Listed among the greatest albums of all time, U2’s “The Joshua Tree” was released in 1987, but it wasn’t until November 2023 that we truly experienced it, driving the long, often isolated desert drive from Phoenix to Joshua Tree National Park (quicker access via the California coast, but with fewer stretches of deserted highway). 

Inspired by their experiences with America and its culture, the album was written to evoke a sense of the open spaces of the American west. Even though the album’s classic Joshua Tree photo was taken 200 miles away, Joshua Tree National Park is still the best place to experience the album- windows down and volume up.

We stayed 2 nights at the Jumbo Rocks campground, surrounded by the most amazing scenery. By far my most favorite part of the park, there are several formal trails, or you can set off on your own from any of the roadside pullouts. 

The Cactus Garden must be seen to be believed- an isolated grove of teddy bear cactus appearing like a mirage on the desert floor. 

A more vigorous experience (which requires some pre-planning to bring headlamps) is a hike up Ryan Mountain to watch the sun set over the desert (it’s also one of the few places to get cell service in the park – two days of messages popped up at the top!). After the sun goes down, it’s a long, dark hike back down the mountain- an experience in itself. 

Notes: The park gets very crowded during much of the year, and will often close to visitors by mid-morning in peak season. There is no water (or food) available in the park, so all visitors must bring their own. Camp sites should be booked long in advance through the park’s website. For something a bit different, there is a yurt campground just outside of the park.