From the stunning desert sunsets along the Skull Rock Trail to the charming quirky towns, these are some of the best Instagram spots in Joshua Tree National Park! Having explored here for four days, I have insight to the best spots for your next trip to California! I hope you enjoy adventuring to these great spots in Joshua Tree!

5 Best Instagram Spots in Joshua Tree

You will fall in love with the unique rock formations, epic “Joshua Trees” and crazy Cholla Cactus Gardens while taking the most Instagramable photos in Joshua Tree! 

Where to Stay in Joshua Tree

Airbnb’s are truly one of my favorite things to research, so I have put together a list of my top recommendations for where to stay when visiting Joshua Tree. First, there are two main entrances into the park. The north entrance, near Twentynine Palms, and the west entrance, Joshua Tree town, are the most convenient locations for visiting. Note, you must have a park pass, which is good for 7 days, and can be purchased at either of the entrances!

Here are the top 4 Airbnb’s I recommend for your stay in Joshua Tree:

Twentynine Palms Boho Retreat: A new, modern boho retreat with 3 bedrooms, a hot tub and soaking tub! With desert views and only three minutes to the entrance of Joshua Tree park, this place is perfect for a group or a romantic couple’s stay!

A Stargazer Stay with a Shipping Container Pool: Located only 10 minutes from Giant Rock, this three bedroom home is perfect for stargazing and spending quality time outdoors. With mountain views from the shipping container pool, and 5 acres to hangout in the backyard, this is a great place to relax and watch the stars! The bathrooms are also creatively designed with a double rain-head shower, soaking tub, and access to open the door to the outdoors. 

Modern 2 Bedroom Stay in Joshua Tree: This luxurious, modern stay is minimal yet comfortable for a perfect stay near the park. With a backyard pool and in-ground hot tub, you will be able to hang out at the home all day feeling relaxed. All main attractions are less than a 10 minute drive. This Airbnb in Joshua Tree also features moody, romantic vibes for you and your lover to enjoy a peaceful stay. 

Soak in the beauty of Joshua Tree: Literally, soak in a tub, or two, while stargazing in this peaceful desert hideaway. Featuring space to accommodate up to 8 guests, this is the perfect Airbnb for a group of friends or family. With ample amenities both indoor and out, you will be able to make yourself feel right at home. An 8-person dining table, outdoor kitchen, side-by-side cowboy tubs, and hammocks will be all you need for a comfortable, relaxing stay. 

My favorite Instagram Spots in Joshua Tree

1. Cap Rock, Joshua Tree – So technically, the best spot is across the road from Cap Rock when the sun is setting! We parked on the pull off by cap rock, and walked across the road to the field of tons of Joshua Trees and mountain views behind. The photos below are all at this location! Here are the exact coordinates of this Instagramable spot in Joshua Tree National Park. 

2. Skull Rock Trail at Sunset – this was one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen, at it made for some dreamy Instagram photos! Anywhere near skull rock is perfect for Instagram photos as the area is large, and the views are beautiful! We also took a few road photos here, but be sure to keep an eye out for traffic! We went during the week and found that it was not too busy. 

3. Park Blvd Road – Dreamy, desert, road pictures are a must when visiting Joshua Tree! These were some of my favorite Instagram photos in Joshua Tree as the views of the Joshua Trees were stunning and the light was phenomenal! Highly recommend entering the park from Twentynine palms and driving in that entrance as it is less busy, so you will be able to stop along the road for those epic pictures!

4. Keys View in Joshua Tree – A panoramic view of the mountains, the San Andreas Fault and Coachella Valley. A winding road leading up to the point is the perfect place to watch the sunset and capture dreamy Instagram photos! Pack a jacket as it does get a bit colder up there! 

How to get to keys view

Keys View is a 20 minute drive from Park Boulevard. There is parking directly beside the path to the viewing area. This road has lots of twists and turns but is very manageable. 

5. Cholla Cactus Gardens – Sunset at the Cholla Cactus Gardens are absolutely beautiful! Beware, these plants may look warm and fuzzy, but they can be extremely dangerous if you get to close! It is best to stay on the trail and be mindful of where you are walking. Regardless, this is a must-stop in Joshua Tree park! Walking among these uniquely charismatic cacti is an experience that feels straight out of a surreal painting.

A bonus spot I recommend stopping at for an Instagramable worthy Joshua Tree picture is at the Hidden Valley Nature Trailhead. This is an easy 1 mile loop that features unique rock formations, and views of famous name-say Joshua Trees!

Tips for Taking Photos in Joshua Tree National Park

My biggest advice for photography in Joshua Tree is to always be mindful of the people and landscape around you. Although the desert is stunning, some of the plants may be harmful and it is always important to stay on the path when wandering to preserve nature’s beauty! Although it would be cool to take photos on the epic winding roads all of sunset, there are others who also may want the same opportunity. The best thing is, the sunsets tend to last way longer than anywhere I have ever been, so there is plenty of time for opportunity. 

I recommend getting into the park an hour to 90 minutes prior to sunset to allow for plenty of stops, time to park, and time to walk to the best spots!

Ultimately, I hope this helps you plan your next stop to Joshua Tree to capture the best Instagram-worthy photos in the stunning desert landscape. 

Looking for a videographer to film your elopement or destination wedding in one of these epic National Parks? Reach out to Chelsea today to chat all the details – and don’t worry, bloopers will be included! 

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