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In relation to exploring the most effective pure magnificence on the Southwest Coast, there’s a lot to uncover from The Grand Canyon to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park.
The enduring Grand Canyon, one of many Seven Pure Wonders of the World, is a mere 361.2 miles from Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, which is known for its rock formations and distinctive Joshua tree inhabitants.
It takes about 5.5 hours to drive between the 2 parks, crossing state borders between Arizona and California, so it is smart you’re going to wish to cease alongside the best way and make a nationwide park street journey of it.
We’d suggest you propose at the very least 10-14 days to do a street journey from The Grand Canyon to Joshua Tree, to essentially take advantage of the websites on this area.
On this information, we share our highlights of those two iconic nationwide parks, and share some concepts for what to see on the best way from the Grand Canyon to Joshua Tree.
The Grand Canyon to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park Itinerary
As talked about, the space between The Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree is kind of an extended one, so we suggest breaking it up and seeing another common websites within the area on the best way.
Above is a map of the place we visited on our Grand Canyon to Joshua Tree street journey.
We stopped in Flagstaff, Sedona, Kingman, Pirate Cove, and eventually Joshua Tree.
There have been different locations we may have stopped, which I’ll point out in additional element under.
1. Cease 1: Grand Canyon Nationwide Park South Rim
Earlier than we dive into the stops between The Grand Canon and Joshua Tree, let’s rapidly speak about why you shouldn’t rush off from the Large GC.
Most individuals go to The Grand Canyon for the West Space, the place you’ll find the well-known Grand Canyon Skywalk.
Nonetheless, there are another websites within the nationwide park which are value exploring.
For instance, in The Grand Canyon South Rim, there’s a pretty path known as the Shiny Angel Path, which is what we did earlier than setting off on our street journey.
It was pretty to go to the Grand Canyon within the winter – all the pieces was slower and the later dawn and early sundown instances meant we may very well be extra easeful.
Mountain climbing did show to be troublesome as all trails taking place into the canyon had been lined in ice and snow.
We managed a little bit hour journey down the Shiny Angel Path shifting at a gradual tempo up towards the canyon wall to make sure we had been protected and guarded.
It was nice enjoyable and as soon as once more the ladies enthusiasm to tackle the problem together with their accountability with it amazed me.
There’s one thing concerning the quiet repetitiveness of strolling. It has an uncanny means to harden but soften you on the identical time.
It hardens your bodily physique, your stamina and your resolve, but it opens up an area so that you can dwell extra gently.
To ponder and marvel.
It’s about simplifying, eradicating all distractions and disconnecting from issues that matter.
All that issues is the scrunching of the gravel beneath your toes, the quiet rustle of the breeze, the awe inspiring pure environment and the humorous conversations you may have together with your kids.
There’s no must postpone time with them for different calls for. You may hear, be taught extra about them and naturally reply all their curious questions as greatest you may.
As Savannah mentioned to me, “”I like listening to the sound of strolling over the path.”
I like how she acknowledges the tranquility and worth of that already.
The South Rim Path was one other straightforward one to stroll and benefit from the attractive canyon views.
We took benefit of the 2 scenic drives alongside the South Rim for gorgeous views and sunsets.
Don’t miss the Desert View Drive and the Desert View Watchtower.
The views there have been my favourite with the pink and reddish rocks and the intense inexperienced Colorado River snaking via the canyon.
We even had a rainbow seem!
We cherished all of the Elk lazing about within the snow lined forest on our final day when the snow was actually coming down and we needed to head out.
The deer positive didn’t care and weren’t going anyplace.
Cease 2: Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is a little bit of a detour from path to take from The Grand Canyon to Joshua Tree, but it surely’s solely about an hour’s drive North and effectively value it.
Positioned near the border with Utah, Horseshoe Bend is a pure surprise that defies easy description.
This iconic scene was created by a horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River, which carved into the sandstone and made picturesque scene.
There’s a hike to Horseshoe Bend, which we don’t suggest within the winter, as there’s an fringe of the 1,000-foot cliff! We share extra ideas in our full information to visiting Horseshoe Bend, Arizona.
Cease 3: Williams
Positioned simply 54 miles South of The Grand Canyon is the small city of Williams, which is a superb cease for lunch or a espresso. It takes about an hour to drive there from The Grand Canyon.
You’ll have already stopped in Williams to take the Grand Canyon Railway to the park, but when not, make sure to cease off right here on the best way again.
It’s well-known for its quirky Route 66 sights, from basic Americana-style boutique shops and diners, to Pete’s Route 66 Gasoline Station Museum.
Cease 4: Flagstaff
From Williams, journey 33 miles to Flagstaff in Arizona (35 minutes of driving) the place you may spend a few days exploring all of the websites.
Flagstaff is a metropolis surrounded by nature. It’s the place you’ll find San Francisco Peaks and the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort.
It’s additionally an incredible place to go stargazing because it’s a licensed dark-skies metropolis. Who is aware of, you might even spot a UFO!
Cease 5: Sedona
No journey to Arizona is full with out visiting Sedona in Arizona. It’s well-known for its vortex websites, that are therapeutic power pockets
From Flagstaff, Sedona is a forty five minute drive (29 miles) and might simply be seen in a day or two.
Apart from the vortex websites, Sedona can be filled with purple sandstone formations and winding rivers. It’s a desert paradise with breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.
Sedona is one in all my favourite locations within the USA. We spent 5 days there and loved mountain climbing to spectacular viewpoints and soaking in these purple rock views.
Cease 6: Seligman
You’ll wish to flip again on your self a bit to go to Seligman, a 109 mile journey from Sedona (about 2 hours driving).
This can be a distinctive place in that it’s a census-designated place (in different phrases, it’s a ghost city), on the northern border of Yavapai County.
What makes Seligman distinctive is the quirky present outlets, that are bursting with bric-a-brac gadgets and Route 66 memorabilia.
Cease 7: Kingman
From Seligman, head in direction of Kingman, which is about 72 miles from Seligman and takes simply over 1 hour to drive.
Kingman is one other tiny city on Route 66 and is the place you’ll find the Route 66 Museum, set contained in the Powerhouse Guests Heart.
Take a look at the Locomotive Park and the Kingman Railroad Museum to be taught concerning the city’s railroad historical past.
Take a detour as much as Hackberry Basic Retailer, a museum alongside the well-known Route 66 that includes rustic, nostalgic gadgets from the Seventies.
Cease 8: Mojave Nationwide Protect
The Mojave Nationwide Protect is about 1.5 hours drive from Kingman (83 miles) and is effectively value a cease.
The Mojave Nationwide Protect is a sprawling protect that’s made up of the towering sand dunes of the Kelso Dunes and historic rock formations within the Clark Mountains – the geological variety of the area is nothing in need of awe-inspiring.
Past its pure wonders, the Mojave Desert boasts a vibrant historical past, with proof of historic human presence evident in petroglyphs left behind by indigenous tribes.
We stayed at Pirate Cove Resort whereas we explored Lake Havasu Metropolis and Mojave Nationwide Protect.
Cease 9: Lake Havasu Metropolis
Drive South to Lake Havasu Metropolis, a 72 mile journey that takes about 1.5 hour to drive from Mojave Nationwide Protect.
The town is famend for the long-lasting London Bridge, which was transported and painstakingly reconstructed right here, creating a novel juxtaposition of Previous World allure towards the rugged desert backdrop.
Past this architectural marvel, Lake Havasu Metropolis has tons of out of doors actions to occupy your self with, from leisurely beachcombing to adrenaline-pumping water sports activities.
The town additionally has a vibrant cultural scene, and there’s all the time a bar with dwell music, loads of artwork galleries with common occasions, bustling native markets, and extra, making it a worthwhile vacation spot to spend a couple of days.
Cease 10: Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
After a two night time break at Pirate Cove Resort on the border of Arizona and California we headed to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, a 2 hour drive from Lake Havasu Metropolis (149 miles).
Similar to we fell in love with the Saguaro Cactus in Tucson, we fell in love with the Joshua bushes right here.
What attractive bushes that may be seen all through the Nationwide Park amongst the outcropping of rocks. The surroundings is exclusive and spectacular.
We loved a couple of quick hikes: the Hidden Valley Path, the place cattle rustlers used to cover their stolen cattle, and the Barton Rattling.
The sundown from Key Views was out of this world. I’m so glad we determined eventually minute to show again type the actually lengthy Pinto Basin Drive to go right here as an alternative.
Following your intestine takes you to your coronary heart’s happiness.
How To Prolong This Grand Canyon to Joshua Tree Highway Journey
When you have extra time at your disposal and wish to discover extra nationwide parks and nature websites, then you can prolong your journey by the next methods:
- Earlier than you go to The Grand Canyon, add a cease at Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park and Antelope Canyon. Positioned North of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon is known for its pink and purple rocky cliffs and towering spires. It’s one in all our favourite nationwide parks within the USA.
- Additionally North of the Grand Canyon is Zion Nationwide Park, which is known for it’s purple mountain peaks, adventurous hikes, and mountain climbing the Narrows (river via the slim canyon)
- Head in direction of San Diego and cease off at Coachella Valley on the best way.
- If you attain Kingman, you can make a detour as much as Las Vegas to see The Valley of Fireplace, Purple Rock Canyon Nationwide Conservation Space, and naturally, Dying Valley Nationwide Park, the most well liked place on earth! It’s an incredible spot to spend a day or two. We’d undoubtedly suggest Dying Valley and this space for a household spring trip.
Ideas For Highway Tripping in an RV
- For those who might help it, don’t depart your slides out to your RV throughout a snowstorm. As we had been accessing Goldie whereas we had been staying within the Yavapai Lodge, we had put our slides out and stored them out. What a problem sweeping off all of the snow that had gathered on high of them when it was time to depart. We couldn’t shut them till it was all off.
- Don’t keep in an RV park in excessive climate. It’s simply not well worth the threat of a possible pipe burst within the journey trailer. As soon as we noticed the temperatures had been going to dip into the teenagers and as little as 5F, we knew it was time to depart the Grand Canyon. We all know Goldie can deal with a low of 23 however we didn’t wish to threat going decrease and her breaking. We’d then be screwed with out a house and a ruined America Unplugged RV journey. So we bailed out of there three days earlier.
- I don’t like leaving the van to remain in a lodge, but when I do, get one with free parking.
- California gas is pricey!! As quickly as we crossed the border from Arizona to California the gas went from $2.40 to $4.40. We put the automobile in reverse to fill her up in Arizona! That’s an insane value distinction. The crowds have additionally returned. There are extra individuals in California than my total nation of Australia, so that you guess we’re noticing it.
- Get your personal meals from grocery shops and pack a picnic. There are normally picnic areas with picnic tables in most of those stops – it’s an effective way to economize.
- When you have youngsters, make sure to take them on the Vary Packages. The women embraced the Junior Ranger applications within the Grand Canyon and the Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. I like how this program engages youngsters to the expertise they’ve with nature. By means of it they be taught all concerning the natural world, however extra importantly the way to worth nationwide parks and why they need to.
The place To Keep Between The Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree
Beneath are the place we stayed once we visited The Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree.
Yavapai Lodge
We jumped out of Goldie for 3 nights to expertise Yavapai Lodge. We wished to see if it was choice for you whenever you go to the Grand Canyon! Guess what? It’s.
Despite the fact that I missed Goldie, I did like our keep at Yavapai Lodge. It’s a fundamental lodge room however the rooms had been clear and comfy – you received’t be in them a lot – and the service was wonderful.
We actually loved the Yavapai Tavern in the principle foyer space and ate there a few nights and watched the Tremendous Bowl. You may sit by the hearth and use their foyer Wi-Fi.
They don’t have it within the rooms as a result of Grand Canyon – exit and discover it.
It’s additionally centrally situated between the Village and the Customer Heart. You can stroll (or bike) to both (perhaps a mile every approach), however there’s a shuttle cease right here.
It’s additionally proper subsequent to the most important normal retailer within the park.
Pirate Cove Resort
Pirates Cove Resort is in the midst of the desert on the Colorado River. It’s spectacular surroundings and ideal for many who love off-roading, atv adventures, tenting and boating.
Pirates Cove is about up for summer season enjoyable with its outside adventures and river seaside. Sadly, it was too chilly for us to essentially get pleasure from it and it was very quiet.
Though we left on the day an occasion was beginning for the weekend that was going to draw 1,200 individuals!!
This RV resort is very large. Our camp website was remoted and two miles away from the principle space the place the eating places are. It was so fairly and peaceable.
I cherished watching the dawn over the river early every morning. It was implausible to remain by the Colorado River after seeing the masterpiece it carved up within the Grand Canyon.
The Colorado River is the border between Arizona and Colorado. It’s additionally the time zone change from Mountain to Pacific. I cherished rising early and having an early dawn and sundown.
Twentynine Palms RV Resort
Twentynine Palms is a pleasant RV resort with cottages simply exterior the Joshua Tree Nationwide Park.
There are a great deal of facilities together with a very heat indoor pool, sauna and health heart.
Ultimate Ideas
As we had been watching the spectacular sundown in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, I watched my women soak it up and play on the identical time.
I”m so grateful they’ve the chance to be with nature on this approach. They received’t understand but the calming affect it has on their life.
I hope they eternally perceive how nature can convey them a lot pleasure and peace and the way straightforward it’s to entry it throughout the typically utter confusion of life.
I’m grateful I get to spend this time with them and present them the websites between The Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree.
Nature helps to show them into fierce warriors wrapped in a mild softness.
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