On clear days the vista from Keys View extends beyond Salton Sea to Mexico and is well worth the additional 20-minute drive. If you plan to spend an entire day, there will be time to walk several nature trails. A ranger-led program will add enjoyment and understanding to your visit. Check at visitor centers and on campground bulletin boards for listings, or call ahead and reserve a spot on the popular Desert Queen Ranch guided walking tour. If solitude is what you are after, plan an all-day hike into the backcountry.
Some visitors like to experience the desert from the seat of a mountain bike.
The park offers an extensive network of dirt roads that make for less crowded and safer cycling than the paved main roads. Joshua Tree has gained international attention as a superb rock-climbing area. Many visitors enjoy just watching the rock climbers in action. With more than one day in the park, your options increase. There are nine campgrounds and backcountry camping is permitted.