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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Joshua Tree

8 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Joshua Tree, California

Updated January 31, 2024

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Unusual Attractions in Joshua Tree

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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

Rogue Routes: The Road to Sky’s the Limit

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For all of the images of Hollywood glamour, beach living, and beautiful people, Southern California has a lot of peculiarities that don’t get nearly as much attention. This route from Los Angeles to Twentynine Palms seeks out the strange and novel, providing a refreshing foil to SoCal clichés.

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Explore Joshua Tree, California

Roadside Attractions 2
Collections 2
Art 2
Outsider Architecture 2
Places To Stay 2

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Stories About Joshua Tree

"There's a whole creative world out there that you see little glimpses of," actress Patricia Arquette says of California's High Desert, where her new show is set.

Patricia Arquette Has a Thing for the Weird Art of California's High Desert

"There's some kind of energy in the desert that's very different than anywhere else," she says of the setting of her new Apple TV+ series.
by Matthew Taub

Podcast: World Famous Crochet Museum

Step inside the cutest, most cuddly museum in the desert.
by The Podcast Team

Podcast: The Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
Robert "Robby" Silk—the first and, for now, only competitive chair-sitter—tests his stamina on Antarctica's Cuverville Island.

Meet the Man Who Wants to Make Sitting an Extreme Sport

A day at your desk will not prepare you for this grueling competition.
by Laura Kiniry
It's hard to picture Joshua Tree without its goofy namesakes, but they're in trouble.

The Art and Science of Falling in Love With Joshua Trees

"HeyJTree" is built like a dating site, but it matches readers with the charismatic, threatened plants.
by Jessica Leigh Hester
Historic trash in Joshua Tree National Park.

Sometimes Trash Is Treasured in America's National Parks

Bottles, cans, and more can reveal a long history of industry, recreation, and shenanigans.
by Jessica Leigh Hester
Bob in his Crystal Cave.

A Tribute to Bob Carr, Self-Taught Artist, Philosopher, and Atlas Obscura Inspiration

"The bodhisattva of the high desert will be greatly missed."
by Dylan Thuras

Lists Featuring Joshua Tree

Blue Sky Mausoleum.
Darwin Martin House Complex.
Skylights on the exterior porch made of red cypress.
A restored Wright house on the Burnham Block.

A 12-Stop Road Trip of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Most Surprising Designs

A UFO-inspired church, a futurist gas station, and more deep cuts.

12

Including Blue Sky Mausoleum, The Darwin D. Martin House, and Kentuck Knob

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