Joshua Tree in December

[fotoguy]

We are headed to Blackrock Campground in Joshua tree after xmas for a week. Anybody have suggestions on what to do with the kids 7,12 and 14. I suppose the obvious is some hiking. Any special or spectacular trails anyone has done. I heard about the Geography trail by car or 4 wheel drive. Has anyone done that! What about stopping in Palm Springs. Any activities there. Thanks for suggestions in advance.

[fotoguy]

We are headed to Blackrock Campground in Joshua tree after xmas for a week. Anybody have suggestions on what to do with the kids 7,12 and 14. I suppose the obvious is some hiking. Any special or spectacular trails anyone has done. I heard about the Geography trail by car or 4 wheel drive. Has anyone done that! What about stopping in Palm Springs. Any activities there. Thanks for suggestions in advance.

[ItstheTrip]

There are some trails out of Blackrock CG, but nothing I'd call spectacular. If you would consider changing your JTNP destination, I'd really recommend going just 20 miles further east to the Indian Cove campground area. It is bordered by the Wonderland of Rocks and that's an area just about guarenteed to hold the interest of any kid -- and many adults. The geology Trail is pretty interesting, but its a day-long car trip on dirt roads. Any recent heavy rains in the area make parts of the road iffy. Ask a ranger for road conditions first!

Palm Springs is an 'on the way' destination since it is at least 45-60 minute drive (one-way) from Blackrock CG. But if you're willing to make the drive, then the Palm Springs Tram is the best bet. But plan on spending most of a day doing that to make it worthwhile. Look it up on-line for details.

Not much else to see/do in the winter in Morongo Basin, which generally includes Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and 29 Palms. 4-wheel driving is great, but *never* venture into the desert out there alone - we used to do SAR there and even in winter it is possible to get in a lot of trouble in off-road areas.

[GraciesMom]

I was stationed in 29 Palms for 6 years . . . took the kids back out there in June of '06. They were 15 and 16 at the time and had a ball climbing all the rock formations in the park. We toured the Marine Corps base and they got to see planes and tanks and other things. There's a place just west of Yucca Valley called Pioneer Town . . . it was a movie set and someone bought it and turned it into a tourist area . . . lots of old authentic buildings, a saloon, a hotel, etc. The tram in Palm Springs is cool and there are lots of touristy things to do there. The most awesome thing about camping in that part of the desert is watching the moon come up so fast and then the star display is spectacular. There is a nice hike from Joshua Tree to the "oasis" . . . totally out of place in the middle of the desert . . . palms, grasses, water . . .

Stop by the visitor's center in 29 Palms . . . I'm sure they have tons of info on things to do there nowadays, since my info is old. I'm goign there with a few companions the first two weeks of January before Quartzite. Just want to see how the base has expanded and to remember good times in the monument!!