Road trip · Southern California
Southern California Desert Loop
The loop
Palm Springs, Joshua Tree's boulder fields and the open desert of Death Valley.
Overview line between stops, not turn-by-turn directions.
Stop by stop
- 1
Palm Springs
Suggested: 2 days (full guide: 2–4 days)
~19 mi straight-line from Palm Springs
2Joshua Tree National Park
Suggested: 2 days (full guide: 2–3 days)
~166 mi straight-line from Joshua Tree National Park
3Death Valley National Park
Suggested: 2 days (full guide: 2–4 days)
Quick answers
How many days do I need for the Southern California Desert Loop?
Plan about 6 days to give each of the 3 stops its suggested minimum time, plus extra if you add rest days.
Which order should I visit the stops in?
Palm Springs, then Joshua Tree National Park, then Death Valley National Park. The order keeps each leg as short as possible.
Do any stops on this loop need reservations?
None of the stops is marked as needing an entry reservation, but campgrounds and lodges still fill early in peak season.