Joshua Tree National Park, California

The Mojave desert is the only place in the world where the iconic Joshua trees grow. They sprout amid yucca, sci-fi worthy rock formations, and springtime wildflower blooms. Hikers and climbers will never be bored at Joshua Tree National Park with over 100 miles of hiking trails and at least 8,000 climbing routes.

There are nine campgrounds to choose from, and pros know that the first-come, first-serve campgrounds fill up on the weekends from October to May. The best time to snag a weekend spot is arriving early on a Thursday morning. From March to early June, the beautiful wildflowers and moderate temperatures pack the park even during the week.  Some of the campgrounds do close during the summer when the temperatures are not safe.

A few must-knows: Hammocks are not allowed for camping in the park. This is to protect the Joshua Trees!  Also, firewood should be locally-sourced and purchased before arrival (it isn't available on site) To protect the vegetation, it's not okay to use fallen branches.