Joshua Tree Campout: Stargazing, Rock Formations & Hot Springs!
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Must be a member or member's guest to attend
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Overview
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Status |
Normal |
Start Time |
Mar 28, 2025 (Friday)
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End Time |
Mar 31, 2025 (Monday)
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Location |
- Joshua Tree |
Category |
Signature |
Club |
Urban Diversion |
Region |
UD-San Francisco Signature
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Sharing |
All Clubs |
Event Host |
Christina Atkinson |
Max Attendees |
14 |
Max Guests |
User Max |
Cost Range |
Co-Op Event
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4 Days/3 Nights Camping Adventure by Joshua Tree - Where the dark night sky, unique rock formations, and the iconic Joshua trees await! We've carefully chosen the ultimate "new moon" weekend, ensuring the darkest skies for an unparalleled stargazing experience and the perfect opportunity for capturing breathtaking dark sky photography. As a special touch, we'll indulge in a natural hot spring on our way home. Optional add-ons include a local outdoor rock climbing course. This is a trip you do not want to miss! |
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Basic Details: |
Joshua Tree Campout:
Stunning Stargazing, Striking rock formations & Hot Springs Paradise!

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Joshua Tree is world-renowned for its otherworldly landscapes, vibrant plant life, and mesmerizing starry skies. Whether you’re drawn to its legendary rock climbing, epic stargazing, or unique desert beauty, this place offers an adventure like no other. Our Joshua Tree trips fill up fast—don’t miss your chance to explore this stunning desert oasis. Secure your spot now for a camping experience you won’t forget!
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Attractions:
- Joshua Tree is an International Dark Sky Park...
- Meaning some of the darkest night skies in California. Offering many visitors the chance to admire the stars and Milky Way at the brightest density they have ever seen in their lives.
- The iconic Joshua Trees!
- Large Rock formations, perfect for climbing or taking pictures!
- Outdoor climbing classes
- Ancient Petroglyphs and ruins
- Unique desert plant life and wildlife
- Great hikes with amazing views
- HOT SPRINGS! (the perfect location, on our way home)
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Trip Overview:
Type: Car Camping/Campground Trip
Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate
- 4 days / 3 nights camping
- 6-8 total miles/day, day-hikes
- 1-2 hours driving/day at the park
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**This day adventure is the perfect time to visit the park. optionally making stops to view: Jumbo Rocks, Hidden Oasis, Joshua Tree Forests, Mountain Peaks, Lost Ruins, and amazing natural Hot Springs!** |
What we have in store for you: |
Itinerary:
***Subject to change***
Friday:
Everyone will leave as early as possible depending on schedules, and drive 8 hours down to our private campsite in the Northwest section of the park. Eight hours is a long drive, but we promise it's very worth it! The best way to make time fly? Carpool with other UD friends! Bonus: help save on the cost of gas. Make sure to bring plenty of road trip snacks, and grab some dinner on the way down. Your host will have dinner prepared for the group to enjoy once you arrive for the evening. We'll set up camp, have some welcome drinks, and sit around the campfire enjoying the stars.

Saturday:
Your host will be making a hearty home-cooked breakfast, while everyone gets ready for the day's hike. Your host will also put out sack lunch supplies, and everyone will prepare their own trail lunches and snacks for the day. Then we're off for an epic adventure! Throughout the day we will visit:
- Gorgeous Day hike in Joshua Tree:
- Hike to an old mine, with an abandoned miners house at the summit, this is an epic hike with amazing views from the top! This hike also takes us through a gorgeous spance of joshua trees, with lots of pictures to be taken, and expansive vistas to be seen.
- Easy hike to Jumbo Rocks and Skull Rock These epic rock formations are huge, and will take your breathe away when you see them in person! We will climb, scramble, and explore these formations as we make our way to Skull Rock.
- Keys View - A driving tour to an amazing vista, Keys view will let us look over a large expanse of the park and even the San Andreas Fault. Great spot for sunset.

Sunday:
Rise and shine! Your host will have coffee and breakfast going, we will pack trail lunches, pack up our campsites, and then we're off on our day! If you are driving back to the Bay Area today, heading out after our mid morning hike is recommended.
Today, we will:
- Hike to the Hidden Valley Native Cholla Catcus expanse... a truely awesome site to see.
- The Famous Heart Rock and boulder fields
- Joshua tree forest
- Natural Hot Springs

Sunday Afternoon and Evening:
Head to the hot springs!
After we have had all our fun in Joshua Tree on Sunday afternoon, we will drive to our hot springs campsite location, and enjoy a night of soaking in the natural Hot Springs! (If you are able to stay for the 3rd night at the hot springs, we highly recommend it!)
We're planning to grab dinner together at a delightful spot in the town of Joshua Tree on our way to the hot springs (cost not included). It's a great opportunity to check out the cute town of J-tree, and bond over a delicious meal out on the town!

Monday:
Your host will have coffee going and a light breakfast prepared. Once we finish packing up camp, we will have time for a morning soak in the hot springs. Before we start the drive back home, make sure to exchange info with new UD friends!
--------- If you have any questions, please call/text 415-776-7455 ---------
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Trip Specifics: |

A few side-notes regarding this trip...
Weather:
We will be spending the weekend in the desert, so it will be hotter than the bay area! The desert can also get cold at night. Make sure to pack accordingly!! The daily highs could be anywhere between 65-75 F and the nightly lows between 42-45 F. Review the packing list in the post registration details.
Vehicles: 
There is a maximum of 4 vehicles per group campsite, so let's organize carpools! Comment in the message wall where you will be driving from and we will get into groups to reduce the number of vehicles! It is a roughly 8 hour drive from SF
Bathrooms and Showers:
There are bathrooms with toilets! No showers, but there's always the hot springs. ;)
Camp Meals:
When you sign up for this trip, use the comments box to let us know if you have any dietary restrictions. Your host will try their best to accommodate. Make sure to bring your own cup (coffee cup and drink cup), plate, bowl, and eating utensils!! This will help reduce our plastic consumption and waste production!
What to bring:
If you need any gear (tents, sleeping bags, etc), let us know. We have some gear but you can also rent gear from REI or Sports Basement. Be sure to reserve your gear well in advance!
Refer to the post registration details for a full packing list. Your host will send more detailed information via email the week of your trip.
Event Includes:
- 4 days/3 nights camping
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All camp breakfasts
- All camp dinners
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Snacks and trail lunches for Saturday
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Group kitchen camping gear (stoves, cooking utensils, etc.)
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Firewood
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Plus an awesome host!
What to Bring:
- Park Entrance Fee for all carpools driving in ($30/vehicle at the park, OR you need a National Park Pass, or you could do it online! Make sure to select the "private vehicle pass" option and select the dates for our trip!)
- Personal camping gear (check post registration for packing list)
- Extra snacks or food for you or to share
- BYOB! (Your host will have limited options for night one, but BYOB for the rest of the weekend)
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