Roadtrip with RVshare Joshua Tree to Yuma

As you travel with your family on this road trip from Joshua Tree to Yuma, you are likely to find plenty in nature to explore. With that being said, make sure that you bring a toy hauler with you so that you can have your family's bikes and ATVs during the trip. Anyone who has an interest in dinosaurs will want to make a stop at the Cabazon Dinosaurs Adventure, where you can dig for fossils and climb inside of a T-rex. There are also zoos and gardens to explore along the route, but you will want to head south to the west of the Salton Sea to hit the most state parks. Then, take I-8 east to Yuma.

Nearby National Parks

Joshua Tree National Park

The starting point for this road trip is in Joshua Tree National Park, an iconic location in the American Southwest. The park is over 1,200 miles, and so there is plenty of space to explore and things to do. Many like to take their bikes out to this park and ride for hours, but horseback riding and walking are also options. There are climbing routes that you can take as well if you would like to try out rock climbing. There is no light pollution in Joshua Tree National Park, so it's an excellent place to check out the stars and the night sky. Bird watching is also a great activity to enjoy in this area.

Nearby State Parks

Mount San Jacinto State Park

This Joshua Tree to Yuma RV road trip will take you right past Mount San Jacinto State Park. It is a 14,000-acre park with plenty of hiking trails to explore. Traveling to the top of San Jacinto Peak will give you an amazing view of the area. The peak is the highest point in the park, and at about 10,834 feet, it can be a hike for anyone without experience or appropriate conditioning. Skiing, horseback riding, biking, and more can also be enjoyed in this park.

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is a sight to behold, and it is right along the route that you will take for your Joshua Tree to Yuma RV road trip. It is a full 24,700 acres of land, and a lot of this park is filled with forests that are made up of oak and pine trees. More than 100 species of birds can be found in the park, so it is a great place for a birdwatcher to enjoy. There are also over 100 miles of trails in the park, and most of them permit you to ride bicycles or horses on them. This gives you plenty of options to explore the vast area, but you can also explore by foot if you'd like.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

The last California state park that you will find along the way is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Because this state park is made up of mostly desert, so you will want to make sure that you stay hydrated and that your clothing is comfortable for exploring. The park is more than 585,000 acres, so you are likely to see plenty of wildlife. The area is fairly remote, so you can easily explore the canyons via a jeep tour, a horseback riding tour, or an ATV tour. The Borrego Springs, located in the park, serves as an oasis from the heat and is a great place to cool off.

Along the Way

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

This is an animal conservatory near Palm Desert, CA, that is home to more than 40 species of animals native to this area. It is a great place for you to have an up-close experience with animals, and the gardens also grow hundreds of plants that you can learn about during your visit. There are also hiking trails and picnic areas that can be used.

Goat Canyon Trestle

Stopping at the Goat Canyon Trestle Bridge in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park during your road trip from Joshua Tree to Yuma will provide you with an excellent opportunity for pictures. The only way to access the bridge is to embark on a 6-mile hike that takes a bit of experience to conquer. There is no shade on the trail, and the elevation that you encounter is difficult to tackle. If you attempt this hike, make sure that you have a GPS so that you can find your way.

Desert View Tower

The Desert View Tower, near Jacumba Hot Springs, California, is a four-story tower that was designed to commemorate the builders. It was used as a lookout during WWII to ensure that the Nazis did not access the United States via Mexico. The tower also gives you a great view of the surrounding area, so you can check out the boulder park from above. There are also carved faces all over the boulder park, which the kids are sure to enjoy.

Holtville Hot Springs

The Holtsville Hot Springs in Holtville, CA, is a great place to relax and enjoy some time for yourself. There are two outdoor pools. The one is designed for about 10 people, and it has consistently warm temperatures of about 102 degrees. The other is a cooler experience that has a small cascading waterfall that younger visitors tend to enjoy. Bathing suits are required to get into the tubs at this location, and you can fill up water jugs with mineral-rich spring water to take with you when you leave.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Desert Hot Springs, California

While you're on your road trip itinerary from Joshua Tree to Yuma, take some time to explore Desert Hot Springs, CA. This is a city where you'll find some of the purest mineral springs in the state, and there are also several spas and boutique hotels to experience. Palm Springs, CA, is only about 9 miles from this city, so you'll have two neat cities to explore during your trip.

There are several local California campgrounds in the Desert Hot Springs area. These include options like Desert Springs Spa RV Park, which is located in the Coachella Valley. This RV park has a pool, access to the local hot springs, and more than enough space for your RV needs. There are also several California dump stations in the area so that you can offload your gray and black water.

Escondido, California

Escondido, CA, is an area of the state that you'll love for the wineries and vineyards. In fact, this area has some of the best climates in the state for grape growing. This is also a good place to get into nature; Escondido is surrounded by rocky hills that are perfect for explorers who want to see some wildlife. The city's name means "hidden" in Spanish, and it's named this way because it's hidden within a valley.

Escondido campgrounds and RV parks really allow you to experience nature in the area. Places like Escondido RV Resort, which has 127 RV sites also is pet-friendly and has a hot tub and pool that you and your family can relax in. Another pet-friendly RV park is Champagne Lakes RV Resort, which also similar accommodations.

El Centro, California

Considered the county seat of Imperial County, CA, El Centro is a unique location to visit during your itinerary. This city's name means "the center," and this is appropriate considering its centralized location within the county. The city is also the largest city in the nation to be completely below sea level. Every year, El Centro is visited by thousands who want to flock to the Algodones Dunes for its famous off-roading competition.

El Centro is home to several Imperial County campgrounds to consider that have things like full hookups and amenities like hot tubs and pools. A good example is Desert Trails RV Park, which actually has 400 RV sites for visitors using any type of RV. Other options include Rio Bend RV and Golf Resort and Sunbeam Lake RV Resort.

Find Adventure from Joshua Tree to Yuma

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Joshua Tree to Yuma, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Joshua Tree or Yuma.