Where to shoot the Milky way at Joshua tree National Park, California

Hi DPreviewers,

Few weeks back I had requested some input from you all about what to see in LA and the recommendations were great, let me first thank you all for that. I am planning my first trip outside the city at Joshua Tree National Park around the first weekend in February mainly to try to shoot the Milkyway since the conditions seem ideal. I had some questions for the same please see below:

1.Any pointers where I should stay over night, are the camp ground the best place to stay, nothing seems to be available for a single person tent. Everything seems to be for larger groups of 7 or more people.

2. Would it ideal if I just drove there in the evening from LA and took pictures, and drove back the following morning? Is that how it is usually done for individual or small groups? Is the park open to allow people to walk in and take pictures like that?

3. The park is obviously huge, but am sure there are really good locations that are preferred for milkyway shots. Any pointers on that would be great.

4. It might seem weird but if someone locally wants to join me for the shoot, am open to that too.

thank you in advance for your recommendations.

flatline!

I'm writing this from a motel room in Yucca Valley just outside of Joshua Tree. I shot there yesterday and several time previously. A good place to shoot from is the area in and around Hidden Valley. There is camping and restroom facilities nearby. In Hidden Valley, there are places where you will be surrounded by granite formations which can be used to block any light from the horizons. It should be a good place for shooting the sky.

Hi Leon,

What is the motel you are staying at? Can you shoot me a quick map link? Would you recommend staying at the motel and just walking to the park to take pictures? You mentioned you were staying at Yucca right outside JTNP, so how far is this place, I am curious. When I looked at the map it looked there is a small town out there, but not sure whats a good and safe location to stay.

When you go out to shoot do you usually drive out to the park and then walk up from the parking lot to reach some of the spots where the trees and rock formations are located?

Thank you,

Roy

There are plenty of places to stay in Yucca, Joshua Tree, or 29 Palms (which is a little further).

I would at least spend one day there to hike around and enjoy the park.

I have had good luck in the area around Jumbo Rocks campground, if you want boulders in your foreground. The area between Skull Rock and the campground is good. If you want Joshua trees, the areas on either side of the first part of Geology Tour road are good. Roadside Rock is easy to get to and is a good spot. If you stop at the ranger station outside the park in Joshua Tree, rangers can recommend locations for Joshua trees or boulders. They will also tell you that all trails close at sunset. I have been there about 20 times for Milky Way photography and have never run into a ranger at night. THE ENTRANCE TO Hidden Valley is sometimes closed at night -- it says day use only -- but it is usually open in my experience.

Aside from the fact this thread is four years old, Joshua Tree National Park is currently closed to visitors until further notice.