Park Comparison
Joshua Tree vs Redwood National and State Parks
Two iconic parks, different strengths. Here's how they stack up.
Updated
The Quick Take
Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree is where two desert ecosystems collide on 1,234 square miles of granite boulders, dagger-leafed yuccas, and some of the darkest skies in the contiguous United States. The park is a sport-climbing capital, a Gold-tier International Dark Sky Park, and an easy two-hour drive from Los Angeles. The trade-off is heat: summer highs hit 113°F and the park empties from June through September. Visit October through April or accept that hiking happens before sunrise.
Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood National and State Parks protects the world's tallest living trees (coast redwoods topping 379 feet) across 206 square miles of Northern California's foggy coast. Entry is free, the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway runs 31 miles through old-growth groves, and Roosevelt elk graze in open prairies along the road. The trade-off is the location: it's a six-hour drive from San Francisco with no major airport nearby, and the coast is wet and cool nine months of the year.
At a Glance
The Crowd Picture
Both parks draw millions, but the crowd experience is different.
Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree pulled in 3 million visitors in 2024, with crowds clustering around Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, and Keys View on weekends from October through April. March is the peak month; wildflower chasers arrive en masse, and parking at Barker Dam fills before 9 a.m. The good news is the park's geometry: 800,000 acres of boulder maze means you can walk five minutes from any trailhead and find solitude. Summer is empty for obvious reasons: the heat is dangerous.
Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood's 623,000 annual visitors spread across multiple state and national park units along a 40-mile coastal corridor, which keeps things genuinely uncrowded. July and August are peak, but even then, Lady Bird Johnson Grove only fills mid-morning. Fern Canyon's narrow access road and timed-entry permit (June through August) cap visitor flow at the most popular site. Step into any old-growth grove past the first hundred yards and you'll often have giant trees entirely to yourself.
When to Go
Click any month to see how conditions compare side-by-side.
Trails & Activities
Both parks are trail-rich, but they cater to different trip styles.
Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree's 190 miles of trail are mostly short, mostly desert, and consistently weird in the best way. Hidden Valley Trail loops a one-mile boulder amphitheater that climbers use as their living room. Ryan Mountain climbs 1,000 feet in three miles to a 360-degree view of three desert basins. Lost Palms Oasis Trail leads three miles to a hidden palm grove. Rock climbing is the real headline: thousands of established routes make this one of the world's premier sport-climbing destinations.
Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood's 125 miles of trail are mostly easy and mostly short, designed to put you next to giants without making you earn it. Lady Bird Johnson Grove is a paved 1.4-mile loop through old growth that anyone can do. Fern Canyon Trail walks a stream through 50-foot walls draped entirely in ferns (the location stunt-doubled for the Jurassic Park sequel). Tall Trees Trail requires a permit but leads to the tallest known tree on Earth. Coastal Trail's Gold Bluffs section adds 600 feet of elevation and ocean views.
Camping
Joshua Tree National Park offers significantly more camping options.
The Bottom Line
Choose Joshua Tree if you...
- Want to experience Joshua Trees
- Are looking for world-class stargazing
- Want more trail options (190 miles vs 125)
Choose Redwood National and State Parks if you...
- Want to experience Coast Redwoods (Tallest Trees on Earth)
- Are looking for world-class wildlife viewing
- Are traveling on a budget
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Joshua Tree or Redwood National and State Parks?
It depends on what you're looking for. Joshua Tree is known for Joshua Trees, while Redwood National and State Parks is known for Coast Redwoods (Tallest Trees on Earth). Redwood National and State Parks is less crowded, making it the better pick if solitude matters to you.
Is Joshua Tree or Redwood National and State Parks more crowded?
Joshua Tree has a congestion index of 5.7/10 and receives 3.0M visitors per year. Redwood National and State Parks scores 3.2/10 with 623K annual visitors. Redwood National and State Parks is the quieter option.
When is the best time to visit Joshua Tree vs Redwood National and State Parks?
The best month to visit Joshua Tree is February, while Redwood National and State Parks is best visited in August. The different peak seasons mean you could visit one in spring and the other in fall.
Which has better hiking, Joshua Tree or Redwood National and State Parks?
Joshua Tree has 190 trail miles and Redwood National and State Parks has 125. Joshua Tree offers significantly more trail variety.
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