California Desert to Arizona Red Rocks. Cross two states and three deserts on a journey from the otherworldly Joshua Tree landscape through Palm Springs glamour, a haunted ghost town, and into Sedona's spiritual red rock country.
The Joshua Tree to Sedona route is one of the most visually dramatic desert drives in the American Southwest. In 650 kilometers, you cross from California's high desert into Arizona's red rock country, passing through landscapes that shift from alien rock gardens to mid-century glamour to haunted mining towns to spiritual vortex sites.
This is not a flat, empty desert drive. The route climbs from below sea level near Palm Springs to over 7,000 feet at Mingus Mountain, then drops into the Verde Valley with Sedona's crimson buttes rising ahead of you. Every hour behind the wheel brings a completely different geological story.
What makes this route special is the contrast between human and natural history. Joshua Tree is 800,000 acres of untouched wilderness. Palm Springs is mid-century architecture and hot springs. Jerome was a lawless copper boomtown that became a ghost town and then an artist colony. And Sedona sits at the intersection of geology, spirituality, and some of the best hiking in the western United States.
4 days through two states, three deserts, and enough jaw-dropping views to fill a photography portfolio.
Enter through the West Entrance (Joshua Tree town). Park Boulevard connects the Mojave and Colorado Desert ecosystems. $30 per vehicle entrance fee, valid for 7 days. Arrive before 9 AM to beat crowds and heat.
Short 1.7-mile loop trail. The skull-shaped granite formation is one of the most photographed spots in the park. Best light is late afternoon.
Drive up to 5,185 feet for panoramic views of the Coachella Valley, Salton Sea, and on clear days, Mexico. Sunset here is unforgettable.
Short boardwalk loop through a dense field of teddy bear cholla. Do not touch them. Bring tweezers just in case. Best photographed in backlight near sunrise or sunset.
Crossroads Cafe in Joshua Tree is the local favorite. La Copine (if open) serves inventive desert cuisine. Stock up on water and snacks before entering the park.
Detour through this mid-century modern mecca. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes you from the desert floor to 8,516 feet in 10 minutes. The Design District on North Palm Canyon Drive has galleries and vintage shops.
Two Waters Spa at the Agua Caliente resort sits on natural hot mineral springs. Day passes available. A perfect way to recharge before the long drive to Arizona.
Charming courthouse square with galleries, restaurants, and the famous Whiskey Row. At 5,400 feet elevation, temperatures are 20+ degrees cooler than the desert floor. Walk the tree-lined streets and grab dinner on the square.
Whiskey Row on Montezuma Street has historic saloons dating to the 1860s. The Palace Restaurant & Saloon is the oldest bar in Arizona. Farm Provisions does excellent local-sourced food.
Once a copper mining boomtown of 15,000 people, now a hillside art colony of 450. The town is clinging to Cleopatra Hill at a 30-degree angle. The Jerome Grand Hotel is famously haunted. Ghost tours run nightly at 7 PM ($20/person).
The Douglas Mansion museum tells the full mining history. $7 admission. The views from the mansion grounds stretch 50 miles across the Verde Valley to the red rocks of Sedona.
The drive down from Jerome on 89A is one of the most dramatic switchback roads in Arizona. 15 hairpin turns with no guardrails in places. Take it slow and pull over for photos. The red rock views start appearing as you descend.
Arrive in Sedona for dinner. Elote Cafe serves unforgettable Mexican-inspired cuisine (no reservations, expect a wait). Mariposa Latin Grill has the best patio views of any restaurant in Sedona.
One of Sedona's four famous vortex energy sites. The hike is 1.2 miles round trip but involves steep rock scrambling near the top. Not for those afraid of heights. Arrive at sunrise for solitude and the best red rock glow. Parking fills by 8 AM.
3.6-mile loop around two iconic formations. Another vortex site. The trail is well-marked and mostly flat. You can scramble partway up Bell Rock for incredible 360-degree views.
A Catholic chapel built directly into the red rock buttes in 1956. Free to visit. The architecture alone is worth the stop. Views from the parking lot are stunning.
Modeled after a traditional Mexican village. Galleries, artisan shops, and restaurants in a beautiful courtyard setting. Great place to pick up Sedona art and end the trip.
The Hudson is great for upscale Southwestern cuisine with red rock views. For casual, hit up the Sedona Pizza Company. Creekside Coffee does the best breakfast in town.
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Desert driving has different rules. Here is what you need to know before you go.
Desert heat is no joke. Summer temperatures in Joshua Tree and the low desert regularly exceed 110F (43C). Carry at least 1 gallon of water per person per day. Spring and fall are the ideal travel seasons.
Joshua Tree National Park charges a $30 per vehicle entrance fee. An America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers all national parks and is worth it if you visit more than two parks per year.
Sedona has four recognized vortex energy sites: Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon, and Airport Mesa. Whether you believe in vortex energy or not, these sites offer the best hiking and photography in the area.
Jerome ghost tours run nightly at 7 PM and cost $20 per person. The Jerome Grand Hotel was built as a hospital in 1927 and is considered one of the most haunted buildings in Arizona. Book a room if you dare.
Cell service is unreliable through Joshua Tree National Park and along the Jerome switchbacks on 89A. Download offline maps for the entire route before you leave.
Crosses from California Mojave Desert into Arizona high desert
Elevation range: near sea level to 7,023 ft (Mingus Mountain)
Highlights: Joshua trees, red rocks, ghost towns, vortex sites
Best photography months: October, November, March
October through April is ideal. Summer temperatures in the low desert regularly exceed 110F, making outdoor activities dangerous. Fall offers warm days and cool nights with golden light for photography. Winter is mild in Sedona (40-60F) and perfect for hiking. Spring brings wildflower blooms in Joshua Tree.
No. The entire route follows paved highways and well-maintained roads. A standard car handles everything, including the Jerome switchbacks and Joshua Tree park roads. However, some Sedona trailheads have unpaved access roads where higher clearance helps.
Absolutely. Setting aside the energy claims, the four vortex sites (Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon, Airport Mesa) happen to be the most scenic and photogenic hiking destinations in Sedona. You are visiting for the views and trails regardless.
The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. If you plan to visit multiple national parks, the America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers all of them. Camping inside the park ranges from $15-$25 per night.
Jerome has been called the most haunted town in America. The Jerome Grand Hotel, originally a miners hospital built in 1927, reports frequent paranormal activity. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the ghost tours ($20/person, nightly at 7 PM) are entertaining and teach you the town's wild mining history.
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