Introduction:
What? : This popular
destination, located on the edge of the elevated mountain range (at an
elevation of 5,185 feet), provides panoramic views to the south and east, below
you is the Coachella Valley and on the other side you can see San Jacinto Peak behind
Palm Springs. The most recommended time to visit here is at sunset.
Related blogs:
Joshua Tree National Park – Visit planning
Joshua Tree NP – Geology Road (4x4 drive)
Joshua Tree NP – Barker Dam Nature Trail
Joshua Tree NP – Hidden Valley Nature Trail
Joshua Tree NP – Arch Rock Nature Trail
Joshua Tree NP – Cholla Cactus Garden Trail
Where? : Located at the
end of Keys View Road, 19 miles from the west park entrance.
Google Map Link
When ? : Late fall, winter
and spring is the preferred time to visit the Mojave desert, summer is hot.
Due note 1: Water - Always take
more than what you think you need, this is desert and temperature can be hot,
in summer this is extremely hot environment. There is no water available in the
park.
Due note 2: Pets are not
permitted on any trails in the park, except for the paved Oasis of Mara Trail.
Due note 3: There is limited
cell service in Joshua Tree National Park, so make sure to have a park map on
hand.
Due note 4: No gas service
in the park, there are many options near the north and west entrance to the
park, make sure you have enough gas when driving into the park especially if
you are driving down to Highway I-10.
Due note 5: Most of Joshua
Tree trails have little to no cover from the sun, make sure you are coming prepared
especially at the hot summer.
Due note 6: Joshua Tree
National Park has 24 access; you can travel in the park at night or before
sunrise.
Due note 7: At winter evenings
it can be windy and cold at the viewing point, come with the right cloth.
Due note 8: As I wrote the most recommended time to visit here is at sunset, but many others of the park visitors are doing the same. Parking can be challenging, do not come at last minute, come earlier and be patient until parking spot is available.
Due note 9: Keys View is
one of the most easily accessible viewpoints in Joshua Tree. The viewpoint is
just off the parking lot with a short, paved trail.
My thoughts: excellent place
to visit and enjoy the view. From the viewpoint you will have a spectacular
overlook of the Coachella Valley, the Salton Sea, Mt. San Jacinto, Mt. San
Gorgonio, and the San Andreas fault.
The visit:
This viewpoint
is located on the edge of the elevated area of Joshua Tree Park, at this point
the southwest side of the ridge drops nearly a mile in elevation into the
Coachella Valley that was created by the San Andreas Fault.
It is well
worth the 20-minute drive from Park Boulevard junction down Keys View Road (9
miles).
From the view
point you can see on your left the Salton Sea, which is 230 feet below sea
level, the impressive 10,800-foot-high San Jacinto Peak behind Palm Springs,
the I-10 corridor leading to LA covered with wind turbine farms. Further right,
the snow-covered peak of 11,500-foot San Gorgonio Mountain, the tallest
mountain in south of California, is clearly visible.
At sunset you
will not be here alone but as the sun set in the west and darkness progress,
with a cold winter weather you will have less and less people here.
I did stay for
much longer after sunset to take some long exposure night pictures of the Coachella
valley and highway far below the viewpoint and some trailing backlight of car
driving in and out the park road…
www:
https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm
Map:
https://www.nps.gov/carto/hfc/carto/media/JOTRmap1.pdf
Pictures:
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