Explore the Whimsical Wonderland of Garth's Boulder Gardens
Garth’s Boulder Gardens is a whimsical desert compound where cement teepees and Flintstone-like accommodations are incorporated into the signature boulders that the Joshua Tree region is known for. A ramshackle piano sits in and an open air kitchen, where campers congregate to share stories in the vast wilderness.
To Get There
Free to visit, donations are welcome and help Garth keep the place running
Free to park
Bathrooms on site (port-a-potties)
The Accomodations
You can book one of the many quirky sites or open camp spots on Hipcamp, we ran out of light to find and photograph some of these amazing sites but I will soon! You can see a lot of the amazing creations on Hipcamp.
Photo from Hipcamp
Photo from Hipcamp
Photo from Hipcamp
When To Go
The best time of year to visit Joshua Tree National Park is March-May and October-November.
Avoid July & August, too hot to do anything.
The winter months of December - February are cold but still doable if you prefer off season travel.
June and September are on the hotter side, but if you avoid midday hiking you would be okay.
The History
Garth, the mastermind behind this creative mecca, bought forty acres of land in 1981. He wanted to creative a sustainable ecosystem in the desert. He has embraced the local horticulture to create shade and grow fruit trees on the property. Originally he had to haul in most of his water, but now he has a well and has created a rock pool and a sauna on site.
I hope this helps you plan your trip! Do you have any more insights on things to do in Joshua Tree? Leave them in the comments below.
These are some of my favorite sites for finding places to stay, book tours, and more:
Booking.com for the best hotel deals
Get Your Guide to book a variety of tours and activities
Expedia for flights, hotels, rental cars and more.
Herschel for nice luggage that’s made to last
