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We plan to leave Vegas on November 1 to head to Death Valley National Park. Is it practical to try to also visit Joshua Tree within 3 days?

Answer

It is definitely possible to visit both Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park within 3 days, but it will require some driving and careful planning to make the most of your time. The two parks are not extremely close to each other, so you’ll need to factor in travel time between the two. However, if you're comfortable with driving and want to maximize your experience, it can be done. Here's a suggested itinerary for your trip:

Day 1: Las Vegas to Death Valley National Park
Leaving Las Vegas on November 1st, you can head to Death Valley, which is about a 2-hour drive (120 miles). You’ll have time to visit some of the park’s iconic sites, such as Furnace Creek, Zabriskie Point, Dante’s View, and Badwater Basin (the lowest point in North America). Depending on how much time you have, you could also visit Golden Canyon or Mosaic Canyon.

Day 2: Death Valley to Joshua Tree National Park
After exploring Death Valley on Day 1, you’ll drive from Death Valley to Joshua Tree on Day 2. The drive between the two parks is about 4-5 hours (around 270 miles), depending on the route. You can head south through the Mojave Desert and arrive in Joshua Tree in the afternoon or early evening.

Once in Joshua Tree, you’ll have a few hours to explore the park. Some great spots to visit include the Hidden Valley Trail, Keys View, and the Cholla Cactus Garden. You may not be able to see everything in Joshua Tree in one day, but you’ll still get a good sense of its unique landscape.

Day 3: Joshua Tree National Park
On your final day, you can dedicate a full day to exploring Joshua Tree National Park. You’ll have time for a few more hikes, such as the Barker Dam Trail, or visit other scenic spots like Arch Rock, Skull Rock, and the Jumbo Rocks area. If you're into stargazing, Joshua Tree is a dark-sky park and offers amazing opportunities to see the night sky.

Alternative Option: If you feel that the drive is a bit too much or you want to take things at a slower pace, you could focus on just one park. Both Death Valley and Joshua Tree are vast, so you could easily spend 2 days at either park and still have plenty to see and do. For example, if you focus solely on Joshua Tree, you can explore its many trails, rock formations, and unique desert landscapes in greater depth.

Final Considerations:

Driving Time: Be prepared for long drives between the parks. The total driving time will be around 6-7 hours, so ensure your car is in good condition, and plan for rest stops along the way.
November Weather: November is a great time to visit both parks, as the temperatures will be much cooler than the summer months. However, the weather can vary, so be sure to check the forecast for both areas.
Gas and Supplies: Both Death Valley and Joshua Tree have limited services, so be sure to fuel up and bring plenty of water, especially in Death Valley where services can be few and far between.

Overall, visiting both Death Valley and Joshua Tree in 3 days is doable, but it will be a packed itinerary. If you're up for some driving and want to experience the best of both parks, it will be an unforgettable trip. Otherwise, consider focusing on one park for a more relaxed pace.

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