Before I start this story, I want to express clearly that I am not an experienced camper and the last time I camped was at a music festival which was a completely different experience.
I travelled with 9 other friends to my favourite place in California for my 20th birthday party which is Salvation Mountain in Niland, Calfornia. There, I was able to see my favourite art piece which is an art mountain in the middle of the desert. The mountain was built by Leonard Knight with donated paint and other miscellanous and unique items he found randomly in the desert. The mountain is an explosion of colours and art and painted random cars, windows etc. also contribute to the artwork.
After exploring Salvation Mountain, we drove up in the direction toward San Bernadino Valley and stopped in the Yucca Valley where Joshua Tree National Park is located. At Joshua Tree, we drove towards our campsite which was the Black Rock camping ground. We choose this camping ground as it is one of the only ones at Joshua Tree which you can make a reservation and we did not want to be stuck without one. Our campground was very minimal with a fire pit, bench, and table. As soon as we stepped outside the car, we felt the intense cold desert weather. My toes started to freeze and I could see my breath every timed I breathed…. It was really cold and we weren’t prepared. We set up the tent before it got dark and took about two hours starting the fire as the wind was crazy. Our tent was being thrown around by the wind and when we were sleeping inside, the tent would be thrown around by the crazy weather. I could not sleep at all that night as the sides of the tent kept hitting me in the face because of the wind. Despite the horrible weather… the rain, the wind and the freezing cold (perfect camping weather trifecta am I right??), the camping trip was worth it as you will be in complete awe when you witness Joshua Tree’s fascinating nature, landscape, stars, and sunset. I saw more stars that night than I ever have in my entire life, so I suggest you make the trip… just for the stars.