In January, what is the best way to access Death Valley National Park? What about Joshua Tree National Park?

In January, access from the East off 95 is better. From West there are some passes that get snow.

If you come from the west on 395, be aware the grade down 190 is steep. The route through Ridgecrest and Trona is not very steep and is a much easier drive.

For DV the easiest is from Lone Pine on 395 from the North or Ryholite from the east. Joshua Tree is easy to access from I-10.

Trona is interesting...and much abandoned. Nice little park for lunch in town.

Most of the sites, mines, views, hikes at Joshua Tree are between the 29 Palms entrance or the town of Joshua Tree entrance. (The south entrance has a nice hike to an oasis and a campground and a visitors center but thats about all.) If your coming from Death Valley, take Hwy 15 to Barstow, and then 247 to Yucca Valley and then use the Joshua Tree entrance. (I wouldn't take I 10 in at all unless your coming from the west and have no choice. Traffic is heavy.) If your going now while during the Govt Shutdown, download a map so you wont miss the cool sites otherwise they will give you one at the pay stations.The easiest entrance to Death Valley is Scotties Castle Road 267 which is at the far northeast end of the park. Scotties Castle is a must see but closes early so we usually start there. Then you can exit at the Beatty road 374 out.

Approaching Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks

hedgehopper
Explorer
Jan 03, 2019
dedmiston wrote:
There's an active discussion on the same route HERE.
The route referred to here is CA-190
sunbug
Explorer
Jan 05, 2019
US Hwy 95 is a good route and goes thru Pahrump Nv. Access from Pahrump is easy and there are a couple routes that go to Death Valley. You can also access DV from Armargosa Valley. The Route 247 (I think) by Death Valley Scottys Castle is closed because of flood damage. Joshua Tree NP is wonderful and perhaps will be reopened by the time you get there. Places to stay in 29 Palms. Good Luck
dkreuzen
Explorer
Jan 06, 2019
sunbug wrote:
US Hwy 95 is a good route and goes thru Pahrump Nv. ...

FYI, NV160 goes to Pahrump, US95 is over 30 miles away.

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Approaching Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks

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