Death Valley to Joshua Tree park

Google Maps recommends the following route:

http://tinyurl.com/lpgz3hg

74vette wrote:
We are currently in Beatty and will visit Death Valley for a few days. We would like to visit Joshua tree park and need advise on a route and road conditions pulling a 28 foot fifth wheel. Is it best to take 127 to interstate 15? This is our first trip and would like to know which side of Joshua Tree park to arrive on, north or south. Any information is appreciated.

Thank you,

SR127 is a decent two lane road all the way to the I-15, in Barstow takeSR247 (Barstow Rd.) head east towards Yucca. Once reaching SR62 go east bound and the North entrance is a few miles down the road from there

I took the route from Baker through Kelso last year and would not recommend that route. The road was in terrible shape.

I would think that you would want to go from north to south ALL THE WAY THROUGH Joshua Tree. We camped on some BLM land just across the highway from 29 Palms, did the 29 Palms hike. Drove all the way through JT with a few more hikes, including near the south entrance, and then camped just outside the gate on the south side - once again on BLM land - both for free. This was in our 38' coach plus tow car. The camp sites inside were too small and way too crowded to accommodate us near Easter and spring break. Check freecampgrounds.com A few times we unhooked and took the tow car to the view site.

Another note; you may want to drive through Mojave and stop at the Anza-Borrego California state park or the privately run caves somehow within that state park.
Check out my somewhat simple blog at NationalParksTallman.wordpress.com from a few years ago.

I go there every year, and have taken every road. The fastest way is to go to Barstow and then take 247 to Yucca Valley. You can also go through Kelso(which has a restored train depot that is worth the trip and if you have kids, stop at the dunes that sing to you) Then hit Amboy to 29 Palms I did it in our Class C and it wasn't a bad drive, although boring as heck without a lot to see, just a lot of desert.