Venture into the realm of desert tortoises, “mentalphysics,” and lonesome Muffler Men.
The Explorer’s Guide to Joshua Tree National Park

Wander through 10 acres of large-scale sculptures made from cast-off materials by artist Noah Purifoy. The sculptures are all assemblage pieces, made from metal, burnt wood, blown out tires, toilets, old chairs, broken computer keyboards, or glass fragments, among other junk items. Most are large enough to walk into, and they are changing constantly as weather and time take their toll.

Created by writer Morgan Higby Night in 2010, this vintage trailer park motel is the perfect hideaway to stay and create during your time in Joshua Tree. With a full recording studio and film-editing bay, Hicksville can help you find your muse. The eccentric place is also extremely private, with no GPS locators permitted, and only guests allowed inside the gates. Once inside, a bizarro desert wonderland on shockingly green astro turf awaits.

Just a short drive outside of Joshua Tree and into the desert outside Landers, experience a quartz crystal sound bath inside an all-wood sound-chamber inside a geodesic dome. Built in 1954 and designed by aeronautical engineer and ufologist George Van Tassel, this building was constructed without the use of any nails, consisting only of plywood and fiberglass held together by wood dowels. According to its creator, the structure is based on the design of Moses’ Tabernacle, the writings of Nikola Tesla, and telepathic advice from extraterrestrials. It survived the infamous Landers Earthquake of 1992, which measured as a 7.3 on the Richter scale. Van Tassel chose the location because of the supposedly powerful geomagnetic energy located there which he thought could be amplified by the wooden parabolic structure. Today, the public is welcome to attend sound baths. After, visitors can stand and speak in the center of the room to experience the resonance of their own voice reverberating back to them.

Located on 420 acres in the high desert, this spiritual center is dedicated to the “science of the future.” From the “physics” of the mind to a journey into your own inner being, this institute in the high desert has much to offer. Built in 1946, it was a place for the study of mentalphysics, commonly referred to as “The Super Yoga of the Western World.” It is a hybrid of meditation and breathing techniques first taught by British journalist Ding Le Mei in 1927. Today, this retreat center is an architectural gem with buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, including those with titles such as the Preceptory of Light, the First Sanctuary of Mystic Christianity, and the 700-foot-long Caravansary of Joy. You can stay overnight on the premises.

Housed in an old photo processing booth, this roadside oddity showcases an eclectic collection of crocheted items. You’ll find just about every conceivable type of item and crochet stitch, including animals like poodles, bears, unicorns, and abstract smiley faces. The museum’s founder, Shari Elf, first starting collecting crochet in the 1990s, eventually amassing enough to fill this vivid green hut.

Stop by the home of a fictional heretic from a parallel universe. Artist Eames Demetrios created this immersive installation to tell the story of a cult leader placed under house arrest in exile. Part of a larger project called Kcymaerxthaere, Demetrio wanted to tell stories in three-dimensions. From text plaques to historic sites like the Kabin, Demetrio constructs an alternative universe for you to explore. This place stands as one of the most audacious examples of Joshua Tree’s decidedly alternative artistic culture.

This working hair salon, run by the world’s foremost “hairstorian,” Jeff Hafler, is a bizarre collection of thousands of “hair-aphernalia.” Explore this massive assortment of vintage beauty tools, including perm machines from the 1940s, a 19th-century curling iron that runs on kerosene, and retro hairdryers in all shapes and colors. Pop in to check out the collection or make an appointment to get your hair done.

If you’re seeking the region’s elusive desert tortoises, which can live for up to 80 years, head to this protected 605 acres of unspoiled habitat. Spend enough time in the day-use-only areas and you might also spot a herd of bighorn sheep or a lone bobcat. Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback trails offer amazing views of the Yucca Valley and Landers.

In front of a 1949 converted gas station overlooking a collection of vintage cars, find “Big Josh,” a 20-foot-tall muffler man. Swing by for a photo-op or check out the retro coin-operated rides and old playground structures. The adjacent shop has an array of kitschy merchandise including flower pots with faces, Grateful Dead bath salts, records, and vintage magazines.

The abandoned shelter of a desert squatter lies deep within the Joshua Tree Wilderness. Also known as Cary’s Castle after Arthur Lloyd Cary who had originally staked out the nearby “Welcome Stranger Mine” in 1938, the tiny homestead is located in the crux between two massive rocks. Due to looting and damage of the site, this area may sometimes be closed off to the public.