10 Weird Things to Do in Joshua Tree

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Joshua Tree National Park is located in southern California, just two hours east of Los Angeles. The park is named after the many Joshua trees that line its incredible landscape. It’s a beautiful park and in addition to its natural surroundings, the area hosts some unexpected as well.

The small towns surrounding Joshua Tree are full of character and make for a great road trip. There are many quirky attractions tucked away and you never know what you might find. For this reason, I find myself returning time and time again. Continue reading to discover some of the many unique and weird things to do in Joshua Tree.

Weird Things to Do in Joshua Tree:

1. The Beauty Bubble Salon & Museum

The Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum is a functioning hair salon run by stylist and “hair-storian,” Jeff Hafler. Hafler has been collecting retro beauty items for the last 25 years and displays all of his finds around his workspace. There are over 3,000 pieces of hair and beauty memorabilia on display. The collection includes antique hood dryers, perm machines, wigs, books, and knick-knacks. As a stylist myself, I really enjoyed all of Hafler’s incredible treasures, especially the antique blowdryers.

Hafler is fun, friendly, and is happy to share details of his collection with you. A hair appointment isn’t necessary to view the collection and you can stop by any time during business hours. However, if you do wish to book a service, an appointment is recommended and more information can be found here. The salon is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 am- 6 pm, and Sundays and Mondays by appointment only.

61855 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

2. Glass Outhouse Gallery

The Glass Outhouse Gallery is located a bit further into the desert. It’s a few miles outside of Twentynine Palms and is close to the east entrance of Joshua Tree National Park. It’s the last place you would expect to find an art gallery but it has become a popular spot over the years. The Gallery opened in 2009 and is run by owner/ artist Laurel Seidl. It attracts artists and art collectors from all over the world and features an artist or two each month.

On the property surrounding the gallery, there are trails marked by glass bottles leading through all kinds of “art” displays. You’ll also find the working, mirrored outhouse that the gallery is named after. Make sure to bring a camera as there are a lot of fun photo ops. The gallery is free to visit and open from 1-5 pm every day, with the exception of Monday.

77575 Twentynine Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

3. World Famous Crochet Museum

The World Famous Crochet Museum was created in 2006 by long-time crochet collector and local artist, Shari Elf. The co-founder of the Art Queen Complex doesn’t actually crochet herself but began collecting all types of crochet in the early 1990s. Her collection was placed in storage for quite some time but the World Famous Crochet Museum came to life after she stumbled upon an old one-hour photo booth for sale. Elf didn’t know what she was going to do with the photo booth at the time but later decided it would be the perfect place to house her collection. She renovated the interior with shelving and painted the exterior a bright lime green.

Her collection consists of about every crochet creation you can imagine. There are poodles and other dogs, clowns, dolls, unicorns, and the list goes on. The World Famous Crochet Museum isn’t visible from the street. It’s located near the Joshua Tree Saloon and is tucked away behind the Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum. From the front entrance gate, continue to the back of the lot. The museum is open 24/7 and is free of charge. However, the tiny photo booth can only hold two visitors at a time so you may have to wait your turn.

61855 Highway 62, Joshua Tree, California

4. Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum

Noah Purifoy was a visual artist and sculptor who spent most of his life between Los Angeles and Joshua Tree. He moved to Joshua Tree in the 1980s and dedicated the last fifteen years of his life to creating The Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum. His museum sits on 10 acres (4 hectares) of land in the Mojave desert and consists of over 100 large sculptures that are made of found objects or junk. Noah had limited funds and collected his materials from anywhere he could. He incorporated items such as old furniture, broken electronics, and even a toilet.

At first, there appears to be no rhyme or reason to his creations but everything is very intentional and has meaning. Noah’s “junk art” communicates a variety of messages, many of which are political. The decision to build in the desert was deliberate as well. He believed that the decay from the desert elements would enhance his art over time. The Noah Purifoy Foundation currently maintains the property and offers tours but the museum can easily be visited on your own. It is open to the public daily from sunup to sundown and is free of charge.

63030 Blair Lane, Joshua Tree, California 9225

5. Giant Saguaro Cacti

A pair of giant Cacti can be found in front of a barbershop on Twentynine Palms Highway in Yucca Valley. I’m not sure how these came to be but they have been there for as long as I have been visiting Joshua Tree. The large Saguaro cacti stand about 15 ft (4.5 m) tall and are obviously very old. They are located closer to Pioneertown and can be a fun photo stop on your way to the park.

Update: Only one cactus is now standing.

56160 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284

6. Desert Christ Park

Desert Christ Park is a sculpture garden that occupies 3.5 acres (1.4 hectares) of land overlooking the Yucca Valley. The plot of land was originally owned by Reverend Eddie Garver, a preacher who lived in the area with his family and established the Yucca Valley Community Church in the late 1940s. He was introduced to Frank Antone Martin, a sculptor from Los Angeles, CA and they found that they shared a similar vision. WWII had recently come to an end and Garver wanted to build a Christian-themed park that would serve as a statement of peace.

Antone Martin had dreamt of placing a giant Christ on the rim of the Grand Canyon, also as a symbol of peace rather than religion, but the state would not allow it. Garver offered him the land high up on the hillside and he eventually took him up on the offer. The first sculpture, a giant “resurrected Christ” was the first to be built and brought to the desert from Los Angeles in 1951. The statue is 10 feet tall and is made up of 3 tons of steel-reinforced concrete.

Over the next ten years, more than 35 biblical figures were placed throughout the hillside. Included are the Twelve Apostles, Mary, and the 125-ton facade of “The Last Supper”.  In 1992, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 shook the area and damaged many of the statues. As a result, many of them are missing limbs and/ or heads. Desert Christ Park Foundation, a non-profit has since taken over and renovated the park. It operates on donations and is open daily until dusk.

56200 Sunnyslope Dr, Yucca Valley, CA 92284

7. Pioneertown

Pioneertown is a tiny unincorporated town just outside of Joshua Tree. It was built as an old western movie set in 1946 and has a fun history. The original investors were a group of Hollywood actors that included Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. They envisioned a set that people could actually visit and soon created a street lined with 1880s-style facades. Mane Street (not a typo) was built and provided visitors with an interactive experience. More than 50 films and television shows were shot here during the 1940s and 1950s, including Annie Oakley and The Cisco Kid.

Mane Street is home to a stable, jail, and saloon facades, as well as a functioning motel and bowling alley. The bowling alley is currently under renovation with plans to reopen sometime in late 2021. There’s not a lot to do in Pioneertown nowadays, but Mane Street is still worth a visit and has some great photo opportunities. Pioneertown is open 365 days a year but is most lively on the weekends. If you visit on a weekday, most things will likely be closed but there’s also a good chance you’ll have the place to yourself.

5040 Curtis Road, Pioneertown, CA, 92268

8. Pappy & Harriet’s

I guess I wouldn’t call it weird, but Pappy and Harriet’s isn’t exactly something you would expect to find out in the desert. Pappy & Harriet’s was once one of the many facades of Pioneertown in 1946. Back then, it was a “cantina” that appeared in the background of numerous Western films. In 1972, it was bought and turned into an actual functioning cantina that was popular with bikers in the area. It wasn’t until ten years later, in 1982, that the location reopened as Pappy & Harriet’s.

Pappy and Harriet’s, named after its owners, became a family-friendly hangout, known for its food and live music. It changed hands once again in 2003 when it was bought by two New Yorkers, who turned it into an incredible music venue. They kept the old Western vibe, added some great BBQ to the menu, and started bringing in some amazing musical acts. In recent years, the venue has received all kinds of press, contributing to its popularity.

It was named a Top Ten Hidden Gem of the Country by Billboard Magazine and has been featured on Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. Pappy & Harriet’s has an open-mic night and a weekly house band, but the real draw is the big names it attracts. Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, Sean Lennon, and Eagles of Death Metal are just a few that have played its stage.

If you’re planning a trip to Joshua Tree, I highly recommend checking the calendar on their website and purchasing tickets well in advance if there’s a show that interests you. They tend to sell out quickly. And, if there isn’t anything on the calendar, visit anyway. The food and atmosphere alone are worth it. A reservation for dinner is recommended, although not required.

53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown, CA 92268

9. Skull Rock

Skull Rock is located within Joshua Tree National Park and is a favorite stop for visitors. It is a giant granite rock that has taken on the shape of a skull over the years. Depressions resembling hollowed-out eye sockets have formed from rainwater accumulating and eroding the rock. Skull Rock is located next to the main road that runs east/ west through the park. There is usually plenty of space to park roadside.

It can be a quick stop but I recommend spending some time exploring the area. There are some great trails nearby. The Skull Rock Nature Loop is an easy 1.7 miles (2.7 km) and will take you through a maze of massive rock formations. The trailhead is located across from the entrance to Jumbo Rocks Campground.

10. Metal Dinosaurs

A group of metal dinosaurs can be found along 29 Palms Highway (Hwy 62). There are four along the front stretch of the road and one on the side of the property. They are all meat-eating-type T-rexes with the exception of a gold adult Brontosaurus and baby. The dinosaurs were originally installed by Desert View Homes, a home manufacturing company, in an attempt to call attention to their business. They have become a fun photo stop for tourists.

62842 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

Where to Stay in Joshua Tree

Pioneertown Motel
The Pioneertown Motel is probably Joshua Tree’s most Instagrammable place to stay. The recently renovated motel is a fun little spot and is conveniently located. It’s about a 20-minute drive to Joshua Tree National Park and is adjacent to Mane Street. The motel was built in 1946 as part of Pioneertown and many of the Western movie stars stayed here. The rooms are outfitted with books, card games, and cacti.

Sacred Sands
Sacred Sands is one of Joshua Tree’s more upscale properties and is located just one mile from Joshua Tree’s West Entrance. The boho-chic guesthouse is made up of just two rooms. Each has a large indoor shower, outdoor shower, and outdoor soaking tubs. The rooms have other nice touches, such as a record player and patios with mountain views.

Adobe in the Palms
Adobe in the Palms is a historic home dating back to 1937. The adobe-style building is perfect for families and large groups. It is situated on 25 private acres (10 hectares) and has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a full kitchen. The rustic home is filled with period furniture and Western movie memorabilia. It also has a fire pit and patio that is perfect for watching desert sunsets.

These are just a few unique and weird things to do in Joshua Tree. It’s certainly not limited to these. A day can easily be spent exploring, just make sure you have a route properly planned before going too far out in the desert. Phone service is spotty at best.

Have you been to Joshua Tree? I would love to hear about your favorite weird things to do in Joshua Tree. If you’ve enjoyed this post, please leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Planning a trip to Joshua Tree National Park? Continue to my post, “The Perfect Weekend Guide to Joshua Tree National Park“.