We visited Joshua Tree National Park for the first time in October 2017. I knew right then that it would be a “home” park for us. Ellen and I are both drawn to the desert, and Joshua Tree is a unique blend of Mojave and Colorado deserts. It is where the two meet, and mingle.

When we decided to do a desert tour, instead of our usual winter in Florida, Joshua Tree came to mind one of our focus areas. I knew there was BLM land close by, which for full-time nomads is like finding flowing water in the desert. We can camp for free (for nearly as long as we’d like) just outside the park. Little did I realize when planning that we would be arriving just in time for a rare experience, the 2019 super bloom.

It has been truly spectacular to witness this once in a decade event here in Joshua Tree. The lupines, sunflowers, poppies, and countless other species have been popping up everywhere.

  

  

But I assure you, there is much more to this huge park than just wildflowers. It is approximately 800k acres of desert and mountain terrain.

There are of course incredible vistas.

Amazing night skies.

Hidden desert gems.

Cholla cactus gardens, treacherous and beautiful.

And of course, the otherworldly Joshua Trees, for which the park is named.

I like to try to combine several elements for which the park is famous, all in one photo, if possible.

We’re here for a few more weeks, so I know I will have much more to show all of you… this is just a preview of what I’ve seen and experienced.

It’s a fascinating park. And one that I know will take me many years to fully explore. Good thing Ellen and I have both fallen for this massive desert parkland in the heart of Southern California.

–Andrew

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Ellen and I hit the road full-time in June of 2016. We are on a mission to inspire and educate everyone on the importance of getting outside. Check out my workshops and my prints, made #ontheroad in my mobile print studio. The revenue will help propel us further on this great adventure. Enrich yourself and others… and feel great about it too as you’re helping to ensure our public lands are cherished and to keep the wild spirit of the American Dream alive. Our goal is to visit all 59 National Parks in 3-5 years. LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT WE’RE DOING HERE

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Want to learn photography and enjoy a guided experience? Check out my exciting, NEW workshop dates:

 

PHOTO 101 // LEARN TO SHOOT LIKE A PRO // SELECT CITIES // USA

GRAND TETON // FALL COLOR // LANDSCAPES + WILDLIFE

TELLURIDE // FALL COLOR // LUXE LANDSCAPES

 

I’m excited to announce my “The Photographic Guide to Our National Parks” series of eBooks:

 

Rocky Mountain National Park

Grand Teton National Park

 

If you are interested in purchasing a “print from the road”, please check my prints for sale, or email me directly for a custom request:

 

Andrew Slaton // prints from the road

 

If you are interested in licensing any of the images/ video from this post, please visit my stock agency:

 

Tandem Stills + Motion // Andrew Slaton

  

For assignment work requests, please email me: andrew@andrewslatonphoto.com

 

Thanks for visiting AndrewSlatonBlog.com!

 

All images and content © ARS Media, LLC 2019