nature – Just Get Outside!

Joshua Tree National Park During the Shutdown

November 4, 2025 by Elisabeth

Recap: After a lot of consideration, I decided to visit Joshua Tree National Park with my dog during the 2025 government shutdown. Here, I discuss what the park is like and how to determine whether visiting national parks right now is right for you.

Visiting a National Park During a Government Shutdown

I realize that visiting a national park during a government shutdown can be a controversial decision. There are reasonable arguments why you shouldn’t do so. Many argue that visiting during a shutdown can lead to overflowing trash, damaged resources, and unsafe situations because staff aren’t being paid or are working limited hours.

I typically drive through parks rather than hike off of the main roads since I travel with my dog, and I would never take her anywhere dogs aren’t allowed. I am used to packing up my own trash from camping, so if trashcans weren’t available, I would never leave my trash in a park. I would be prepared for the possibility that facilities wouldn’t be open. I made the decision to go, as I had been planning a fall visit to Joshua Tree all year, and I determined that I would not be putting myself in unnecessary danger or harm the park in any way.

Here are some things to keep in mind if you visit a national park during the shutdown:

Facilities may not be open at all, so figure out a plan for your basic needs of food, water, and restrooms. You can find my favorite product for peeing on the go in this post here!
Have trash bags and be prepared to pack your trash out, not leave it behind.
Don’t break the rules. Don’t go off trail. Don’t take your dog places where they aren’t allowed. Don’t poach people’s campsites (I discuss more about dogs in the park and the reservation system below).
Be kind. If you see park rangers, realize that this is a challenging time and they may be working without pay. Be polite and grateful to be there.

With these things in mind, I set out to explore Joshua Tree in mid-October 2025.

Joshua Tree during a shutdown

Although entry fees aren’t being collected, the entrance gates were staffed, and rangers were available and friendly. It really felt like business as usual. All of the park rangers I spoke to were very friendly and helpful.

Cars waiting to get into Joshua Tree National Park during the government shutdown

The line ahead and behind me to get in. Please ignore my criminally dirty windshield.

The campgrounds are open. You can still make reservations through recreation.gov, and by all accounts, pit toilets are clean and maintained, and trash is being emptied. I stopped at a couple of restrooms during my drive through the park and they were all clean with plenty of toilet paper.

Joshua Tree was active when I visited on a Friday morning. There were plenty of people enjoying the scenic views as well as camping and hiking throughout the park. I noticed quite a few international visitors, a reminder that this park draws people from all over the world.

park fees

As I mentioned, no fees are collected during a shutdown. This can be incredibly detrimental for the parks as they have millions of visitors every year and require tons of care and upkeep. Without entrance fees, maintenance and conservation efforts can quickly fall behind. If you visit a park during a shutdown, consider donating to a non-profit that benefits the park, such as the Joshua Tree National Park Association (link). The visitor center near the west entrance remained open, with restroom facilities and plenty of cute merchandise available. Consider supporting the parks by purchasing something or making a monetary donation to the Joshua Tree National Park Association.

history of the park

Joshua Tree became a national park in 1994 after being protected as a national monument in 1936. Named after the iconic Joshua Trees that populate the park and surrounding area, the park covers parts of the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. Joshua Trees are a delicate part of the ecosystem and face threats due to climate change such as increasing temperatures and decreased rainfall in the area.

A woman standing among the Joshua Trees at Joshua Tree National Park during the shutdown

Among the famous Joshua Trees

The area encompassing the park has a history of mining operations for copper, zinc, iron, and gold. A wealthy resident of the area, Minerva Hoyt, petitioned the government to protect the area, leading to its eventual designation as a national monument.

my visit to the park

A woman at Joshua Tree National Park during the government shutdown

Yeah, I couldn’t stop taking pics with the Joshua Trees

When I visited the park, I came in through TwentyNine Palms and the west entrance. Even simply driving through the area exposes you to otherworldly desert beauty. There are rocky formations among the trees and many people come to the area to rock climb.

keys view

I drove to Key’s View which overlooks the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs. This was an incredible view, and is a great spot for stargazing in this Dark Sky Park. There are several parking spaces and it’s just a short walk to the viewpoint.

Keys View at Joshua Tree National Park during the government shutdown.

Keys View is magnificent!

cholla cactus garden

I continued driving into the southern area of the park that consists of the Colorado Desert and found one of my favorite areas of the park, the Cholla Cactus Garden. They’re just so cute and fluffy-looking, although you do NOT want to touch them! Apparently it’s very easy to get the painful spines stuck in your skin! There’s a parking area and a short trail leading through the cactus garden so you can wander among them.

See, they’re so cute!

Selfie at Cholla Cactus Garden at Joshua Tree National Park during the government shutdown

Repping the Texas State Park hat wherever I go

dogs in the park

Like most national parks, Joshua Tree isn’t very dog-friendly. Dogs aren’t allowed on trails or in the backcountry. They’re limited to roads, parking areas, and campgrounds, and must stay within 100 feet of those areas while on a leash. I kept Beatrix in the truck with me while I drove through the park. Of course, she hardly minds napping while I drive through these beautiful places.

outside the park

There are other places you can see the Joshua Trees outside of the park, like Mohave National Preserve. I drove through part of the preserve on my way to the park, and it was beautiful and contained many Joshua Trees. Beatrix and I stayed for two nights at the Joshua Tree Lake RV and campground which is only about a 10 minute drive from the park’s western entrance. With its bathrooms, showers, dog park, RV hookups and plenty of spaced out tent camping spots, we loved staying there. It just has a friendly, funky desert vibe and I’d definitely stay there again if we go back.

She loves lying on pillows like this

A mile or so past the Joshua Tree Lake campgrounds you can stop and see a sculpture called “Transmission.” It’s on private land, but there is a little fenced off public path where you can get closer to take pics. It’s weird and cool, which definitely fits the Joshua Tree vibe.

Transmission sculpture near Joshua Tree National Park

A cool bit of desert weirdness

Visiting a national park during the shutdown is a personal choice, and for me, it was worth it. I’m glad Beatrix and I checked this park off of our list. If you decide to visit as well, please keep in mind how important it is to follow the rules to preserve these fragile ecosystems, and consider donating to ensure the funds are there to do so.

National Park Roundup: Driving Through Death Valley

October 12, 2025 by Elisabeth

Recap: I visited the country’s hottest and driest national park on a road trip with my dog, driving through miles of desolate, flat desert surrounded by mountain ranges. You can read about my experiences at Zion National Park with my dog here.

History

The national park, covering areas of California and Nevada, stretches over 5,000 square miles of the vast Death Valley. It was designated as a national monument in 1933. At that time the area contained the homeland of the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe, and a reservation was not designated for these people until 1982. Death Valley gained national park status in 1994.

The “Death” in Death Valley

Death Valley gets its spooky name from gold rush pioneers heading to California who thought the area would be their tomb in the winter of 1849. When they were rescued and leaving the area, one of them apparently said, “Goodbye, Death Valley,” and the name stuck.

People have lost their lives in the park, with the most common reason being vehicular accidents, and some people have lost their lives due to heat exposure. Temperatures in the hottest place on earth can soar as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit, with the record high temperature reaching 134 degrees Fahrenheit.

When I visited in April, it was only a cool 87 degrees.

Furnace Creek Visitor Center

Driving Through

Death Valley is a great national park for driving through. Its unique desert landscape stretches for miles, crossing some of the west’s most remote areas.

I entered Death Valley from the east, driving in from Las Vegas through Pahrump and Death Valley Junction, then continued west through Furnace Creek and Panamint Springs on my way to Bishop, California, which I wrote about here.

One famous site is Badwater Basin, which is 282 feet below sea level, consisting of nearly 200 square miles of salt flats made up of salt, calcite, gypsum, and borax. Tens of thousands of years ago this was the site of the ancient Lake Manly, which is now completely evaporated, leaving behind the Badwater Basin.

One of the most popular spots in the park to stop and take in the view is Zabriskie Point. This location is where you can access the start of the Badlands Loop Trail from the parking lot. I had initially put Zabriskie Point on my list to check out, but as I approached the area, I decided to just drive on past. It was pretty crowded, with a line of cars going in and out of the parking lot, and it was crawling with tourists. Not that I have anything against tourists…I realize that most places I go, I’m the tourist! But sometimes when I’m in the middle of a road trip like I was here, the thought of getting to my next stop is all the mental energy I have, and I just don’t want to take the time to futz with a busy crowd.

I did stop at the Father Crowley Vista Point with its views of Rainbow Canyon, where military fighter jets used to train. It’s located near the park’s western edge, overlooking Rainbow Canyon.

Rainbow Canyon at Death Valley National Park

Rainbow Canyon, also known as Star Wars Canyon, was once a training site for fighter jets.

Toyota Tacoma at Father Crowley Vista Point at Death Valley National Park

My traveling Tacoma at Father Crowley Vista Point.

Dogs

Pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley NP. There are no dog-friendly hikes available in Death Valley. That works for me and Beatrix, because she’s a little old lady who doesn’t really go on hikes and is content to be a passenger princess for the duration. But for many people who have active dogs, this is limiting.

Like all national parks, dogs are allowed on parking lots and paved roads only.

The National Park Service published this list of roads near popular Death Valley sites where you can walk your dog.

Death Valley was a memorable drive through some gorgeous country, and I’m glad I passed through on my way to continue my road trip west!

BLM Spot Review: Camping at the Volcanic Tablelands Outside of Bishop, California

May 30, 2025 by Elisabeth

One of my favorite free camping spots this trip was at the Volcanic Tablelands, just outside of the adorable small town of Bishop, California. It was perfect for truck camping in my Tacoma.

Getting there:

You can access the Volcanic Tablelands by heading north on US 6 out of Bishop, and turning onto Casa Diablo Road. You’ll see a sign marking the area and lots of pull offs for camping.

Entrance sign for Volcanic Tablelands BLM camping area near Bishop, California

You’re here!

camping at volcanic tablelands:

This was my first stop out of the Las Vegas area on my way to Oregon. The weather was perfect—sunny and cool, my favorite—and I had no problem finding the area, which is always a win when venturing into unknown BLM territory for camping. I’m always afraid I won’t find it! The pull offs are obvious and clearly marked with fire rings. I drove past a couple of RVs and found a nice, private open space to park the truck.

Toyota Tacoma truck camper parked on open BLM land with dog sniffing nearby at Volcanic Tablelands

Beatrix got to work right away sniffing the area.

The view of the snow-capped eastern Sierra Nevada mountains combined with the rocky desert was nothing short of stunning.

Snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains rising behind rocky desert landscape at Volcanic Tablelands

This view was like nothing I’d seen before!

We settled in, made some dinner, and got a comfy night’s sleep in the camper.

Sunrise at Volcanic Tablelands BLM camping

Sunrise view of desert and mountains seen from inside a truck camper

Yep, I woke up to this!

bishop, California:

In the morning, Beatrix and I walked a little, had breakfast, and prepared to get on the road. I decided to backtrack a little way to the town of Bishop, California to get gas and see if I could find a place to fill up my water jugs. Just like Poverty Flats (which I wrote about last week), this area doesn’t have any facilities like restrooms or water so you have to come prepared. I wasn’t out of water, but wanted to top off before getting back on the road.

Camper smiling in front of Eastern Sierra mountain range at Volcanic Tablelands BLM site

I could’ve easily spent more time in this gorgeous area. You can camp here for up to 14 days at a time!

Bishop is an adorable little town. Think, 25 mph main street. I stopped at the dog park to let Beatrix get some more sniff time in.

There were plenty of smells to be found.

Near the dog park is a lovely park with a duck pond and public restrooms. I stopped at the visitor’s center to inquire about filling up my water jugs, and they kindly let me fill up right outside the building (pro tip: always ask if this is OK!)

Outdoor map display at Bishop, California visitor center

Visitor Center map.

After filling up with insanely priced California gas, I was on my way! I almost stopped at the famous Erick Schat’s Bakery, but I already had a car full of pastries from 85c Bakery in Vegas, so I decided against it. I don’t know what I was thinking, though…the more sweets the better! I’ll definitely stop in next time.

The beauty of the drive through this area can’t be overstated. We headed to the Reno area, driving past Mono Lake (a surreal, ancient lake) and then into Nevada. This route through the eastern Sierras contained probably my favorite scenery from the entire road trip.

Have you camped near Bishop? Did you try Erick Schat’s Bakery? Let me know in the comments!

First Time Dispersed Camping: Poverty Flats near Valley of Fire State Park

May 20, 2025 by Elisabeth

Previously on Just Get Outside, I was preparing for my next cross-country road trip and praying my Leer cap would come in on time. I stayed at some beautiful campgrounds along the way, and I’ll definitely share those soon, but let’s start with my first ever experience with dispersed camping at Poverty Flats outside of Las Vegas, Nevada!

Toyota Tacoma with camper setup parked on open BLM land at Poverty Flats near Valley of Fire State Park

Spoiler alert: my truck cap came in on time!

I was halfway through my trip from Texas to Oregon before I tried dispersed camping for the first time. I had great experiences at established campgrounds in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, but I was ready to push myself outside of my comfort zone a little bit. I knew I wanted to see the famous Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, but they didn’t have any camp sites available in the park during the time I would be there, so I explored my options for dispersed camping.

Dispersed camping means free camping on public land that’s usually managed by the National Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It’s a popular choice for boondockers, vanlifers, and road trippers looking to save money and enjoy some solitude. Some of the benefits of dispersed camping are that it’s free, and it’s usually much more private than being slotted into a campground just feet from your nearest RV neighbor. Some of the downsides are that it doesn’t have facilities like toilets and water, so you have to make sure you come prepared.

Poverty Flats is about an hour’s drive outside of Vegas and only about a 10 minute drive from Valley of Fire. The April weather was beautiful and it seemed like the perfect spot to try dispersed camping for the first time.

I arrived just before sunset and bounced slowly down the gravel roads, stoked to use my 4×4 for the first time. There were other campers and RVs set up, and I made my way past them to my own spot. I was a little nervous about knowing where I was actually allowed to camp, but there are tons of already established spots out there. You can usually tell when it’s an established spot because it has a fire ring and other indications people have camped there.

Settling in my home away from home!

I found a fire ring and got settled. I took Beatrix out for a stroll and marveled at the views. It was vast and open and I felt like I could see for miles. Even though we weren’t parked right next to anyone, knowing other campers were fairly close by made me feel at ease without losing that peaceful, wide-open feeling. I was out there for about 10 minutes when I realized dispersed camping would be my first choice over established campgrounds from now on.

Senior miniature schnauzer standing near cliff edge with desert views at Poverty Flats

You know I was hella stressed about her sniffing this close to the edge.

My favorite thing about camping is waking up to amazing views, and Poverty Flats definitely didn’t disappoint.

Desert landscape at sunrise viewed from inside a truck camper

What a way to wake up!

I couldn’t get over how cool the landscape was, and how much it felt like I had it all to myself.

desert views truck camping at Poverty Flats BLM land

I mean, can you believe this!?

After feeding and taking care of Beatrix, we got out of there and headed down the road to Valley of Fire State Park.

Valley of Fire, Nevada’s first state park, was established in 1934 and covers more than 40,000 acres of Jurassic-era red sandstone and ancient limestone mountains. The area was once covered by an inland sea, which makes the views cool and surreal. No reservations are needed to visit the park, but you do need one if you want to camp there. It’s pretty popular, so book your trip in advance. They didn’t have any camping availability on the random Tuesday I was there. It costs $15 to enter the park (or $10 if you’re a Nevada resident).

Exterior of Valley of Fire visitor center under clear blue sky

The visitor’s center has facilities you can use if you’ve been dispersed camping the night before without a bathroom! You can also fill your water bottle there.

This is a fantastic park to drive through. While it’s dog friendly (as long as your furry friend is leashed), you know how Beatrix rolls: riding shotgun with the air conditioning on, living her best senior dog life. We don’t get out and hike most of the time, because she’s a delicate little old lady, so parks with amazing views you can see from the car are totally her jam.

Driving through Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada

Seriously, it’s a gorgeous drive.

The park is full of desert bighorn sheep, which I was surprised to see are just chilling wherever!

Desert bighorn sheep grazing near the roadside in Valley of Fire State Park

All the cars slowed down to take a pic like this, these guys were unfazed.

I stopped at just about every place I could to take pics and enjoy the view. There were many shaded picnic areas that would be perfect for a break out of the sun for hikers and car travelers alike.

Fire Canyon

Repping Texas State Parks with my hat, of course.

Valley of Fire has the most national park energy of any state park I’ve visited. Seriously, it’s stunning and otherworldly.

Seven Sisters rock formations.

At first I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to camp at the park, but staying at Poverty Flats and visiting the park in the morning was amazing. When I go back, I’m going to do the same thing again!

Have you ever tried dispersed camping? What was your first experience like? I’d love to hear your favorite free camping spots or Valley of Fire experiences in the comments!