Hall of Golden Light

Few landscapes leave me completely speechless, but this stunning sunset at the Joshua Tree National Park’s Hall of Horrors did just that. This place is named after its eerie rock formations, which resemble dungeons and other creepy structures. (Can you spot a skull-shaped rock in the images below?) It is also a popular hiking and climbing spot, and boasts the best sunset views in the entire park - or at least, I think it does!

Enjoy these images of a stunning clear day over the Joshua trees and rocky scenery surrounding them, under the changing lights and tones of an autumn sunset.

Indian Cove Nature Trail

The Indian Cove area in Joshua Tree National Park was originally used by the Serrano and Chemehuevi Native American tribes for thousands of years and still contains many important cultural sites and artifacts. The area was also used by cowboys and homesteaders in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and there are still remnants of old cabins and corrals in the area. Today, Indian Cove is a popular camping and hiking destination. We made a quick stop during our visit to walk the 1.2-mile loop Indian Cove Nature Trail, which is known for its unusual rock formations. It did not disappoint!

Jumbo Rock Formations

Jumbo Rocks is one of the most popular spots in Joshua Tree National Park, and it's easy to see why. These formations are the result of a complex granite geological history that dates back millions of years and were eroded by the elements into incredible shapes.

Skull Rock (featured at the end of this post) is one of the most iconic and recognizable rock formations at Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park. The formation gets its name from its striking resemblance to a human skull, with two large eye sockets and a nasal cavity. See if you can also spot the aptly-named Penguin Rock, which is hidden away in the Jumbo Rocks Campground by a beautifully twisted juniper tree.