Joshua Tree National Park in California encloses a wealth of natural beauty. It is the perfect getaway for those who like nature, but also prefer to stay close to the city in order to access urban comforts. The park is close to Palm Springs, allowing visitors to explore the park during the day and enjoy the city at night.
The park offers a variety of outdoor activities, unique rock formations, and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets along with a clear night sky for stargazing.
But before you leave for Joshua Tree, make sure to purchase visitors medical insurance or travel insurance as a safeguard against any unexpected and expensive mishaps.
Visitors Medical Insurance for Travelers in Joshua Tree National Park - FAQs
The park offers a wide range of fascinating plants and animals to observe, but it also comes with its own set of dangers. Imagine, a rock falls while you are clicking a picture. Or an animal gets startled by the excitement in your voice. You wouldn't want to become bankrupt paying medical bills for such an incident. That is why you should purchase a visitors medical insurance plan before leaving for Joshua Tree National Park.
Why buy visitors medical insurance before traveling to Joshua Tree National Park?
A visitors medical insurance plan can relieve you of any medical expenses. If you are out enjoying the park and become dehydrated or are bitten by a snake, you would need medical care. At a private medical facility, the cost could spiral to a huge amount. It is best to be cautious and buy visitors medical insurance to prevent financial catastrophe.
What should I look for in my Joshua Tree National Park visitors medical insurance?
In general, a visitors medical insurance plan can cover costs related to new injuries, illnesses, and accidents that occur after the policy is effective. Some key features that you should be looking for in your visitors medical insurance plan include Emergency Medical Coverage, Emergency Medical Evacuation, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment.
If you have to seek medical care, don’t let the financial burden ruin your trip. Buy visitors medical insurance as a defense against surprises.
Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travelers in Joshua Tree National Park - FAQs
Due to unstable climatic conditions of the park, trips are often canceled last minute. Not only does this ruin your mood, but also results in loss of money. You might wonder what would happen to the advance payments made such as for hotel reservations, airplane tickets, and tickets for reserved events. If you purchase trip cancellation insurance before you set off, you won’t have to worry about a potential financial loss due to trip cancellation.
Why should I get trip cancellation insurance for my Joshua Tree National Park travel?
Sometimes events happen that are out of our control. A sudden emergency might make you cancel your trip, and such cancellation entails a heavy financial loss. But the trip cancellation insurance works to reimburse the financial losses due to the plan-approved cancellation are covered. Many plans cover common reasons for cancellation, such as cancellation or delay due to weather, falling ill before the trip, and work-related emergencies. Look over your plan before purchasing to have an idea of the covered cancellation reasons.
What should I look for in my Joshua Tree National Park trip cancellation insurance?
Basic plans can cover flight tickets, loss or theft of baggage, and hotel booking cancellations. But, if you are looking to indulge in adventure activities like hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and biking, make sure that you buy an all-inclusive insurance plan that includes all the exciting activities that you have planned during your stay. Additional benefits to look for include repatriation or emergency medical evacuation and missed connection coverage.
If you purchase travel insurance, you don't have to worry about financial loss from unforeseen emergencies. Check your plan’s certificate wording to see the reasons that are covered.
5 Things To Do For Your Joshua Tree National Park Travel
- Hiking - Based on your capacity, you can choose between small, medium, and large trails. The Barker dam, with a trail of one mile (1.6 kilometers), is apt when you are traveling with family. Ryan Mountain is one of the most popular hikes as it can provide a 360-degree view of the entire park. If you are an experienced hiker or an enthusiast, you can also choose to go for the Boy Scout Trail, the longest hike in the park.
- Stargazing - Joshua Tree is one of the best places for stargazing in the country, or even the planet. The park has been graced with Dark Sky Park status by the International Dark-Sky Association. It has been ranked as one of the best national parks when it comes to stargazing. There are very few places where you can view The Milky Way and Joshua Tree is one of them. Away from the urban setting, traffic jams, and pollution, it offers a night of glittering stars, planets, and meteors to behold.
- Bird Watching - Grab your identification book and binoculars if you're an avid birdwatcher because the birds in Joshua Tree won't disappoint you. In winters you might come across the White-crowned sparrow and the American robin, and in summers the Northern oriole and the Western bluebird. Apart from them, resident birds like the Red-tailed hawk and Mockingbird can be seen throughout the year.
- Horseback Riding - Horseback riding is a popular way to explore and experience Joshua Tree. Desert ecosystems are a little tricky and require extra precautions. Imbalanced desert soil takes a long time to heal, hence it’s important for riders to choose well-established trails. The park has over two hundred and fifty miles (over 400 kilometers) of horse-friendly paths.
- Rock Climbing - Joshua Tree invites climbers and boulderers from all over the world. This climbing mecca is known for its traditional-style crack, slab, and steep face climbing. If you are a beginner and wish to explore a new sport, you can easily hire a climbing guide who will walk you through the basics and assist you while climbing. You can also purchase maps and books available at the visitors’ center or at shops surrounding the park.
Key Guidelines for Travelers to Joshua Tree National Park
- Carry Plenty of Water - Despite the cold weather, you will need plenty of water on your visit to Joshua Tree National Park. It's difficult to find water beyond the visitor centers and Black Rock Campground. The high desert portion may turn extremely dry, leading to dehydration. Along with the scorching heat of the summer, the park can be very humid. Drink at least one gallon of water every day to stay hydrated.
- Exercise Best Safety Practices When You're on the Road - Roads in the Joshua Tree National Park are extremely narrow and stuffy. They have no shoulders and there is no designated bicycle lane throughout the park. This means the road is shared amongst everyone - hikers, people who are riding horses, drivers, and bikers. This makes the already narrow road overcrowded, thereby increasing the chances of accidents. In addition, vision at turns can be restricted due to boulder piles and trees. Drive at a moderate speed so that you don't lose control when animals spring out of nowhere.
- Be Aware of Flash Flooding - Storms and flash floods in the Joshua Tree National Park are unexpected and destructive. At first, they may look mild, but they have enough power to destroy roadways and flip over vehicles. During rainstorms, move to higher ground and keep away from canyons and washes. Avoid driving regardless of the type of vehicle. If you see moving water, turn around and wait for things to settle down.
- Remain at A Distance from Wild Animals - Not only are wild animals here dangerous, but due to the vast variety found in the park, a few wild animals are also deadly, carrying diseases like hantavirus, plague, and rabies. While hiking, be careful where you place your hands and feet. You might come in contact with venomous animals including rattlesnakes, scorpions, and black widow spiders. Avoid going to places with low visibility.
- Pack According to the Climate - Despite the huge number of trees in the National Park, there is barely any shade available. The piercing ultraviolet rays of the sunlight can have a damaging effect on humans. They can cause issues like sunburn, eye problems, and lead to a weaker immune system. For sun protection, apply sunscreen or wear full sleeves to limit exposure. Also, carry sunglasses and hats. During the winter, carry extra layers to prevent Hypothermia.
Before You Travel to Joshua Tree National Park - Do This
- Carry Offline Maps
There is no cell coverage in Joshua Tree, and one might get lost easily in the depths of the park. Hence, you must download offline maps or carry hard copies, or else you might get stuck with no network and mobile access. In case of emergencies, you can dial 911 or 909-383-5651 provided your phone has cellular service.
- Pack A First Aid Kit
In a park involving risky outdoor activities and dangerous wildlife animals, you must be prepared to deal with the consequences. A first aid kit including various band-aids, gauze, and Neosporin is a must.
- Get A Travel Insurance Plan
Be prepared for the future and buy adequate travel insurance coverage for you and your fellow travelers to enjoy and have peace of mind during your vacation. All that is required is for you to enter some basic information, compare your options, and pick the plan that is best for your destination, itinerary, and budget.