Split Rock & Live Oak ~ Joshua Tree National Park

Mentioning where to find an interesting picnic area does have a way of attracting the attention of tourists that only wish to do a day trip venture. Part of the outdoor experience is the ability to just laze the day away under a shade tree while letting the problems of the world drift away. The picnic areas in the National Parks certainly fit this bill of fare! Better still, the National Park day use areas are most often located in a majestic setting that makes escaping from the modern world easy to accomplish.

Split Rock and Live Oak are two popular day use picnic areas inside Joshua Tree National Park that are located side by side in the Jumbo Rocks region. Jumbo Rocks truly is an odd Mojave Desert landscape to marvel over and a geologist certainly could talk up a storm in this place! The fractured ancient bedrock has eroded over time to create a landscape that looks like carefully stacked smooth rounded boulders. Just like the Jumbo Rocks name infers, the smooth boulders truly are gigantic and each has an eye catching shape of its own. Some look like statues and the ones like the Split Rock are evidence of monumental natural forces that can cause a visitor to sit and wonder.

The Jumbo Rocks area is a natural playground for adventurists and a few great hiking trailheads start at the Spit Rock and Live Oak day use areas. Children are simply amazed when exploring the Jumbo Rocks, because the gigantic boulders look even bigger when close to the ground. The strange looking stacked smooth boulders are pure natural entertainment, so be sure to pack a picnic basket for the trip!
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