Teddy Bear Cholla

Joshua Tree National Park is a vast and beautiful protected area located in the breathtaking region of southern California. It is characterized by its rugged rock formations and stark, arid desert landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see. Named for the iconic region’s twisted, bristled Joshua trees, the park straddles two distinct desert ecosystems: the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the higher, cooler Mojave Desert. One stunning vantage point, Keys View, offers a breathtaking look out over the expansive Coachella Valley below. The park also features hiking trails that weave through the boulders of Hidden Valley, inviting visitors to explore their enchanting beauty.

One of the “must-see” spots in Joshua Tree National Park is undoubtedly the captivating Cholla Cactus Garden. Walking through this exquisite garden is quite exhilarating, as it’s filled with the delightful sight of The Teddy Bear Cactus, which are these cute and fluffy looking cacti that seem to be everywhere. From a distance, the entire garden presents a whimsical appearance, resembling a soft bed you might be tempted to lay on. However, I would highly recommend against doing this, as you’ll soon realize that these charming plants have a hidden side. As you walk through and get up close and personal with them, you will discover just how spiky they truly are. If it happens to be windy on the day of your visit, these prickly plants could make their presence known, potentially leaving you with a rather uncomfortable prickly souvenir.

This amazing garden is a sight to behold any time of day, but the best time to visit and photograph it is undoubtedly at sunrise. This particular visit meant I was up bright and early to capture that enchanting moment. Since I was staying nearly an hour away from the garden, arriving before dawn required me to set a very early alarm. Was the effort worth it? An absolute 100% YES! Watching the sunrise is genuinely one of my all-time favorite experiences, and seeing it rise to light up this magical garden of cacti left me completely speechless. My only regret from this incredible experience was not moving around enough. I became so enamored with the composition in the photograph I captured that I forgot to explore and change perspectives. Instead, I just kept shooting as the stunning scene unfolded right in front of me.

If you happen to be fortunate enough to arrive at the Cholla Cactus Garden for sunrise, please keep a few important things in mind. First, always watch where you step to avoid unexpected encounters with the cacti. Second, don’t forget to move around and explore the area in order to capture more than just one truly great image. Happy adventuring!

 
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California