Military Week- avoid 29 Palms?

Question

Read there is going to be some type of huge military exercise first part of November. We were planning on staying in Twenty Nine Palms and visiting Joshua Tree. Is this now a mistake? Traffic to get there, crowds, etc? Anyone know anything?

Answer

Twentynine Palms is home to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), the largest Marine training base in the United States. Throughout the year, the base conducts several major training exercises, and it’s common for large-scale maneuvers to take place in early November. These events bring a noticeable, though usually manageable, increase in activity around the area.

During these military exercises, the main impact for visitors tends to be related to increased traffic on the local highways, such as CA-62 (Twentynine Palms Highway) and roads leading into or around the base. You might also see more military convoys, transport vehicles, and personnel in town. However, the exercises themselves are conducted on restricted land within the base and don’t typically interfere with access to Joshua Tree National Park or local accommodations.

If you are planning to visit Joshua Tree National Park and stay in Twentynine Palms during this period, it’s still a good choice overall. The town remains one of the closest and most convenient entrances to the park (via the North Entrance), and most visitors report minimal disturbance from military activity beyond an uptick in lodging demand and occasional noise from training exercises.

Here’s what you might expect and how to plan accordingly:

Traffic and lodging: Hotels and short-term rentals can book up faster due to military personnel and contractors staying in town. Reserve accommodations early and allow extra time for driving, especially near the base’s main gates.
Noise and activity: You may hear distant artillery or aircraft noise depending on wind and weather, but it’s generally not disruptive inside the national park.
Park access: Joshua Tree National Park remains open as usual. Trails, roads, and visitor centers operate normally, and the military exercises do not affect access from Twentynine Palms.

If your main concern is crowds or peace and quiet, you can still have a great experience by adjusting your schedule slightly:

Visit the park early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid local traffic.
Explore less crowded areas such as the Pinto Basin or the North Entrance trails near Twentynine Palms.
Consider staying in nearby communities like Joshua Tree Village or Yucca Valley if you prefer a more laid-back atmosphere.

In summary, while the military exercise may bring a bit more activity to the area, it’s not a reason to avoid Twentynine Palms altogether. The town remains a convenient, scenic, and quiet base for exploring Joshua Tree National Park, with only minor potential inconveniences during training weeks.

Military Week- avoid 29 Palms?

More Twentynine Palms Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions