Hidden Desert Rituals: Unusual Experiences Around Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms
Forget the basic hikes and photo ops. Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms hold a weirder, wilder energy — if you know where to look. Think desert sound baths, secret art installations, and nighttime UFO hunts. Ready to go beyond the typical desert weekend?
1. The Integratron Sound Bath
In the tiny town of Landers, just north of Joshua Tree, lies the Integratron — a massive white dome built in the 1950s for “time travel and rejuvenation.” Today, it offers 60-minute sound baths under the dome's perfect acoustics. Lie back, close your eyes, and feel the vibrations reset your body and mind.
WKNDR Tip: Book your session early — weekends fill up fast!
2. Noah Purifoy’s Outdoor Desert Art Museum
Out on the sandy edge of town, explore Noah Purifoy’s open-air museum — a surreal landscape of massive, found-object sculptures built right into the desert. Wander among TV towers, spaceship skeletons, and haunting wooden labyrinths. It’s weird, it's beautiful, and it's totally free.
3. UFO Tours and Stargazing
Locals swear the desert skies are full of more than just stars. Hop on a guided UFO tour (yes, seriously) where night-vision goggles reveal strange lights and odd movements overhead. Whether you believe or not, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime night out.
This isn’t just a trip — it’s a chance to unplug, rediscover yourself, and maybe even witness something unexplainable. Stay somewhere inspiring like WKNDR's Parkside or Starside stays to keep the good energy flowing.
Desert magic is real. You just have to know where to find it.
