Our first backpacking trip on Joshua Tree's Boy Scout Trail. Learn about backcountry camping permits, campsites, gear, and what to expect on an overnight desert adventure.

Explore the northern half of Death Valley National Park, including Titus Canyon, Ubehebe Crater, Mesquite Springs Campground, and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

Our second night at Texas Spring Campground was completely different from the first, with a better campsite, unexpected rain, strong winds, and a reminder that Death Valley weather can surprise you.

Follow our first full day exploring Death Valley National Park, including Badwater Basin, Natural Bridge, Devil's Golf Course, Artist's Drive, and Zabriskie Point.

We spent our first night in Death Valley National Park camping at Texas Spring Campground. Here's what the campground was like, plus an unforgettable evening with a lone coyote.

Our first backpacking trip in Joshua Tree National Park didn't go quite as planned. Here's what we learned from a freezing night at Juniper Flats and why we couldn't wait to try again.

Our first camping trip in Mojave National Preserve included freezing nights, spectacular stars, the Hole-in-the-Wall Rings Trail, Lava Tubes, and Kelso Dunes. It wasn't perfect, but it sparked a love of camping.