An Secret Joshua Tree Destination
Garth’s Boulder Gardens is a 640 acre sanctuary located near Pioneertown, CA, about 20 miles from Joshua Tree. The wilderness seeks to embody spirituality, living with nature, and interfaith cooperation. I visited in October 2016. At the time, it was relatively easy to visit if you could figure out how to get there. I’m afraid I haven’t been there since, but now you can find it Google Maps (labeled as Boulder Gardens Sanctuary), and I would check the Garth’s Boulder Gardens Sanctuary website to confirm visiting practices. There’s also a Garth’s Boulder Gardens Facebook page that you can check before going. Also, when I first drove in, I saw several cars camping, so I believe you camp there if you wish. As mentioned, please check their sites to make arrangements.
Apparently, Garth purchased the site in 1981. He added fruit trees and desert plants over time. In the beginning, he had to bring in his own water, but now the site has a well, a rock pool, and a sauna. Garth calls the road leading to the Sanctuary “God’s Way Love”.
When you arrive at the sanctuary, you can’t miss Garth’s tipi, pictured below. It’s one of the first things you’ll see.
People were also hanging out on couches in an outdoor seating area. The only obvious signs of civilization were the cars and trucks. Otherwise, the couches and structures seem to blend into the desert background.
The sanctuary felt very communal, and people were welcoming. We said hi and then continued to wander through the property.
There’s also some cool art to see. I particularly liked this octopus like piece. I’m a big an of desert art. It’s always fascinating to see what people can create with limited, ordinary objectives. I’m always happy to be surprised, or to run into things I wouldn’t normally think of.
There were also some pens for keeping various fowl. At first I couldn’t tell what this structure was, it looked somewhat like a covered wagon.
I liked how some of the art seemed to meld into the natural environment. If you were farther away, you might not even notice some of these pieces.
There also some miscellaneous buildings and pets. It did seem to be a world unto itself, far away from society and the ruckus of city life.
This might be a bathroom, I’m afraid I didn’t really check. I don’t think there’s water, electricity or plumbing. Being a city boy, I always wonder how people manage in the desert without these creature comforts.
I loved this lazy dog lying in the sand. He seemed so comfortable.
Garth’s isn’t a common destination, it remains little known among Joshua Tree visitors. When I visited, I had to ask several people at Harriet and Pappy’s in Pioneertown before someone could give me directions. It’s a wonderful little community that captures a unique vision of desert life. In many ways, it’s exactly the kind of community you would expect in Joshua Tree. Located not far from Pioneertown and the popular Pappy and Harriet’s, I loved the electic, isolated and even romantic character of the place. Next time you’re in Joshua Tree, check it out.
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