Noah Purifoy Joshua Tree Outdoor Museum

Day Trip to Noah Purifoy Joshua Tree Outdoor Museum

Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum is an unusual collection of artwork, way out there in the middle of nowhere along a dusty desert road.

Artist Noah Purifoy (1917-2004) moved to the desert to escape because Los Angeles was just too expensive to live in. He spent the last 15 years creating unique sculptures, buildings, and artwork out of recycled material.

Hidden away in Southern California’s high desert, Purifoy filled 10 acres of desert land with over a hundred works of art.

After the passing of Noah Purifoy in 2004, a foundation was formed dedicated to preserving his Outdoor Desert Art Museum.

Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum foundation also displays some of Noah’s work at various museums.

Admission to this unusual collection of artwork is free. There is a donation box where visitors can donate a few dollars to help preserve the site.

At the front gate, you can pick up a  pamphlet that tells the story behind the different sculptures and a biography of Noah Purifoy.

From here, you can wander around the property and gaze at what Noah Purifoy created from nothing more than other people’s junk.

Be careful while walking around. This is the desert. It is not uncommon to see a rattlesnake slithering around, especially on a hot summer day. If you plan a day trip to Joshua Tree Park, Purifoy Joshua Tree Outdoor Museum is defiantly worth checking out.

Plan on spending at least 1-2 hours exploring the Noah Purifoy Museum. Wear sunblock, carry water, and enjoy this fantastic place.

Noah Purifoy Museum Nearby Things to do and See

Integration & Giant Rock

Rising 38 feet from a powerful vortex in the middle of the Mojave Desert just outside the town of Landers and resembling a small observatory, the one-of-a-kind building is a blended design of Moses’ Tabernacle and the science of Nikola Tesla.

Pioneertown Western Movie Town Yucca Valley

Movie stars Roy Rogers and Gene Autry were instrumental in building the wild-west town to shoot films. Some filming continues, but it’s only an occasional occurrence due to the remote location.

Glass Out House 29 Palms

The Gallery itself is just part of the “show.” Trails around the property are dotted with interesting and amusing “art” that may give the viewer a chuckle. Bring your camera.

Joshua Tree National Park

The park comprises two deserts, each with an ecosystem that varies according to elevation. The Mojave Desert part is the higher elevated section, drier and more relaxed.

Getting There Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum

From Highway 62 in Joshua Tree (coming from Palm Springs), turn left on Sunburst.
Travel about four miles; the last mile is a gravel road; turn onto Aberdeen.
After the stop sign, turn left onto Center and right on Blair.

Noah Purifoy Joshua Tree Outdoor Museum 63030 Blair Lane Joshua Tree, California. Website.

More places to visit in the California Desert

Twentynine Palms California

Unusual Things to do in SoCal