The 'Junk Dada' sculptures and installations of African American artist Noah Purifoy (1917–2004) are collected by the world's finest museums, but some of his coolest works can be seen for free at his former outdoor desert studio north of Joshua Tree. Toilets, tires, monitors, bicycles and beds are among the eclectic castoffs he turned variously into political statements, social criticism or just plain nonsense. Pick up a pamphlet for a self-guided tour.

© gabriel12/Shutterstock
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
 - 29.43 MILES - Palm Springs has long been famous a celebrity playground, but few destinations in the valley better exemplify that pedigree than Sunnylands, the retreat… 
 - 19.13 MILES - High atop the Little San Bernardino Mountains, Keys View offers panoramic views of the whole Coachella Valley spread out like a picnic blanket. On clear… 
 - 29.66 MILES - Art fans should not miss this museum and its changing exhibitions drawn from a stellar collection of international modern and contemporary painting,… 
 - 12.22 MILES - This striking rock labyrinth extends roughly from Indian Cove in the north to Park Blvd in the south and is predictably a popular rock climbers' haunt… 
 - 12.14 MILES - Looking like an 1870s frontier town, Pioneertown was actually built in 1946 as a Hollywood Western movie set. Gene Autry and Roy Rogers were among the… 
 - 15.01 MILES - Behind the park HQ and Oasis Visitor Center, this natural oasis encompasses the original 29 palm trees that gave Twentynine Palms its name. They were… 
 - 16.27 MILES - As if from a page out of a Dr Seuss book, the whimsical-looking Joshua trees welcome visitors to this 794,000-acre park at the convergence of the Colorado… 
 - 9.48 MILES - It may look just like a white-domed structure, but in reality it's an electrostatic generator for time travel and cell rejuvenation. Yup! At least that's… 
Nearby Joshua Tree National Park attractions
1. Beauty Bubble Salon & Museum
4.43 MILES
Jeff Hafler loves hair and everything to do with it, which is why his Steel Magnolias–type home salon brims with related vintage beauty paraphernalia he's…
2. World-Famous Crochet Museum
4.44 MILES
An old lime-green photo booth is the home of Bunny, Buddy and hundreds of their crocheted friends collected by Shari Elf. The artist, singer, fashion…
9.48 MILES
It may look just like a white-domed structure, but in reality it's an electrostatic generator for time travel and cell rejuvenation. Yup! At least that's…
10.53 MILES
Rock hounds love the hulking caramel-colored formations in this northern corner of the park, while birders are drawn by feathered friends hiding out among…
12.14 MILES
Looking like an 1870s frontier town, Pioneertown was actually built in 1946 as a Hollywood Western movie set. Gene Autry and Roy Rogers were among the…
12.22 MILES
This striking rock labyrinth extends roughly from Indian Cove in the north to Park Blvd in the south and is predictably a popular rock climbers' haunt…
12.55 MILES
Old West history buffs will delight in the 90-minute ranger-led tour of this ranch named after its builder, William Keys. He and his family built a…
15.01 MILES
Behind the park HQ and Oasis Visitor Center, this natural oasis encompasses the original 29 palm trees that gave Twentynine Palms its name. They were…