Welcome to Joshua Tree Park

Joshua Tree National Park preserves over 793,000 acres of the Mojave Desert country in Eastern California (established 1994). It is located immediately northeast of Palm Springs, the best place to check for nearby accomodations.

Joshua Tree was originally designated as a national monument in 1936 primarily through the efforts of Mrs. Sherman Hoyt of Pasadena, "friend of the desert". However in 1950, mining concerns successfully lobbied to eliminate a full one-third of the preserve. Only recently (1994) did it reach national park status and again expanded to cover important regions.

NPS Ranger Headquarters
74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277; 760-367-5500; Park Website;

Exciting high adventure opportunities for exploring, boating, camping, hiking, watersports, weekend retreats and more.

Mojave Desert County covers the quiet, remote northeastern corner of the state. It features an abundance of natural beauty, wilderness, recreational, hunting and fishing adventures.

Keep in mind that summer temperatures in Joshua Tree can easily hit 120-plus degrees with little cooling in the nightime. Always carry extra water.

Barstow Desert Villa Inn Location: Adjacent to Barstow Mall
The Barstow Desert Villa Inn is located near the junction of the I-15 and I-40 freeways and is right next door to the Barstow Mall. It is a great place tp enjoy the peace and serenity of the Mojave Desert. Resort guests may choose between a deluxe guestrooms or a business plus rooms which offers a well lit oversized desk and a complimentary newspaper every morning.

Hawaiian Island Getaway One of the most popular tourism destinations in the world is the Hawaiian Islands. Local attractions include touring royal palaces, miles of beautiful beaches and polynesian cultural entertainment venues.

Tour Palm Springs
Palm Springs is popularly known as the winter-golf capital of the world with almost 100 well kept golf courses. Here are a few that we consider to be the best. Area attractions include the Aerial Tramway, Air Museum, Desert Museum, Indian Canyons, Living Desert Zoo, and Desert Jeep Tours.

Palm Springs Ballantines Resort Hotel
Enter an era when design and technology were innovative. From the 1950s the Ballantines Original Hotel is a streamlined period of plastics and chrome. This hotel is small and intimate with an emphasis on vintage 50s kitsch.

Local Attractions:
Check out the local adventure opportunities:

The Joshua Tree
Standing nearly 40 feet tall, the Joshua Tree is not really a tree at all but the largest member of the Yucca family of plants. It was so name by early Mormon pioneers crossing the desert who found the angular branches to resemble the outstretched arms of Joshua leading the Israelites into the Promise Land.

Park Habitat and Vegatation
Of particular note are the many unusual plants found here including Joshua trees, cactus, ocotillo, smoke treess, palo verdes, pinon pins, yucca plants. The best time to visit is early spring when a big array of desert wildflowers reach full bloom.

Park Wildlife
Desert wildlife includes many resident and migratory birds. It is also home to bighorn sheep, coyote, bobcat, badger, desert tortoise, bats, tarrantulas, and burro deer. Also found within the park boundaries are many noteworthy landscape formations of granite rock and spiked peaks.

Park Geology
The bizarre rocky desert landscape, prevalent through much of the park, has always fascinated visitors. These formations of granite rock, called monzogranite, were created by a combination of volcanic action and erosion over millions of years. Good examples can be found at Jumbo Rocks, Wonderland of Rocks and Split Rock.

Park Climate
Temperatures can vary from over 120 degrees in the summertime to below 30 degrees on winter nights. The average daily temperature change is about 33 degrees. [On my last visit here in late December I came across many stands of snow lying on the ground.] Summertime activity should be significantly restricted or even avoided.

Park Visitor Center
Visitor Center Open Daily: 8AM-5PM (except Dec 25);
There is a visitor center near the major park entrances:
Joshua Tree V.C. - SR-62 @ Park Blvd - West Entrance
Oasis V.C. - SR-62 @ Utah Trail - North Entrance - located in Twentynine Palms - several exhibits on flora, fauna and history of the desert park.
Cottonwood Springs V.C. - Inside South Entrance

Death Valley National Park
This park preserve some of the most extreme terrain in the Western Hemisphere. Over 3,367,628 acres of scenic desert landscape. Park elevations range from 282 feet below sea-level (at Badwater) to 11,049 at Telescope Peak.

Palm Springs Marquis Villas Resort Hotel Location: So Calle Encilla;
Scenic views of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains and set right in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, the Marquis Villas offers complete comfort and charm.

Joshua Tree National Park has nine primitive campgrounds most of which require you to carry in your own wood, gas, water and other essential supplies. Camping, hiking and picnic trails are found at many locations.

Joshua Tree is most popular from early November to late April. Outdoor climate is usually quite pleasant during this time of the year. Springtime is popular because desert wildflowers are in bloom.

Ranger Programs
Enquire with any ranger about the following:
Keys Ranch Tour
Evening Campground Talks
Discovery Walks
Stargazing Party

Mojave Desert Sports & Recreation


Sports & Athletics
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Festival Guide - Sports Events
Regional Golf Courses

Mojave Desert Boy Scouts
Outdoor Recreational Adventure Activities for Youth:

Scenic Trails
Please do not try any of these during the summer. The best time is spring when wildflowers are in bloom.
Boy Scout Trail - 8 mile path that from Hidden Valley to Indian Cove.
Indian Cove Nature Trail - 1 Mile nature trail shows a good sample of the park. (Look for Indian Cove Rd, off of SR-62, 8 miles west of 29 Palms.)
Rattlesnake Canyon - 3 mile trail to the Wonderland of Rocks. (Look for Indian Cove Rd, off of SR-62, 8 miles west of 29 Palms.)
49 Palms Trail - 3 mile trail to ridgetop overlooking 29 Palms. Good area to spot the Bighorn Sheep. Several oasis, evidence of past fires and pools of water. (Look for Canyon Rd, off of SR-62, 4 miles west of 29 Palms.)
Barker Dam Loop Trail - 1.5 mile trail to old settler lake, bird-watching area, petroglyphs and the Wonderland of Rocks area. (Near Hidden Valley Campground 10 miles from north park entrance.)
Lost Horse Mine Trail - 3.5 miles trail to old 1890's gold mine. (Start at end of Keys Road, near Ryan Campground and north park entrance.)
Ryan Mountain Trail - 4 mile trail to one of the taller peaks in the park, and sign the register at the summit. Scenic views of nearby valleys. 5461 feet elevation. (Trailhead near Sheep Pass Campground near Pinto Wye Junction on Utah Trail Road.)
Los Palm Oasis Trail - 4 mile trail to a palm tree oasis hidden in a canyon. (Trailhead at Cottonwood Springs Campground, park south entrance.)
Mastadon Peak Trail - Scenic view to Eagle Mountain and the Salton Sea

Many abandon mines can be found in the area. It is recommend that you keep out. If you do enter a mine please use extreme caution.

Backcountry Camping & Hiking
Before going into the backcountry please register at the trailhead board. Wilderness camps may be located away from road or day-use area.

Bring Water
Most campgrounds do NOT have water service no RV hookups. Bring Your Own Water! Carry a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day just for drinking. Make it Double for hot weather conditions or strenuous conditions.

GPS Gear - MainTour Pro-Shop Special
Popular for Runners, Boaters, Hikers, Bikers and Adventurers
Recent technology updates have made readily affordable for outdoor adventures a nifty item - the GPS Watch.

Palm Mountain Resort Hotel
Nestled at the heart of Palm Springs, California is the fabulous Palm Mountain Resort - a friendly, charming retreat at the foot of the snowcapped San Jacinto Mountains. Those mountains shelter the resort from the warm desert breezes and provide a striking backdrop to the hotel.

Desert Camping
Campsites are limited to six people, three tents, and two cars. Group sites can accommodate 10-60 campers. Most campsites are on a first come basis with a 14-night.

Park Campgrounds
Camping Reservation Information: 1-877-444-6777;
Obtain Reservations for upto six months in advance for sites at Black Rock, Indian Cover and all group sites. Quiet Hours are 10PM-6AM. Elevation ranges from 3000'-4500'.


Belle - 18 sites - North Entrance
Black Rock - Horse Camp / Water - 100 sites - Joshua Lane Entrance
Cottonwood Springs - Water 62 sites / 3 groupsites - Park south entrance
Hidden Valley - 45 sites - Park West entrance
Indian Cove - 101 sites / 3 groupsites -
Jumbo Rocks - 125 sites - North Entrance
Ryan - 31 sites - Near Ryan Mountain in park
Sheep Pass - 4500 ft elevation - 6 groupsites only
White Tank - 15 sites - Nort Entrance

Backcountry Camping & Hiking
Before going into the backcountry please register at the trailhead board. Wilderness camps may be located away from road or day-use area.

Bring Water
Most campgrounds do NOT have water service no RV hookups. Bring Your Own Water! Carry a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day just for drinking. Make it Double for hot weather conditions or strenuous conditions.

Joshua Tree Adventure Links


Joshua Tree National Park Association - Non-Profit Volunteer Group
Joshua Tree Climbing Guides - Rock Climbing
Desert Institute - Regular field class to explore local desert natural and cultural features.
Joshua Tree Park - Travel Info
National Parks Foundation - Protecting Joshua Tree Park
National Park Reservations System - Campground Reservations
Joshua Tree Chamber - Local Business Alliance
Joshua Tree Outfitters - Outdoor Gear.
Backpacker Magazine - Tour of Joshua Tree Park
Joshua Tree Rockclimbing School
Joshua Tree Rockclimbing
Joshua Tree Village - small town located at the northern entrance to the park.
Joshua Tree Retreat Center - JTRC is the oldest and largest retreat center in the Western United States; a unique architectural landmark on a 420 acre sacred site.
Joshua Tree Realty - Local Real Estate Info
Ricochet - Joshua Tree Premier Coffee Shop
San Bernardino County - Public Works Info -
Digital Desert - 100+ interactive maps of Joshua Tree Park and neighborhoods
Joshua Tree N.P. - Virtual Tour
Joshua Tree Traveler - Local Tourism Info
Joshua Tree Railroad Museum - Model Railroad Museum
Friends of Joshua Tree - Alliance to preserve rockclimbing in Joshua Tree Park
Joshua Tree Ranch - a 40 Acre Horse Ranch, offering horseback riding adventures on the public lands in and around Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree Entertainment Links


Joshua Tree Band - Premier U2 Music Tribute
Joshua Tree Music Festival - 2nd Weekend in October - two day popular music concert
Joshua Tree Promo Reel - Youtube video clip of the U2 Concert
Radio KCDZ 107.7 FM - Joshua Park News and Entertainment

Palm Springs Wyndham Resort Hotel Location: 888 Tahquitz Canyon Way;
Glamorous Palm Springs, California, is the lovely setting for this impressive vacation retreat. Make yourself at home in a warmly appointed room with a panoramic view of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains. You'll enjoy the comfort and convenience of thoughtful business amenities like an oversized desk and Internet access that make it easy to get work done.