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Joshua Tree National Park
74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277-3597; (760) 367-7511;
NPS Website;
Park Admission: $10 per vehicle;
Visitor Center Open Daily: 8AM-5PM (except Dec 25);
Joshua Tree National Park Association - Non-Profit Volunteer Group
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.
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.
The Joshua Tree, which stands nearly 40 feet tall, 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.
Desert wildlife includes many resident and migratory birds. It is also home to bighorn sheep, coyote, bobcat, badger, desert tortoise and burro deer. Also found within the park boundaries are many noteworthy landscape formations of granite rock and spiked peaks.
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.
Oasis Visitor Center - located in Twentynine Palms - several exhibits on flora, fauna and history of the desert park.
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Joshua Tree Adventure Resources
Joshua Tree National Park Association - Non-Profit Volunteer Group
Joshua Tree Climbing Guides - Rock CLimbing
Hotel accomodations can be found at both Twentynine Palms or Palm Springs.
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.
Keep in mind that summer temperatures can easily hit 120-plus degrees with little cooling in the nightime. Always carry extra water. Summertime activity should be significantly restricted or even avoided.
Scenic Trails
Please do not try any of these during the summer. The best time is spring when wildflowers are in bloom.
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 areaa to spot
the Bighorn Sheep.
(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. (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.)
Campgrounds
Cottonwood Springs Campground - Park south entrance
Hidden Valley Campground - Park north entrance
Ryan Campground - Near Ryan Mountain in park
