Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is located in southeastern California, covering a total area of approximately 800,000 acres. It is situated at the convergence of the Colorado and Mojave Deserts, creating a unique and diverse landscape. The park is named after the iconic Joshua trees that can be found abundantly throughout the area.

The historical background of Joshua Tree National Park dates back thousands of years. Evidence suggests that tribes such as the Chemehuevi, Serrano, and Cahuilla have inhabited the area for over 10,000 years, utilizing the park's resources for survival. Spanish explorers later traversed the region, followed by miners and cattlemen in the 19th century.

Today, the park offers a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors. Hiking is a popular choice, with over 400 miles of scenic trails ranging from easy strolls to challenging treks. The park's famous rock formations and boulder piles also draw climbers from around the world. Bicycling, horseback riding, and camping are other common recreational activities available within the park.

In addition to its natural beauty, Joshua Tree National Park offers several not-to-be-missed attractions. Keys View, one of the park's most Instagram-worthy lookouts, provides stunning panoramic views of the Coachella Valley and San Andreas Fault. Skull Rock, a peculiar rock formation resembling a skull, is another popular spot for unique photo opportunities. The Cholla Cactus Garden fascinates visitors with its dense concentration of cholla cacti, creating a surreal landscape.

Moreover, the California desert's close proximity to several vibrant cities makes it an ideal destination for day trips and additional exploration. Palm Springs, known for its mid-century modern architecture and hot springs, is a mere 45-minute drive away. For art enthusiasts, the Joshua Tree Art Gallery and local art studios offer a glimpse into the region's creative side.

All in all, Joshua Tree National Park's desert landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich history make it a captivating destination for nature lovers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether it is taking in stunning vistas, embarking on challenging hikes, or simply marveling at the unique Joshua trees, this national park offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

Joshua Tree National Park is situated in Southern California, covering a vast area of approximately 800,000 acres. It is located within both San Bernardino County and Riverside County. The park lies at the crossroads of two major desert ecosystems, the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert, making it a unique and captivating destination. Within its boundaries, visitors can witness a diverse landscape featuring rugged rock formations, vast stretches of sandy plains, stark desert vegetation, and of course, the iconic Joshua Trees. This geographical location makes Joshua Tree National Park an enchanting blend of desert beauty, where visitors can truly immerse themselves in the tranquility and allurement of the southwestern desert setting.

Address & Contact

74485 National Park Drive
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277-3597
Driving Directions
Phone: 7603675500
Web: Link

Weather & Seasonality

The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park would be during the months of March and April. During these months, the average maximum temperature ranges from 75°F to 82°F, providing pleasant weather for outdoor activities. Additionally, the average minimum temperature is between 45°F and 51°F, ensuring comfortable nights. The average monthly precipitation during this time is low, with values of 0.3 in and 0.16 in respectively. These months offer a great balance between favorable weather conditions and avoiding large crowds, making them ideal for a visit to the park.

Activities

Some of the activities you can do in Joshua Tree National Park are: Astronomy Stargazing Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Biking Camping Backcountry Camping Car or Front Country Camping Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use) Climbing Rock Climbing Hiking Front-Country Hiking Backcountry Hiking Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Horse Trekking Horseback Riding Self-Guided Tours - Auto Group Camping Horse Camping (see also camping)

Topics

Learn about these topics at Joshua Tree National Park: Animals Birds Geology Groundwater Freshwater Springs Night Sky Archeology Industry Native American Heritage Westward Expansion Tortoises and Turtles Trails Unique Species Wilderness Mining Climate Change Endangered Ranches Homesteading Farming and Agriculture

Visitor Centers

Joshua Tree Visitor Center

Located in downtown Joshua Tree just five miles from the West Entrance, the Joshua Tree Visitor Center offers educational exhibits, a bookstore, and visitor resources. Grab a park map, buy an entrance pass, and chat with a park ranger to get all your questions answered before heading into the park! The parking lot at the visitor center has 2 standard accessible spaces and 40 other spaces. The restrooms have grab bars available in all larger stalls intended for wheelchair users and running water.

Passport Stamp locations

The following locations have passport stamps for your "Passport to Your National Parks" booklet: Joshua Tree Visitor Center.

Campsites within or near Joshua Tree National Park

Belle Campground

This small campground has 18 sites. There are pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. There is no water so bring plenty of your own. To secure a campsite, 1. Locate an empty campsite. 2. Occupy the site (set up a tent or leave personal items to show site occupancy). 3. Proceed immediately to an entrance station to complete registration and pay. You must pay for the site within one hour of set up. If arriving after entrance stations close, payment may be delayed until morning.
Fees (US$): 15.00 (Campsite Fee), 7.50 (Senior/Access Pass Campsite Fee)
Total Campsites: 18
Toilets: Vault Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Black Rock Campground

This large (99 site) campground is located in the northwest corner of the park. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring with rest rooms and water nearby. Shopping facilities are only five miles away in the town of Yucca Valley. Campsites vary in size and can accommodate both tents and RVs. A day-use picnic area and a dump station are also available. For horse owners, a separate area is provided for camping or for staging a ride.
Fees (US$): 25.00 (Campsite), 20.00 (Black Rock Horse Site), 12.50 (Senior/Access Pass Campsite), 10.00 (Senior/Access Pass Black Rock Horse Campsite)
Total Campsites: 99
Toilets: Flush Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - year round

Cottonwood Campground

The Cottonwood Campground is reservation only and has 62 sites, potable water and flush toilets. The Campground is near the Cottonwood Visitor Center in the southeast part of the park. The closest metropolitan area is Indio about 30 miles away.
Fees (US$): 25.00 (Campsite Fee), 40.00 (Group Campsite Fee), 12.50 (Senior/Access Pass Campsite Fee), 20.00 (Senior/Access Pass Group Campsite Fee)
Total Campsites: 62
Toilets: Flush Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - year round

Hidden Valley Campground

The Hidden Valley Campground has 44 sites. There are pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. There is no water so bring plenty of your own. To secure a campsite, 1. Locate an empty campsite. 2. Occupy the site (set up a tent or leave personal items to show site occupancy). 3. Proceed immediately to an entrance station to complete registration and pay. You must pay for the site within one hour of set up. If arriving after entrance stations close, payment may be delayed until the following morning.
Fees (US$): 15.00 (Hidden Valley Campsite), 7.50 (Senior/Access Pass Hidden Valley Campsite)
Total Campsites: 44
Toilets: Vault Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Indian Cove Campground

Indian Cove Campground is located off of Highway 62, thirteen miles east of Joshua Tree Village and ten miles west of Twentynine Palms. It has 101 campsites, including thirteen group campsites. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, there are 39 reservable sites. There are vault toilets but no water at the campsites. There is a water bottle/jug filling station at the small ranger station roughly two miles north of the campground. For a RV-filling station, there is one at our headquarters in 29 Palms.
Fees (US$): 20.00 (Individual Campsite at Indian Cove), 50.00 (Group Campsite at Indian Cove), 10.00 (Senior/Access Pass Individual Campsite at Indian Cove), 25.00 (Senior/Access Group Campsite at Indian Cove)
Total Campsites: 101
Toilets: Vault Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Jumbo Rocks Campground

There are 124 individual/family sites in Jumbo Rocks Campground. Reservations are required. The campground is centrally located and offers great views of rock formations. This campground is very popular, and sites book up quickly.
Fees (US$): 20.00 (Jumbo Rocks Campsite), 10.00 (Senior/Access Pass Jumbo Rocks Campsite)
Total Campsites: 124
Toilets: Vault Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Ryan Campground

Ryan Campground has 31 campsites. All campsites are reservation only. The campground is centrally located in the park and is adjacent to the California Riding and Hiking Trail. There are 4 designated equestrian sites and reservations are required. For more equestrian campsites, see Black Rock Campground. There is no water available at Ryan Campground. There are 3 bicycle sites available at $5 per night, with no more than 3 tents and 3 people per campsite.
Fees (US$): 20.00 (Ryan Individual Campsite), 15.00 (Ryan Horse Site), 5.00 (Ryan Bicycle Sites), 10.00 (Senior/Access Pass Ryan Individual Campsite), 7.50 (Senior/Access Pass Ryan Horse Site), 2.50 (Senior/Access Pass Ryan Bicycle Campsite)
Total Campsites: 32
Toilets: Vault Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Sheep Pass Group Campground

Sheep Pass Group Campground has 6 group campsites and is centrally located within Joshua Tree National Park and is easily accessible to hiking trails and rock climbing routes. All campsites are by reservation only. It is one of three group campgrounds in the park. Towering rock formations and uniquely-shaped Joshua trees surround the facility. There is no water available in the campground.
Fees (US$): 50.00 (Group Campsite at Sheep Pass), 25.00 (Senior/Access Pass Group Campsite at Sheep Pass)
Total Campsites: 6
Toilets: Vault Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

White Tank Campground

This is small campground with 15 sites. There are pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. There is no water available. RVs and vehicles with trailers may not exceed 25 feet. To secure a site, 1. Locate an empty campsite. 2. Occupy the site (set up a tent or leave personal items to show occupancy). 3. Proceed immediately to an entrance station to complete registration and pay. You must pay for the site within one hour of set up. If entrance stations are closed, payment may be delayed until morning.
Fees (US$): 15.00 (Individual Campsite at White Tank), 7.50 (Senior/Access Pass Individual Campsite at White Tank)
Total Campsites: 15
Toilets: Vault Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Hotels within or near Joshua Tree National Park

Quality Inn & Suites Indio I-10

With a stay at Quality Inn & Suites Indio I-10 in Indio, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Fantasy Springs Casino and Indio Towne Center. Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, express check-in, and express check-out. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 84096 Indio Springs Dr, Indio, California 92201
Web: Link

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

With a stay at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Coachella, you'll be next to a golf course, just steps from Fantasy Springs Casino and a 4-minute drive from Indio Towne Center. Featured amenities include a business center, express check-in, and express check-out. Free valet parking is available onsite.
Address: 84245 Indio Springs Pkwy, Coachella, California 92203
Web: Link

WorldMark Indio

With a stay at WorldMark Indio in Indio (Terra Lago), you'll be a 5-minute drive from Indio's Municipal Golf Course and 5 minutes from Indio Towne Center. Featured amenities include a business center, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 42-151 WorldMark Way, Indio, California 92203
Web: Link

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Indio, an IHG Hotel

Located in Indio, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Indio, an IHG Hotel is within a 5-minute drive of Fantasy Springs Casino and Indio Towne Center. Featured amenities include a business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 84054 Indio Springs Drive, Indio, California 92203
Web: Link

City Center Motel

With a stay at City Center Motel in Indio, you'll be within a 15-minute walk of Davis Sports Complex and South Jackson Park. Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities, and a vending machine. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 83597 Indio Blvd., Indio, California 92201
Web: Link

Coachella Valley Vacation Home

Located in Indio, this vacation home is a 5-minute drive from Fantasy Springs Casino and 14 minutes from Empire Polo Club. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 41745 Goodrich Street, Indio, California 92203
Web: Link

Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Indio Coachella Valley

With a stay at Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Indio Coachella Valley in Indio, you'll be within a 15-minute walk of Indio Towne Center and Indio's Municipal Golf Course. Featured amenities include a business center, express check-in, and express check-out. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 42655 Marmara St, Indio, California 92203
Web: Link

Coachella Splash Pad Four Bedroom House

Located in Indio, this vacation home is in the mountains, within a 5-minute drive of Fantasy Springs Casino and Indio Towne Center. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 84451 Volare Ave, Indio, California 92203
Web: Link

Hampton Inn & Suites Indio

Located in Indio, Hampton Inn & Suites Indio is within a 5-minute drive of Indio Towne Center and Indio's Municipal Golf Course. Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, an elevator, and coffee/tea in a common area. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 42261 Spectrum Street, Indio, California 92203
Web: Link

43128sen 4 Bedroom Home

Located in Indio (Terra Lago), this vacation home is within a 5-minute drive of Fantasy Springs Casino and Indio Towne Center. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 43128 Sentiero Dr, Indio, California 92203
Web: Link