Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park lies in southern California, east of Palm Springs and about two and a half to three hours by road from Los Angeles. It was protected as a national monument in 1936 and became a national park on 31 October 1994. It covers about 3,200 square kilometres.

Two deserts meet inside the park. The higher, cooler Mojave Desert in the west is where the Joshua tree grows, while the lower Colorado Desert in the east has creosote bush, ocotillo and the cholla cactus garden. The Joshua tree, a type of yucca, is said to have been named by Mormon settlers who thought its raised branches looked like the prophet Joshua praying.

Huge piles of granite boulders, shaped by weathering over millions of years, are the other defining feature. Areas such as Hidden Valley, Jumbo Rocks and Skull Rock draw rock climbers from around the world, with thousands of routes. Keys View, at about 1,580 metres, looks over the Coachella Valley toward the San Andreas Fault and on clear days to Mexico.

Short trails lead to the Cholla Cactus Garden, Barker Dam, where rock art and a small reservoir survive from ranching days, and the oasis at Forty Nine Palms. The park is an International Dark Sky Park, and stargazing is popular on moonless nights.

As of October 2026 the National Park Service charges 30 US dollars per private vehicle for seven days. There is little shade or water inside the park and no fuel, so bring enough supplies. October to April is the best season, as summer daytime temperatures often exceed 38 degrees Celsius.

Which entrance should you use? Joshua Tree has three main entrances. The West Entrance near the town of Joshua Tree is closest to Hidden Valley and Keys View, and it has the longest queues on weekends. The North Entrance at Twentynine Palms is quieter and close to the Oasis Visitor Center. The Cottonwood entrance in the south, reached from Interstate 10, is the quickest way in from Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.

A park-only annual pass costs USD 55 for US citizens and residents. Visitors under 16 do not need a pass. Non-US residents can use the weekly passes or the USD 250 America the Beautiful nonresident annual pass. Park Boulevard and Pinto Basin Road, which link the three entrances, are paved and suit any car.

Camping and staying nearby. The park has nine campgrounds, among them Jumbo Rocks, Hidden Valley and Black Rock, and most sites are reserved ahead from autumn to spring on Recreation.gov. Camping fees vary by campground. Outside the park, the towns of Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms have motels, desert rentals and supermarkets along Highway 62.