General Travel Planning |
Is there lodging available inside the park? |
No, but it is available outside of the north end of the park in the cities of Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley. See the Lodging Page. |
Is there camping available inside the park? |
Yes, at 8 developed campgrounds throughout the park. See the Camping Page. |
Is there food available inside the park? |
No. The nearest food is in the city of Twentynine Palms, outside the North Entrance. |
Is there fuel available inside the park? |
No. The nearest fuel is in the city of Twentynine Palms, outside the North Entrance. |
What is the location and hours of the visitor center(s)? |
There are visitor centers in the cities of Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree, outside the park boundary, and at Cottonwood Spring on Pinto Basin Road. The first two are open 8AM to 5PM, while the remote Cottonwood Spring Visitor Center is only open 9AM to 3PM. |
What are the visitation seasons in the park? |
The park can be visited year-round, although the best times are late fall through early spring. May through September are very hot, with temperatures routinely breaking the century mark. |
Are the roads open on a year-round basis? |
Yes. |
How much time is needed for a visit? |
A visit to the more developed northern end of the park can be accomplished in a single day. A second day is needed to include the remote southern end, as well as more short hikes. The vast wilderness of the park can encompass weeks of backcountry hiking. |
Park Features |
What wildlife can be seen in the park? |
Common large mammals include mule deer, bighorn sheep, bobcats, coyotes, and foxes. Most mammals are small, due to the heat and lack of water, and include 24 species of small rodents. Several species of gophers, mice, and squirrels lead the way, along with cottontails and jackrabbits. 12 species of bats are also in the area. The reptiles of the park include 18 lizards and 25 snakes, 4 of which are rattlesnakes. The California Desert Tortoise is also present, and is a threatened species. There are over 250 species of birds recorded as well. |
What plant communities are in the park? |
Trees found in the park include California juniper, singleleaf pinyon, desert willow, California fan palm (in oases) and of course Joshua trees. Creosote, Mormon tea, cheatgrass, and cholla cactus are some of the more often seen smaller plants. |
How was the park created? |
Minerva Hoyt, a resident of Pasadena, was concerned about the removal of cacti and other plants to the gardens of Los Angeles. Her efforts to protect this area lead to 825,000 acres being set aside as Joshua Tree National Monument in 1936. Much later, as part of the Desert Protection Bill, Joshua Tree National Monument was elevated to national park status on October 31, 1994. The bill also added 234,000 acres. This same act also elevated Death Valley National Park to its current size and status. |
