Joshua Tree National Park's 792,000 acres span the transition between the Mojave and Colorado deserts of Southern California. Proclaimed a national monument in 1936 and a Biosphere Reserve in 1984, Joshua Tree was designated a national park in 1994. The area boasts a rich human history and a pristine natural environment. Visitor centers, ranger stations, entrance stations and wayside exhibits are located along main roads leading into and through the park. These provide opportunities to become acquainted with park resources. Publications about the park are sold by the Joshua Tree Natural History Association at visitor centers. Detailed information on weather, road conditions, backcountry use, campgrounds and regulations may be obtained at visitor centers or entrance stations.

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General Information

Address

74485 National Park Drive
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Telephone

Voice: (760) 367-5500
Fax: (760) 367-6392

Environment

Two deserts, two large ecosystems whose characteristics are determined primarily by elevation, come together at Joshua Tree National Park. Below 3,000 feet, the Colorado Desert encompasses the eastern part of the park and features natural gardens of creosote bush, ocotillo and cholla cactus. The higher, moister and slightly cooler Mojave Desert is the special habitat of the Joshua tree. Joshua tree forests occur in the western half of the park. The western part of the park also includes some of the most interesting geologic displays found in California's deserts. In addition, five fan palm oases dot the park, indicating those few areas where water occurs naturally and where wildlife abounds.

Directions

Joshua Tree National Park lies 140 miles east of Los Angeles. You can approach it from the west via Interstate 10 and Highway 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway). The north entrances to the park are located at Joshua Tree Village and the city of Twentynine Palms. The south entrance at Cottonwood Springs, which lies 25 miles east of Indio, can be approached from the east or west, via Interstate 10.

Mileage Information

Big Bear: 63 Miles
Death Valley: 227 Miles
Grand Canyon: 349 Miles
Indio: 71 Miles
Lake Havasu: 148 Miles
Las Vegas: 205 Miles
Lauglin: 158 Miles
Los Angeles: 160 MilesP
Palm Desert: 65 Miles
Palm Springs: 53 Miles
Phoenix: 415 Miles
Riverside: 94 Miles
San Bernadino: 95 Miles
San Diego: 165 Miles
Victorville: 119 Miles

Operating Hours

The park may be visited year-round. Visitor centers are open daily, except December 25. Cottonwood Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oasis Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Climate

Days are typically clear with less than 25% humidity. Temperatures are most comfortable in the spring and fall, with an average high/low of 85¡F and 50¡F respectively. Winter brings cooler days, around 60¡F, and freezing nights. It occasionally snows at higher elevations. Summers are hot, over 100¡F during the day and not cooling much below 75¡F until the early hours of the morning.

Fees & Permits

The entrance fee is $10 per car, valid for seven days.

Golden Eagle Passport

The Golden Eagle Passport is an entrance pass to any national park, monument, historical site, recreation area, and national wildlife refuge that charges an entrance fee. It is a great convenience for those who plan on visiting several different areas that charge special fees. It is valid for one year from the purchase date. A Golden Eagle Passport may be purchased for $50 at any National Park Service entrance fee area or by mail. To order by mail, send check or money order (no cash, please) to:

National Park Service
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Room 138
Washington, DC 20242
Attention: Golden Eagle Passport

Where entry is by private vehicle, the Golden Eagle Passport will admit the passholder as well as any passengers. Where entry by private vehicle is not possible, the pass will admit the passholder, spouse, children and parents.

The Golden Eagle Passport will not reduce use fees, such as those for camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or cave tours. It covers entrance fees only.

Golden Age Passport

The Golden Age Passport is a lifetime entrance pass for those United States residents 62 years or older. These may be purchased at any National Park Service entrance fee area for a one-time processing fee of $10. The Golden Age Passport cannot be purchased by mail or telephone. Proof of age and citizenship or permanent residence must be shown at the time of purchase.

The Golden Age Passport will admit the passholder and any passengers in a private vehicle. When entrance is not via private vehicle, the pass will admit the passholder as well as children, spouse, and parents.

The Golden Age Pass grants a 50% discount to the holder on any federal use fees charged for things such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or tours. It does not, however, reduce the price of special recreation permit fees or fees for concessions.

Golden Access Passport

The Golden Access Passport is a free entrance pass to any national park, monument, historic site, recreation area, and national wildlife refuge for those who are blind or permanently disabled. The Golden Access passport may be obtained at any National Park Service entrance fee area. Proof of a medically determined disability and eligibility for receiving benefits under federal law is necessary at purchase.

The Golden Access Passport will admit the passholder and any passengers in a private vehicle. Where entrance is not by vehicle, the pass will admit the passholder, spouse, children and parents.

The Golden Access Passport also provides a 50% discount on any federal use fees charged for services and facilities. It does not cover special recreation permit fees or fees charged for concessions.

All passes described above are non-transferable.

Visitor Activities

Hiking, picnicking, interpretive walks and talks, and camping.

International Visitors

Park information is available at visitor centers and entrance stations in Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.

Food, Lodging & Services

There are no concessions within the park. However, the communities that surround the park can fulfill most visitor needs. Contact local chambers of commerce for additional information.

Safety Information

It is easy to become dehydrated in arid desert environments. Even if you plan only to drive through the park, you should carry some water with you.

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History

Joshua Tree National Park was established October 31, 1994, by President Bill Clinton. It was part of the Desert Protection Bill that signed into law the largest wilderness protection bill for the lower 48 states. His signing added 234,000 acres to the already existing national monument boundaries and elevated it to National Park status.

The park includes two deserts - the higher elevation Mojave and the lower elevation Colorado. Elevations within its boundaries range from 5,814 feet at the top of Quail Mountain to 1,000 feet in the Pinto Basin. Its earliest inhabitants were the members of the Pinto Basin culture, whose material remains have been found along an ancient shoreline within the basin and date from 5,000 to 7,000 years ago. More recent Native American dwellers included hunter-gathers who are the ancestors of the Chemehuivi, Cahuilla and Serrano peoples. Chemehuevis lived in the Oasis of Mara area of Twentynine Palms until the early 1900s. Surveyor Henry Washington visited the area in 1855.

By the late 1800s, the Oasis of Mara had become a popular watering stop for miners on their way to and from the gold mines in the Dale area to the east. Within the park's current boundaries are more than 2,000 mines and prospect holes. Some of the more productive mines included the Desert Queen, the Lost Horse, and the Eldorado. The value of ore taken is estimated at $40,000 to $40,000,000.

While mining was booming in the 1890s, the park, with its lush vegetation, was attracting cattlemen who came in search of winter ranges. At one time there were as many as 400 head of cattle grazing in the valleys of the high elevations. Some of the early cattlemen included Barker and Shay, the Talmadge brothers, Ollie Smith, and the McHaney brothers.

In the late 1920s, homesteaders began settling in the Twentynine Palms area. The development of roads into the desert brought an influx of land developers and cactus poachers. A Pasadena resident, Mrs. Minera H. Hoyt, who was extremely fond of the desert, became concerned about the removal of cacti and other desert plants to the gardens in Los Angeles. Her tireless efforts to protect the desert environment culminated in the creation of Joshua Tree National Monument in 1936.

The newly created monument was first administered by a superintendent who arrived in 1940. The Twentynine Palms Corporation deeded the eastern portion of the historic Oasis of Mara to the Park Service in 1950. That same year, the monuments boundary was reduced by 260,000 acres to exclude some mining properties. In 1976, Congress designated 420,000 acres within the monument as wilderness, protecting them from future development.

Today, more than 1,250,000 people visit the park each year, and the number will likely increase in the years ahead. As more visitors discover Joshua Tree National Park, perhaps their understanding and appreciation of the desert's fragile beauty will also increase.

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Reservation Information

Campgrounds

The parks seven campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis; no reservations are accepted. Limited sites for organized groups of up to 25 persons are available and fees are charged. It is required for you to write for information and group reservations.

Background

A wilderness permit is required for overnight camping outside of campgrounds. Call park headquarters at (530) 595-4444, ext. 5134, for a wilderness permit application.

Naturalist-led

School groups need to make reservations for naturalist-led activities. Call (530) 595-4444, ext. 5133 or 5132.

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