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National park in California, United States
Photo: Ryan Holliday (Wrh2), CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Joshua Tree National Park is a national park in the Southern California Desert. The park encompasses nearly of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, conserving two separate desert ecosystems at different altitudes.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Built in the early 1900s to hold water for cattle and mining use, today the area is a rain-fed reservoir attracting local wildlife. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Jumping Cholla Patch
A short walk leads through a thick stand of cholla cactus, noted for its especially prickly exterior. Near the transition between the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. Site includes a short 0.25 mi / 0.4 km loop trail through the patch.
A desert oasis that offers a respite from the arid lands around it. Willows and birds are found in abundance near this natural spring.
In the north of the park, a short trail leads through boulders to an old cattle rustler's hideout.
One of the most popular and sought-out destinations in the park. Known for its spectacular giant rock formations. Hidden canyons abound. Hiking encouraged, especially the easy-to-moderate trail to Skull Rock. Campsites available. Includes an amphitheater where Park Rangers led science and history tours.
This overlook, with an elevation of 5,185 feet (1,580 m) above sea level, is an extremely popular spot for watching the sunset. Views of Coachella Valley and the San Andreas Fault. On rare clear days the view extends over the Salton Sea and Signal Mountain in Mexico.
18 mile dirt road. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended (but not always necessary, check with rangers). This route provides more fascinating landscapes and geologic formations, with access to scenic pullouts, a few hiking trails, and some climbing access routes. (AllTrails map).
Interpretive display explaining how the alluvial fan supports more plants in such a narrow band of the desert floor.
Custom guided rock climbing for adults and children. Gourmet food provided. Locally owned and operated.
Year round rock climbing instruction, open enrollment basic to advanced classes offered weekly and customized private guiding in Joshua Tree National Park, California. All levels of climbing instruction, all ages. Groups, family outings and scouting merit badge programs. Three hours from Los Angeles and San Diego and one hour from Palm Springs, California.
Offers rock climbing guiding and instruction in Joshua Tree National Park. They hold a permit to guide in the park and hire certified guides as their instructors and guides. They are a local climber-owned and -operated business. They also have a rental space available for rent for those interested in staying overnight near the park entrance in a stand-alone casita.
Explore cultural history of early cattle ranchers and the water tank they built; watch for bighorn sheep. (AllTrails map).
Indian Cove backcountry board
Boy Scout Trailhead
A scenic trail through the edge of the Wonderland of Rocks. (AllTrails map).
A short walk to fan palm oasis with cottonwood trees; great birding location with shade. (AllTrail map).
49 Palms Oasis
A hike to an oasis surrounded by stands of fan palms and pools of water. (AllTrails map).
Short hike to a rock-enclosed valley rumored to have been used by cattle rustlers. (AllTrails map).
Lost Horse Mine is a popular destination for visitors looking for a moderate hike. Follows the haul road developed in the late 1800s by the miners. The summit elevation is 5,278 feet (1,609 m).
extended route from out-and-back Lost Horse Loop (AllTrails map)
Hike across sandy washes, then down into a canyon with numerous palm stands, with a possible side trip to Victory Palms and Munsen Canyon that involves scrambling. (AllTrail map)
A trail goes past an old gold mine and offers excellent views of the Eagle Mountains and Salton Sea, with a summit elevation of 3,371 feet (1,027 m). Strenuous. (AllTrails map)
Short, flat loop trail with interpretive signs to introduce visitors to the history and ecology of the site. (AllTrails map).
Excellent views of Lost Horse, Queen, and Pleasant Valleys with a summit elevation of 5,461 feet (1,664 m). Strenuous. The trail is well-maintained and features stone steps for most of the way. (AllTrails map)
This mill was one of the more successful gold mines in the park.
The mill was used to process gold from local mining operations. (AllTrails map)
18 sites. All sites are first-come, first-serve. This small (18 site) campground is at an elevation of 3,800 ft (1,160 m). Pit toilets. No water so bring plenty of your own. Belle is a great campground to see dark night skies.
99 sites. This large (99 site) campground is in the northwest corner of the park, but it is not accessible from the main park roads. 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.
62 sites, 3 group sites. The Cottonwood Campground is reservations only during the busy season (September-May) and has 62 sites, potable water and flush toilets.
44 sites. All sites are first-come, first-serve. The Hidden Valley Campground has pit toilets and no water. The campground is along Park Blvd and is surrounded by large boulders and Joshua Trees. Motorhomes and vehicles longer than 25 feet are not permitted.
101 sites, 13 group sites. This campground is not accessible from the main park roads and may be reached only via CA 62 and Indian Cove Road, between the North and West Entrance Stations. Indian Cove Road dead-ends at this secluded area. There are vault toilets and no water. Water is available there.
124 sites. There are 124 individual/family sites in Jumbo Rocks Campground. Reservations are required during the busy season, September to May. The largest campground in the park, near the junction of the park roads in the northern part of the park. Sites are surrounded by scenic granite formations.
31 sites. All sites are first-come, first-serve. 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.
Sheep Pass Group Campground has 6 group campsites 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.
15 sites. All sites are first-come, first-serve. White Tank Campground is nestled among immense granite boulders. RVs and trailers may not exceed a combined maximum length of 25 feet. There is no water available, bring plenty. White Tank has excellent night sky viewing and is near the darkest section of the park.
By plane
The nearest airport with passenger service:
By train
Palm Springs is also the nearest city with an Amtrak station, served by the Sunset Limited (Los Angeles-New Orleans) route.
By foot
There are numerous trails throughout the park. Be sure to carry and drink lots of water while hiking.
By bike
Many of the park trails and roads are excellent for mountain biking : check at a ranger station for options.
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Palm Springs · International · PSP
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