Joshua Tree National Park

 Viewed from the road, this desert park only hints at its vitality. Closer examination reveals a fascinating variety of plants and animals that make their home in this land shaped by strong winds, unpredictable torrents of rain, and climatic extremes. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the attraction of this place.

Official Website

Joshua Tree National Park Map

Geography

Joshua Tree is a transition zone. Deserts don’t have firm boundaries and, much of the park lies in the overlap between the Colorado and Mojave deserts. This transition has a wealth of biological diversity and is home to species characteristic of each desert ecosystem.

Colorado Desert

The eastern half of the park, below 3,000 feet above sea level, lies within the Colorado Desert. It features the habitats of Creosote bush scrub; Ocotillo, desert Saltbush and mixed scrub including Yucca and Cholla cactus. There are areas of such cactus density they appear as natural gardens. The lower Coachella Valley is on the southeastern side of the Park with sandy soil grasslands and desert dunes. Many small mammals, birds and reptiles live here and are well adapted to the harsh environment.

 Cholla Cactus Grove in Colorado Desert part of the park

Mojave Desert

The western half of the park, at elevations above 3,000 feet, is Mojave Desert habitat. It is considered higher, drier, and slightly cooler compared to the western half of the park and is known for the Joshua tree for which the park is named. The dominant geologic features of this landscape are hills of bare rock, usually broken up into loose boulders.

 Mojave Desert part of the park

Safety

It is easy to become dehydrated in arid desert environments. Even if you only plan to drive through the park, you should have some water with you. If you are going to camp, we recommend one gallon of water per person per day. If you are going to be hiking or biking, you will want to take along two gallons per person. Drink the water and do not economize. When the water is half gone, it is time to turn back. Joshua Tree is of course a desert and the hot temperatures during the day can drop dangerously low during the night. Wear the right clothing for the time of day you plan to visit the park and bring layers is always recommended.

What to Do

Camping

Nine established campgrounds exist in the park, only two of which (Black Rock Canyon and Cottonwood) provide water and flush toilets. A fee is charged per night for each camping spot. Backcountry camping, for those who wish to backpack, is permitted with a few regulations.

Hiking

There are several hiking trails within the park, many of which can be accessed from a campground. Shorter trails, such as the one mile hike through Hidden Valley, offer a chance to view the beauty of the park without straying too far into the desert. A section of the California Riding and Hiking Trail meanders for 35 miles through the western side of the park. The lookout point at Keys View, towards the south of the park, offers views of the Coachella Valley and Salton Sea.

Nature walks inside the park include: Hidden Valley, Indian Cove, and Cholla Cactus Garden.

Longer trails include: Lost Horse Mine, Lost Palms Oasis, and Fortynine Palms Oasis.

Rock Climbing

The park is popular with rock climbers and was originally a winter practice area while Yosemite Valley and other parts of the Sierra Nevada were snowbound, but later became an area of interest in its own right. There are thousands of named climbing routes, at all levels of difficulty. The routes are typically short, the rocks being rarely more than 230 ft (70 m) in height, but access is usually a short, easy walk through the desert, and it is possible to do a number of interesting climbs in a single day.

Star Gazing

It is estimated that only around 10 percent of the population of the United States is able to see the night sky in its natural, unpolluted state. No wonder visitors to Joshua Tree National Park are awed and astounded when they get their first glimpse of the night sky. It’s the perfect place to get a nice, clear view of the Milky Way. Joshua Tree is especially popular on nights when meteor showers are visible to the naked eye.