About Joshua Tree National Park
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California. Come explore for yourself!
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
Days are typically clear with less than 25% humidity. Temperatures are most comfortable in the spring and fall, with an average highs around 85°F (29°C) and average lows around 50°F (10°C) respectively. Winter brings cooler days, around 60°F (15°C), and freezing nights. It occasionally snows at higher elevations. Summers are…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: California. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Entrance Fees
7-day vehicle permit, admitting the passengers of a single, non-commercial vehicle on the day of purchase and for the next six days.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
7-day entrance fee, per person on foot or bike.
Operating Hours
Joshua Tree National Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Visitation increases as temperatures moderate in the fall, peaks during the spring wildflower season, and diminishes during the heat of summer. Some areas of the park are designated for day use only. Visitor centers keep separate hours; please see descriptions.
Activities
Current Alerts
The 49 Palms trail along with some campgrounds, facilities, and areas have adjusted availability during the summer. For the full list of changes, please visit our Summer Closures page.
Due to a heavy flooding event, the Oasis of Mara Trail is closed past the Oasis.
Some third-party hiking apps are providing inaccurate trail and safety information to users. Please use the official NPS app for accurate information.
Getting There
From I-10, take exit 117 for CA Hwy 62 toward 29 Palms/Yucca Valley. This will allow you to access the West Entrance, the North Entrance, Black Rock, and Indian Cove. Take exit 168 off I-10 to come in at the park's South Entrance.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Entrance Passes
This pass is valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. It covers the entrance fee to Joshua Tree National Park for the pass signee and accompanying passengers entering in a single, non-commercial vehicle. Joshua Tree Annual Passes are available at park entrance stations and visitor centers.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Stargazing at Joshua Tree
Enjoy Joshua Tree National Park's amazing night sky.
Hike Cholla Cactus Garden
An easy quarter mile hike through a cholla patch along Pinto Basin Road.
Hike Skull Rock
A relatively flat, 1.7-mile loop trail. Hike through the large, granite boulder fields around the Jumbo Rocks area, including one…
Attend a Ranger Stroll
Join a ranger on an educational stroll.
Birding at Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park offers a wide range of birds for birders to discover.
Hike Boy Scout Trail
Explore the Wonderland of Rocks on the Boy Scout Trail.
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
Hike Fortynine Palms Oasis
A difficult three mile hike to a desert oasis.
Drive Park Boulevard
A scenic drive through Joshua Tree National Park.
Hike Barker Dam Trail
Enjoy an easy 1.1 mile hike on the Barker Dam Nature Trail.
Attend an Evening Ranger Program
Attend an evening program at Joshua Tree National Park.
Visit the Universal Threads Exhibit
Visit the Universal Threads Exhibit and learn about the intertwining relationships between plants, animals, earth, sky, and human life.
Horseback Riding in Joshua Tree National Park
Horseback riding designated trails in Joshua Tree National Park.
Boy Scout Trail Zone Backpacking
Experience Joshua Tree National Park's wilderness by backpacking along the Boy Scout Trail.
Biking in Joshua Tree National Park
Biking in Joshua Tree National Park
Pine City Zone Backpacking
Backpack through the Joshua Tree wilderness in the Pine City Zone.
Maze Zone Backpacking
Backpack the Joshua Tree wilderness in the Maze Zone.
Juniper Flats Zone Backpacking
Backpack in the Juniper Flats Zone
Black Rock Zone Backpacking
Backpack in the Black Rock Zone at Joshua Tree National Park. The Black Rock Zone features a wide variety of hiking trails through mountains,…
Showing 18 of 48 NPS Things to Do records available for Joshua Tree National Park.
Visitor Centers
Joshua Tree Visitor Center
Located in downtown Joshua Tree just five miles from the West Entrance, the Joshua Tree Visitor Center offers educational exhibits, a bookstore, and visitor resources.…
Cottonwood Visitor Center
Located on Pinto Basin Road, approximately 7 miles north of Interstate 10 (exit 168), the Cottonwood Visitor Center is a convenient stop for those entering…
Black Rock Nature Center
Located in the heart of the beautiful Black Rock Campground, the Nature Center offers a bookstore, art gallery, visitor resources, and a picnic area. Visitors…
Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center
The Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center is located in downtown Twentynine Palms and features educational exhibits, a bookstore and giftshop, and visitor information.
Campgrounds
Black Rock Campground
This large (99 site) campground is located in the northwest corner of the park. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring with rest…
Belle Campground
This small campground has 18 sites. There are pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. There is no water so bring plenty of your own.…
Jumbo Rocks Campground
There are 124 individual/family sites in Jumbo Rocks Campground. Reservations are required. The campground is centrally located and offers great views of rock formations. This…
Indian Cove Campground
Indian Cove Campground is located off of Highway 62, thirteen miles east of Joshua Tree Village and ten miles west of Twentynine Palms. It has…
Hidden Valley Campground
The Hidden Valley Campground has 44 sites. There are pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. There is no water so bring plenty of your…
Cottonwood Campground
The Cottonwood Campground is reservation only and has 62 sites, potable water and flush toilets. The Campground is near the Cottonwood Visitor Center in the…
Ryan Campground
Ryan Campground has 31 campsites. All campsites are reservation only. The campground is centrally located in the park and is adjacent to the California Riding…
White Tank Campground
This is small campground with 15 sites. There are pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. There is no water available. RVs and vehicles with…
Sheep Pass Group Campground
Sheep Pass Group Campground has 6 group campsites and is centrally located within Joshua Tree National Park and is easily accessible to hiking trails and…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
🗺️ Guided Tours & Experiences
Discover Joshua Tree National Park with expert-led tours
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
🏨 Search Lodging for Joshua Tree National Park
Review lodging results matching this park or site name
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.