What Is Joshua Tree National Park?
Joshua Tree National Park is a huge desert park that is actually split between two deserts, the Mojave and the Colorado. As you drive down the El Dorado Mine Road, you can watch the Joshua trees fade into chollas!
What Makes It Beautiful?
Joshua Tree is home to some striking rock formations that really come to life as the afternoon turns into evening. Many of them appear to have faces, so it’s easy to unleash your imagination upon these sleeping rock giants, waiting to emerge after the sun sets. Of course, the real stars of the park are the Joshua trees, especially when the setting sun throws them into silhouette. A photographer can have endless fun shooting the shadowy figures as they wave and contort endlessly across the dry landscape. Also, since this is a desert park, be sure to check out the stars after dark!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer with the National Park Service!
- Donate to the Joshua Tree National Park Association!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
The North Entrance is on the south edge of Twentynine Palms, following Utah Trail south from Highway 62.
The East Entrance is 5mi (8km) south of Joshua Tree Village, following Park Blvd/Quail Springs Rd south from Highway 62.
The South Entrance is 25mi (40km) east of Indio on I-10. Take Exit 168 to Cottonwood Springs Rd.
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit the Park?
Since Joshua Tree is a desert park, the high season is actually in the fall through spring. However, I would not encourage seeking solitude in the heat of the summer! Joshua Tree is popular, but it does not have traffic-inducing sights or animals like Yellowstone. Your biggest competition will be for a camp site, so if you visit in the spring or fall, reserve well in advance, and you’ll quickly see why this is California’s second most visited park!
More Photos
