JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

Joshua trees inside the park.

ESTABLISHED              SIZE

October 31, 1994                         794,000 acres

ABOUT THE PARK

Often times, I feel like I’m over-promoting California’s wonderful state parks, so I feel terrific when I get a chance to write about a National Park.  And this one in particular really surprised me in its beauty and grandeur.

Joshua Tree National Park encompasses and preserves  two ecosystems, the Mojave and the Sonoran deserts.   What’s the difference in deserts you may ask?  The answer is in the parks differing elevations.  The Sonoran Desert establishes itself under 3,000 ft., while the Mojave is a wetter and loftier.  While this may not sound like a huge difference, these two systems really stand completely apart.  This change from one ecosystem to the next is surprisingly apparent along the middle of the park, and the real highlight for most people’s visits.  At about 2 hours away from LA, this park is great for an all day excursion!

WHEN TO GO

This is an all year park.  Due to hot temperatures, it’s best to go in autumn and especially in spring when the cactus and other desert plants bloom.

WHAT TO ABSOLUTELY SEE

OCOTILLO PATCH

In the Sonoran desert portion of the park, you should see this patch of Ocotillo desert plants.  Really, these are odd looking greenish vines that ascend into the sky.  You may see flowers blooming at the ends of the stems during certain pats of the year.

CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN

Continuing to the edge of the Sonoran desert, make sure you stop at the Cholla (pronounced choy-ya) Cactus Garden.  Here, there’s a short hiking loop that guides you through a beautiful grove of these interesting looking cactus.    (By the way, these plants are also called “jumping cholla” due to the ease at which their spines stick to any passerby.)

Chollas while hiking in Joshua Tree

THE JOSHUA TREES

Probably the main attraction in the park, these yucca plants thrive at the higher Mojave elevations.  You’ll begin to see them in vast numbers along the western section of the park.

HIDDEN VALLEY TRAIL

A hiking trail that loops around a collection of million year-old rocks.  Here, rock climbers and hikers alike are attracted by the maze like rock structures that once allowed cattle rustlers to hide their stolen cattle.

KEYS VIEW

Here’s a real highlight to any hiking visit to the park.  You’ll ascend to 5,185 ft and witness an absolutley grandiose view of Palm Springs, the San Andreas Fault, the San Bernadino Mountains, and on a clear day, Mexico.  Be sure to check out this video of the White Tailed Antelope Squirrels we saw there.

HOW TO GET THERE

Two of Joshua Tree’s entrances reside among the towns of Joshua Tree and Twenty Nine Palms to the north which can be reached from CA- 62.  The third entrance can be accessed from I-10. Click here for a Google Map…

INFORMATION

HEADQUARTERS

ENTRANCE FEE

$15 dollars per vehicle, good for seven consecutive days,  $30 annual pass

PETS

Perhibitted on leashes only.  Not allowed on trails or in backcountry (more than 100 yards from rd.)

OVERNIGHT BACKPACKING

Registration required at backcountry boards.  Check with rangers on current conditions.  A permit is required for horses. CALL (760) 367-5545