Plan a Joshua Tree National Park trip with practical information on entrance fees, park hours, Joshua trees, rock formations, hiking, camping, stargazing, rock climbing, wildlife, accessibility and safety.
Joshua Tree National Park is one of Southern California's most distinctive desert landscapes. The park protects a remarkable meeting of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, creating a landscape of Joshua trees, rugged granite formations, desert washes and wide-open mountain scenery.
The park is especially famous for its unusual Joshua tree forests and enormous piles of weathered granite. These landscapes have made Joshua Tree a major destination for hiking, rock climbing, photography and stargazing.
Popular destinations include Hidden Valley, Keys View, Barker Dam, Skull Rock, Jumbo Rocks, Cholla Cactus Garden and Cottonwood Spring. Scenic roads connect many of the park's major viewpoints and trailheads.
A successful Joshua Tree visit requires planning around the desert environment. Summer temperatures can become dangerously high, shade is limited and water is not available throughout the park.
The most important planning details to know before you arrive.
Joshua Tree protects portions of both the higher Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert.
The park is renowned for exceptionally dark night skies and is an outstanding destination for astronomy.
Thousands of climbing routes wind through Joshua Tree's famous granite formations.
Cooler fall, winter and spring conditions generally provide better opportunities for daytime hiking than summer.
Joshua Tree requires an entrance fee for most visitors. Ordinary visits generally do not require an entrance reservation, but fees, permits and special-use requirements can change.
| Pass / Entry Type | Current Information |
|---|---|
| Private vehicle | 7-day admission |
| Motorcycle | 7-day admission |
| Individual entry | 7-day admission |
| Children | See current NPS requirements |
| Joshua Tree Annual Pass | Valid for Joshua Tree |
| America the Beautiful Pass | Valid federal recreation pass |
Entrance fees and other requirements can change. Confirm current prices and policies with the National Park Service before traveling.
Joshua Tree National Park is generally open 24 hours a day, year-round. Individual entrance stations, visitor centers, campgrounds and facilities have their own operating schedules.
Joshua Tree's major attractions combine unusual desert vegetation, giant granite formations, scenic viewpoints, historic sites and spectacular night skies.
Hidden Valley is surrounded by massive granite formations and offers one of the park's most accessible introductions to the Joshua Tree landscape.
Good for: Hiking, rock formations, photography and a picnic stop.
Keys View provides expansive views across the Coachella Valley from a high point in the Little San Bernardino Mountains.
Good for: Sunset, sunrise, photography and panoramic desert views.
Skull Rock is one of Joshua Tree's most recognizable granite formations, naturally weathered into a shape resembling a skull.
Tip: The surrounding Jumbo Rocks area is excellent for exploring additional rock formations.
Jumbo Rocks contains enormous rounded granite boulders and is one of the park's most popular areas for camping and climbing.
Good for: Rock scrambling, photography, camping and climbing.
This dense concentration of teddy bear cholla provides one of the park's most distinctive desert plant displays.
Important: Stay on the established trail and avoid touching the cactus.
A historic water-storage dam and nearby loop trail provide an easy way to explore Joshua Tree's desert environment.
Good for: Short hiking, wildlife viewing and historic features.
Arch Rock is a natural granite arch near White Tank Campground and is one of the park's popular geological features.
Tip: The area is particularly photogenic around sunrise and sunset.
Cottonwood Spring is one of the park's historic water sources and an important transition zone toward the Colorado Desert.
Good for: Hiking, palms, desert scenery and exploring the park's southern region.
The park's namesake trees create some of its most memorable landscapes, particularly across the higher Mojave Desert.
Tip: Never climb or hang from Joshua trees and avoid damaging vegetation.
Joshua Tree has trails for casual walks as well as demanding desert hikes. Heat, sun exposure, rocky terrain and limited shade should be considered before every hike.
A relatively short loop through a dramatic granite-enclosed valley and one of the best introductory walks in the park.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
A short loop passing through rocky desert terrain and the historic Barker Dam area.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
A steep climb to a summit with broad views over Joshua Tree's mountains, valleys and rock formations.
Difficulty: Strenuous. Carry sufficient water and avoid extreme heat.
A longer route through historic mining country featuring a preserved gold-mine site and rugged desert scenery.
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous depending on route length.
A short walk leading to a natural granite arch surrounded by the boulder-filled White Tank area.
Good for: Families, photography and short hikes.
A short loop through a dense stand of cholla cactus in the Colorado Desert portion of the park.
Difficulty: Easy, but stay on the established trail.
A vehicle is the most practical way to explore Joshua Tree National Park. The park's major roads connect its principal attractions, but distances between destinations can be significant.
Check current road conditions before traveling to remote trailheads.
Distances inside the park can be substantial, and services are limited. There are no gas stations inside the park.
Fill your vehicle before entering and carry sufficient water and supplies for the length of your visit.
Tip: Download maps before entering areas where mobile service may be limited or unavailable.
Camping is one of the best ways to experience Joshua Tree's dark skies and quiet desert nights. Popular campgrounds can fill quickly during cooler months and holiday periods.
A popular campground surrounded by enormous granite formations and close to some of the park's best-known climbing areas.
A centrally located campground surrounded by dramatic rock formations and close to the Hidden Valley area.
A campground near the park's western edge with access to hiking trails and Joshua tree landscapes.
A popular campground surrounded by towering rock formations, especially attractive to climbers and campers.
A small campground among granite boulders near Arch Rock and other scenic formations.
A campground in the southern portion of the park, offering a convenient base for exploring the Colorado Desert.
Despite its harsh desert environment, Joshua Tree supports a surprising variety of reptiles, mammals, birds and other desert wildlife.
Bighorn sheep are adapted to rugged desert mountains and may be encountered in remote rocky areas.
Coyotes inhabit the park and are sometimes seen near roads or developed areas. Keep your distance and never feed wildlife.
Desert tortoises are protected native wildlife. Never touch, move or disturb a tortoise you encounter.
Ravens, roadrunners, hawks, lizards, snakes and many other species live in Joshua Tree's desert ecosystems.
Joshua Tree is one of Southern California's premier stargazing destinations. Clear desert air, low humidity and limited artificial light can produce spectacular views of the night sky.
Move away from unnecessary artificial lighting while remaining in a safe, legal location within the park.
A darker moon phase can make faint stars, the Milky Way and other celestial objects easier to see.
Desert temperatures can fall quickly after sunset. Bring warm layers even after a hot afternoon.
Joshua Tree is internationally famous for its granite climbing. The park contains thousands of climbing routes ranging from beginner problems to highly technical routes.
Areas such as Hidden Valley, Intersection Rock, Jumbo Rocks and Indian Cove are popular with climbers.
Desert climbing requires experience with route finding, heat, sun exposure, water management and changing weather.
Follow current climbing regulations, avoid damaging vegetation and respect closures protecting wildlife or cultural resources.
Joshua Tree provides accessibility features throughout many developed areas, although accessibility varies by trail, facility, terrain and seasonal conditions.
Many developed visitor facilities, restrooms and picnic areas include accessibility features.
Selected developed campgrounds offer accessible sites and facilities. Confirm current features before booking.
Selected paths and short trails provide accessible opportunities, particularly around developed areas.
Several developed overlooks and scenic areas provide accessible viewing opportunities.
Eligible U.S. residents with permanent disabilities can obtain an Access Pass for federal recreation sites.
Loose sand, uneven granite, desert heat and rugged terrain can affect accessibility beyond developed facilities.
Joshua Tree can be sampled in a single day, but spending two or more days allows you to explore the park at a more relaxed pace and experience the desert after dark.
Focus on Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, Skull Rock, Jumbo Rocks and Keys View. Start early during warmer months.
Add longer hiking, Cholla Cactus Garden, Cottonwood Spring and a sunset or stargazing session.
Ideal for combining hiking, climbing, photography, camping, stargazing and less-visited areas of the park.
Joshua Tree can be visited throughout the year, but temperatures vary dramatically by season. Fall, winter and spring are generally the most comfortable seasons for hiking and sightseeing.
Summer can bring extreme daytime heat. Visitors who travel during the hottest months should plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening and take heat safety seriously.
Cooler temperatures begin returning to the desert, making hiking and climbing increasingly comfortable.
Generally excellent for daytime exploration. Spring can also bring wildflowers during favorable conditions.
Very hot daytime conditions can limit hiking. Plan around sunrise, sunset and nighttime activities.
Water is limited in the park. Carry enough for your planned activities and more than you expect to need.
During hot weather, schedule strenuous hikes for early morning or later in the day.
There are no gas stations inside the park. Fuel up before entering.
Cell service can be limited. Save maps and important information before entering remote areas.
Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, and use clothing that provides protection from direct sunlight.
Joshua trees, cholla and other desert vegetation are fragile. Stay on established trails and do not damage plants.
Desert temperatures can fall quickly after sunset. Bring layers even following a hot day.
If conditions and your itinerary permit, experience the park after dark for spectacular desert night skies.
Joshua Tree's desert environment can be unforgiving. Heat, dehydration, remote terrain, sharp vegetation and changing weather all require careful preparation.
Extreme heat can cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Know the symptoms and avoid strenuous activity during dangerous conditions.
Carry adequate drinking water because reliable water sources are limited throughout the park.
Watch where you place your hands and feet and give snakes and other wildlife plenty of space.
Remote areas may have limited cell service. Carry a map and know your route before leaving developed areas.
Pets are restricted from many Joshua Tree trails and natural areas. Dogs must be managed according to current park regulations, and visitors should not assume that a pet-friendly campground means that all nearby trails permit pets.
Service animals have different access rights under applicable regulations. Visitors traveling with a service animal should review Joshua Tree's current accessibility and pet information before arrival.
Joshua Tree offers much more than scenic driving. Visitors can hike, rock climb, boulder, photograph desert landscapes, camp, birdwatch, explore historic sites and experience some of Southern California's best stargazing.
Trails range from short nature walks to demanding mountain hikes such as Ryan Mountain.
Joshua Tree is world-famous for its granite climbing and bouldering opportunities.
Dark desert skies make Joshua Tree an outstanding place to observe stars, planets and the Milky Way.
Joshua trees, boulders, cactus gardens, mountains and sunsets provide abundant photographic opportunities.
A Joshua Tree map is essential because the park covers a large desert landscape and many attractions are separated by significant driving distances.
A western itinerary can focus on Joshua tree forests, Hidden Valley, Keys View and Barker Dam. A central itinerary can combine Jumbo Rocks, Skull Rock and White Tank. The southern portion provides access to Cholla Cactus Garden and Cottonwood.
Plan your route before entering and account for the time needed to drive between attractions.
Check current conditions, entrance fees, weather, campground availability, road information and seasonal considerations before leaving. Carry plenty of water, plan your driving route and take desert heat seriously.