Joshua Tree National Park
National Park · Twentynine Palms, California
Joshua Tree National Park sits in southeastern California, about two hours east of Los Angeles, where the higher Mojave Desert meets the lower Colorado Desert. The western half is known for Joshua trees, huge piles of rounded granite boulders and a quiet, open landscape; the southern half drops into a hotter, sparser desert with ocotillo and a cholla garden. It suits climbers, photographers, stargazers and hikers who want short walks rather than long wilderness. Plan a day or two. The park has almost no water for visitors and few services inside, so bring all the water you need and fuel up in a gateway town such as Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree or Yucca Valley. Spring and holiday weekends are busy and campgrounds fill, while summer heat can be dangerous. It is not a place for casual walkers in July: rattlesnakes, flash floods in washes and sparse cell service are real. It rewards early starts, sunset at Keys View and a clear moonless night. Confirm entry fees, camping reservations and any timed entry before you go.
74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, California, 92277, United States
The park is open all day and all year, with no closing time on the roads, but the visitor centres and ranger stations keep limited hours that change by season and staffing. Entrance stations may not always be staffed, and fees can usually be paid at a kiosk or online. Some roads, trailheads and campgrounds close in storms, floods, high wind or fire, and sections may be closed for maintenance. Check the National Park Service page and conditions for your dates before you leave, because cell service inside the park is poor. If you plan a sunrise or night visit, bring a headlamp and know that you will be driving unlit desert roads.
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