Experience Joshua Tree National Park!

Here in the heart of our downtown business district, National Park Drive leads visitors south to the Park Headquarters and main Visitor Center of this magnificent National Park  where golden eagles soar above massive heaps of multicolored boulders and groves of Joshua Trees reach toward the blue vastness above with arms clothed in clusters of dagger shaped dark green leaves.

The 794,000 acre Joshua Tree National Park encompasses two large ecosystems primarily determined by elevation; the Colorado and the Mojave Deserts.  Here in the Mojave section, slightly higher, cooler and wetter, is the special habitat of the undisciplined Joshua Tree, which gave the park its name.  It is said that Mormon visitors to the area, seeing groves of immature two-armed  plants, likened them to the biblical Joshua reaching up to God.

The Park may be visited year round; each season demonstrates a different personality.  Visitor centers, ranger stations, entrance stations and  wayside exhibits are located along main roads leading into and through the Park.  Rangers are at hand to help ensure an enjoyable, safe visit and to provide information about weather and road conditions, back country use, the nine campgrounds with over 530 individual campsites and the nineteen group campsites.

There are ranger conducted activities such as walks, hikes and campfire talks, and several picnic areas for day use only. Those who prefer to motor through will drive along well maintained paved roads.

Visitors are cautioned to carry plenty of water and to be aware of canyons and washes where flash floods can occur after sudden rainstorms.  Most important--while boulder piles are attractive to children,  weathering can cause loosening of the rock particles.

Anyone wishing to ask about current programs or to obtain further information about the Park may write to:  Superintendent, J.T. National Park, 74485 National Park Drive, 29 Palms, CA 92277, or call (760) 367-7511, or visit the Joshua Tree National Park Official Web site!