The west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park will be closed to inbound and outbound traffic beginning 6 a.m. August 25 through to 6 p.m. August 29. Visitors must enter or exit the park via Twentynine Palms or Cottonwood using the north entrance station in Twentynine Palms or the Cottonwood entrance at the park’s south boundary.
Located in Twentynine Palms, the north entrance station is the most accessible for visitors traveling on Highway 62. North entrance is 25 miles east of the west entrance station and adds an additional 17 minutes of driving time. Exiting vehicles may turn around at Quail Springs Picnic Area and entering vehicles may turn around at the current west entrance station; however, this is not advised due to an expected backup of traffic.
Park Boulevard will also be closed to vehicle traffic for six miles from the west entrance to Quail Springs Picnic Area. This closure includes the Maze Loop and Bigfoot trailhead parking areas. Visitors may not drive to or park at these trailheads during the closure. This closure is necessary for crews to lay new pavement in the construction area. All other park roads are expected to remain open.
“It has been exciting to see this project’s progress over the last six months,” said Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent Jane Rodgers. “Though the temporary closure of the entrance is an inconvenience to visitors and staff, it will allow construction crews to complete important work. Park staff look forward to welcoming visitors at the new entrance station in the next few months.”
Visitors can access construction updates on the park's website, and park rangers encourage visitors to recreate responsibly in their vehicles by observing posted speed limits and driving only on designated roads. Visitors can prepare for their visit by:
· Purchasing an entrance pass ahead of time at recreation.gov and being prepared to show their pass at the entrance station
· Downloading the NPS App for trip planning and park alerts
· Checking the park website for current conditions, restrictions, closures, and more
Park staff, partners, and residents gather for a ground-breaking ceremony to announce the construction of a new fee station at the West entrance in Joshua Tree National Park on Jan. 24, 2025. Photo by NPS / Marielle Scott
Planning Your Joshua Tree National Park Visit Through Twentynine Palms
Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center: Start your adventure at the park's new visitor center location in downtown Twentynine Palms, located at 6533 Freedom Way. This park visitor center is open daily from 8:30am - 5:00pm and offers the opportunity to interact with park staff who can help you plan your visit.
Shop the bookstore and giftshop and be sure to make time to explore the award-winning Universal Threads exhibit which shares the stories of the park's 15 traditionally associated Tribal communities and offers an interactive exploration of the interconnected relationships among plants, animals, earth, sky, and human life.
Top Hiking Trails & Points of Interest Near the North Entrance in Twentynine Palms
Exploring the park from the north entrance for the first time? These trails and points of interest are all easily accessible from Twentynine Palms:
Oasis of Mara Nature Trail: This flat, 0.5-mile loop behind the national park headquarters, is a quick and scenic walk through a historic desert oasis, and is the cornerstone of the Joshua Tree National Park story.
Indian Cove: A separate park entrance just west of downtown 29 Palms, known for its dramatic rock formations and popular climbing routes.
Contact Mine Trail: A quiet, 4-mile out-and-back hike with sweeping desert views and a glimpse of the park’s mining past.
Arch Rock Trail: This 1.4-mile loop is perfect for families and photographers, with iconic stops at Arch Rock and Heart Rock.
Split Rock Trail: A 2.5-mile loop through massive boulders and open desert, with picnic tables at the trailhead for a scenic lunch stop.
Split Rock Loop Trail ~ This trail begins in rocky terrain, crosses washes, ascends through boulder fields, and then winds through oak and pine woodland before concluding with washes and Joshua tree woodland. The trail is a two-mile (3.2-km) loop and total elevation gain is approximately 150 feet (46 m).
Exploring Twentynine Palms
Your visit to Joshua Tree National Park isn’t complete without exploring Twentynine Palms! Our desert city is home to a vibrant mix of restaurants, shops, and unique attractions that add flavor and character to your trip.
Twentynine Palms also offers the area’s largest and most diverse collection of accommodations — from national brand hotels to boutique inns, vacation rentals, and the area's largest RV resort. Whatever your travel style or budget, you’ll find the perfect place to stay, just minutes from the north entrance of Joshua Tree National Park.
And there’s always something new to discover. Check out what’s new this summer — from exciting new restaurants and shops to fresh arts and wellness experiences that showcase the creativity and energy of our desert community!