Did you know there are over 400 national parks across the country? Each year, the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service invite everyone to celebrate these incredible wonders during National Park Week. This year’s theme is sPark Connections. Spend National Park Week in 29 Palms, CA, when you visit Joshua Tree National Park.
The celebration begins Saturday, April 16, with sPark Discovery. National Park Week kicks off with a fee-free day to encourage everyone to find something new by visiting a national park. It can be one that may be close to home, a park you haven’t considered visiting, or one you never realized is a national park! Beat the long wait time to venture into Joshua Tree National Park when using the North Entrance. Located just a few minutes from the Oasis Visitor Center in 29 Palms, the North Entrance to the park is the best place to begin your Joshua Tree National Park adventure. What’s something new about Joshua Tree National Park you may discover?
Sunday, April 17, challenges us to sPark Creativity. National parks have inspired artistic expression and creativity for generations—artists worldwide flock to Joshua Tree National Park to capture its beauty. The annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition is just one of the ways we see how the park sparks creativity in artists. The Art Expo takes place every November and features artwork depicting or inspired by Joshua Tree National Park created by more than 50 artists from California and across the United States. What masterpiece can you make?
(NPS photo by Carmen Aurrecoechea)
sPark Collaboration on Monday, April 18, and get involved! We get along with a bit of help from our friends. Public support is a critical component in the management of National Park Service lands. No other federal agency relies as heavily on the stewardship and generosity of its visitors. Several local and national organizations partner with Joshua Tree National Park every year, including Joshua Tree National Park Association, Mojave Desert Land Trust, Friends of Joshua Tree, 29 Palms Art Gallery, and more. Find out how you can get involved with Joshua Tree National Park here.
The National Park Service incorporates the latest technology to support conservation and preservation efforts while consistently working to improve the visitor experience. On Tuesday, April 19, speak with a local park ranger about how they sPark Innovation in Joshua Tree National Park. One of our favorite ways the National Park Service incorporates technology is by being able to purchase your park pass online! Recreation.gov is the perfect way to get your park pass before heading into Joshua Tree National Park. Get yours today here!
On Wednesday, April 20, it’s Workforce Wednesday! Learn about the National Park Foundation’s work and the employment opportunities available in the National Park Service as they sPark Opportunities. About 100 full-time equivalent positions make up the park staff in fields including administration, education and interpretation, law enforcement, maintenance, resource management and science, and visitor services. Every role is vital for the park to fulfill its mission of preserving natural and cultural resources for future generations. Learn more about employment opportunities with Joshua Tree National Park here.
Continuing the celebration, Thursday, April 21, is all about how you can sPark Preservation. The National Park Service is a leader and partner in preserving historical, cultural, natural, and recreational resources nationally—and even internationally! Be sure to visit the Oasis Visitor Center in 29 Palms to learn more about Joshua Tree National Park’s work in preserving the land and history of one of the country’s most ventured national parks.
(NPS photo by Kelsey Graczyk)
Earth Day is Friday, April 22, so it is time to sPark Action! Taking place annually on April 22, Earth Day is the day to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EarthDay.org, including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. Today is the day for all of us to look at the health of the environment and how we impact its wellbeing and vice versa. Take some time to get outside, enjoy nature, and reflect on how you can better the environment for generations to come.
The National Park Service preserves and protects unique places with fascinating stories and amazing landscapes. Is there any place in Joshua Tree National Park you have always been curious about? Why is it called Hidden Valley? How does the rock stay on Cap Rock? Why can you only find Joshua trees in the Mojave Desert? On Saturday, April 23, sPark Curiosity, speak with a park ranger at the Oasis Visitor Center and find out all there is to know about Joshua Tree National Park.
Rounding out the festivities on Sunday, April 24, sPark Memories and enjoy all Joshua Tree National Park offers. Generations of visitors have created lasting memories in national parks. Today, spend time with family, friends, and loved ones, making memories and more in Joshua Tree National Park. Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden and enjoy basking in the desert sunrise. Trek to the top of Ryan Mountain and take in the gorgeous Mojave Desert views. Drive up to Keys View and look out over the Coachella Valley in the evening. Spend a night under the stars away from the hustle and bustle of life.
There is so much to see and do when visiting Joshua Tree National Park. Mark your calendars for April 16-24, 2022, and make Joshua Tree National Park your destination to sPark Connections this National Park Week.
Tags: Joshua Tree National Park, Leave No Trace, National Park Week, Outdoor Recreation, Recreate Responsibly, sPark Connections
