February 12, 2023 marks the seventh anniversary of Mojave Trails National Monument. Established by Presidential Proclamation in 2016, the Monument is managed by the Bureau of Land Management to protect its rare ecology, extraordinary geology and ineffable beauty. Mojave Trails spans 1.6 million acres and contains 350,000 acres of designated wilderness within the Mojave Desert.
While the expansive Monument is a place for solitude and reflection away from the noise of neighboring Los Angeles and Las Vegas, if you look closely you will see a dense community of life, from past and present.
Mojave Trails is named for the network of routes used by indigenous tribes for thousands of years and by early Spanish explorers in the 1830s. It also boasts the longest remaining stretch of Route 66 where Americans between 1926-1985 traveled in search of a better life. Five of the twelve Desert Training Center camps, or Patton camps, also reside within the Monument’s borders. Over one million soldiers prepared for the North African conflict during WWII in the harsh desert conditions.
Many relics from these locations and events remain. Please do your part in not moving or tampering with items of cultural and historical significance such as rocks, petroglyphs or anything resembling military equipment.
Rare species of animals and plants call the Mojave Desert home. Desert fauna includes birds like the Yellow-billed Cuckoo and the Burrowing owl, reptiles like the Chuckwalla lizard and even fish; the Bonytail chub resides in sparse desert riparian habitat. The Monument contains the northernmost assemblage of smoke trees within the California desert and the densest concentration of Bigelow Cholla cactus in the state. Ongoing research within Mojave Trails continues to reveal plant species not yet discovered by science.
Celebrate the anniversary of Mojave Trails by exploring the many recreation opportunities this national treasure has to offer. Drive on designated OHV routes, hike trails less traveled and visit historical sites. Please honor these fragile desert communities by recreating responsibly!
The City of 29 Palms is proud to be a official gateway community to Mojave Trails National Monument and Route 66, and hope you’ll make time this winter and spring season to get out there and explore this beautiful part of California’s Mojave Desert region! From Amboy Crater to the Cadiz Dunes Wilderness, and the Desert Training Center, incredible adventures await.
Learn more about visiting Mojave Trails National Monument and start planning your next trip to 29 Palms!
Take a long weekend getaway to Twentynine Palms! The fall season is the perfect time to explore and discover the wonders of the Mojave Desert. With the weather cooling off and the city coming to life with events, there has never been a better time to visit and enjoy all Twentynine Palms has to offer.
Take a walk in nature and explore Joshua Tree National Park. With over 2.4 million visitors in 2020, Joshua Tree National Park was named the 10th Most Visited National Park in the U.S. by the National Park Service. Encompassing nearly 800,000 acres of protected land, visitors can explore both the Mojave and Colorado Deserts while taking part in several activities. From hiking to rock climbing to just enjoying the beautiful desert scenery, this is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With the long weekend, it will be busy in the National Park, so here are a few tips and tricks to make sure you are ready for your trip:
Use the Twentynine Palms entrance. Wait times at the West Entrance in Joshua Tree can reach upwards of 1 hour. If you are traveling eastbound on the highway, keep driving 15 more minutes and enter the park through the North entrance in Twentynine Palms. Not only is the wait time much shorter at the North entrance, but you can also visit the Oasis Visitor Center on National Park Drive before heading up to the park.
Purchase your pass online. It is now easier than ever to buy your park pass. Not only can you purchase your entrance pass online, but you can also reserve your camping site. Go online to recreation.gov and get your pass in advance.
Download the NPS app. With no cell service in the park, it can be difficult to navigate where you’re going with your phone. Luckily, the NPS app allows you to download park info to make sure you can find your way around the park while offline. With interactive maps, tours of park places, and more, download the NPS app and make the most of your visit.
Plan Like a Park Ranger. The staff at JTNP have put together an incredible article to help you travel like an expert when you visit the park. To help you plan your trip even more, here are the Top 10 Tips for Visiting Joshua Tree National Park.
This long weekend is the perfect time to dive into the rich arts, culture, and history that make Twentynine Palms the cultural oasis it is today. The Joshua Tree Music Festival kicks off the weekend beginning Thursday, October 7th with their first festival since October 2019. With the pandemic having shut down their festivals for two years, JTMF is ready to get the community back to the “Heart of the Matter” with artists from all over the world performing for one weekend only.
October 9th and 10th mark the first weekend for the Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours. Now in its 20th year, the Art Tours take place all over the Morongo Basin. This self-guided tour will take visitors on a journey to each of the artists’ studios to see where the magic happens. With 18 artists in Twentynine Palms opening their doors, tour-goers will get a glimpse into the worlds of renowned artists such as Perry Hoffman, Anna Stump, Elisabeth Pollnow, Anne Lear, and many more.
For all the history buffs out there, the Old Schoolhouse Museum is the place to be. With a mission to collect, preserve, and display information, artifacts, and memorabilia, the Twentynine Palms Historical Society has been educating visitors for almost 30 years. This weekend, join artist Barbara Gothard as she discusses her Art+Humanities project, “Contradictions – Bringing the Past Forward,” as the 2nd Friday Lecture Series continues on Friday, October 8th.
If you are curious about the nature of the area, the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park will be hosting a special class this weekend as part of their Fall Field Class schedule. Learn all about the Insects and Arthropods of the Morongo Basin with Kurt Leuschner as he explores the lives of the largest group of animals in the world. Participants will learn to identify and distinguish insects from other arthropods and then practice their skills in the field. Field observations will include desert, dune, and riparian habitats, as well as a special night session with black lights at the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve.
Fuel up for the weekend ahead with some great eats at one of our local, family-owned restaurants! For breakfast, Campbell Hill Bakery is every pastry lover’s dream for the best croissants, coffee cake, and scones in town. Take your taste buds on an adventure at Cactus Trails Café and try their Cactus Omelette with their Prickly Pear Lemonade. For a big, hearty breakfast, head on over to John’s Place and order John’s Farm Breakfast Special loaded with eggs, ham, sausage, bacon, hash browns, and biscuits and gravy.
When you’re ready for lunch, head on over to FANS Sports Bar and Grill for some great all-American burgers, wings, hot dogs, and more. Mexican Street Tacos is home to the famous David Tran Plate and their always delicious street tacos. If you like spicy food, check out Thai Café and all of their delicious curries including their Roasted Duck and Siam Gulf curries.
Spend your evening dining at one of our great eating establishments. Have some good old-fashioned barbecue with Rib Co.‘s grilled jalapenos and Triple Threat ribs. Stop by Edchadas and get your hands on their Amigo Burrito and pair it with one of their famous margaritas. Twentynine Palms’ newest gastropub GRND SQRL has great new food for visitors and locals to enjoy like their Shanghai Wings, SQRL Burger, and, our personal favorite, the Jalla Sandwich. End your evening with the last cold beer on Highway 62 at the newest neighborhood bar on the corner of National Park Drive and the Highway, Out There Bar.
Spend the weekend shopping around town and shop small at our local retail stores! If you’re downtown, stop by White Label Vinyl, Hi-Desert Daydream, Donahlue Clothing Co., The Lobby by Desert Beacon, and more along the highway. When you’re out and about on Adobe Road, stop in and check out Copy Center Plus, and further down in the Historic Plaza you’ll find Perfectly Unique. These are only a handful of the many locally-owned stores you can find in Twentynine Palms, so be sure to stop in and say hi to us at the 29 Palms Visitor Center to find out what other gems we have hiding in our city.
This long weekend will make for the perfect opportunity to get out into nature in the late evening to enjoy a spectacular display of astronomical events. The Draconid meteor shower will peak on October 8th. Unlike most meteor showers, the Draconids are short-lived. You will want to look towards the constellation Draco the Dragon to watch the shower. Luckily, the thin waxing crescent moon will make for good visibility this year.
Get out the telescope because stargazers will have a great view of the Andromeda Galaxy and the Great Square of Pegasus throughout the fall season. Being the closest large spiral galaxy to our Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy is the most distant thing we can see with the unaided eye. This weekend, you will be able to view the galaxy in the eastern sky at nightfall before it makes its trek to the western sky by dawn. Part of the constellation Pegasus, the Great Square of Pegasus can also be seen ascending into the eastern sky in the early evenings this season. Made of four stars of nearly equal brightness, the Great Square is a landmark of the Northern Hemisphere’s autumn sky.
Plan your night under the stars with our guide to stargazing in Twentynine Palms.
We hope to see you in Twentynine Palms enjoying all our city has to offer! From exploring Joshua Tree National Park to gazing up at the desert night sky, there is something for everyone to enjoy this holiday weekend. Be sure to stop by the 29 Palms Visitor Center for any information you may need during your visit.
Enjoy blue skies, dark nights, and an otherworldly landscape in Joshua Tree National Park
Start your Joshua Tree National Park adventure at the park’s Oasis Visitor Center in 29 Palms and explore one of the many fascinating aspects of this otherworldly national park with a free, half-hour Ranger Talk, held every morning at 10:00 AM. Following the Ranger Talk head out for an easy stroll along the Oasis of Mara Nature Trail where you will discover how this natural desert oasis is the cornerstone of the Joshua Tree National Park story, and how in the presence of water, life has thrived in and around the oasis for more than 9,000-years.
If popular trails like Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, or Ryan Mountain are on your to-do list, we recommend planning your visit on a weekday, between Monday and Thursday, when you’ll find more space to yourself on the trails. We also recommend getting an early start to your day and entering through the north park entrance in 29 Palms where you can avoid the congestion and potentially long wait times at the west entrance in the town of Joshua Tree.
After an adventurous day outdoors, you’ll surely have worked up a big appetite! Check out 29 Palms diverse collection of restaurants – and enjoy a great meal after a great day outdoors. Once you’ve relaxed and refueled, we invite you to sit back and watch our dark night sky come to life!
The California desert is known for it’s stunningly dark night skies, and our community was thrilled to see Joshua Tree National Park receive International Dark Sky Park designation by the International Dark Sky Association in 2017. Be sure to spend at least one late night marveling at the stars and Milky Way while you’re visiting 29 Palms, whether it’s in the National Park, at a free, public star party at Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center, or with a private stargazing experience with the 29 Palms Astronomy Club who will bring the star party to you!
Discover an Oasis of Murals, a thriving arts community, and a small city with a rich history!
Discover the rich history of our vibrant desert community by exploring our Oasis of Murals. The series of outdoor murals are located throughout the downtown area and illustrate the colorful history of 29 Palms, from the history of the Serrano and Chemehuevi Native America tribes, to the founding pioneers and homesteaders, to the establishment of the 29 Palms Marine Base, to a celebration of the unique flora and fauna of the beautiful Mojave Desert. Download our Oasis of Murals brochure and plan a self-guided tour!
The Mojave Desert has long since been a place of inspiration for artists and musicians, so whether you’re feeling inspired to drop in to the 29 Palms Creative Center and Gallery to paint or learn the pottery wheel, or view the latest exhibit at the 29 Palms Art Gallery, you will be impressed by the rich arts and culture of our desert community.
Continue your exploration of our city’s rich history and culture with a docent led tour of the Old Schoolhouse Museum, owned and operated by the Twentynine Palms Historical Society. Every city has its own story and history just waiting to be discovered, and there’s no better place to immerse yourself in 29 Palms history than at the Old Schoolhouse Museum.
Explore the unimaginable diversity of Mojave Trails National Monument and take a cruise along the iconic Route 66!
Spanning 1.6 million acres, the newly designed Mojave Trails National Monument is an incredible part of the California desert, and is home to beautifully rugged mountain ranges, pristine sand dunes, ancient lava flows, historic Native American trading routes and incredible WWII history, plus the longest undeveloped stretches of the iconic Route 66. Exploring Mojave Trails National Monument will require more research and planning than its neighboring Joshua Tree National Park or Mojave National Preserve so be sure to stop by the 29 Palms Visitor Center to pick up maps and travel information to help plan your day trip.
Grab lunch to-go from one of our restaurants and then head northeast on Amboy Road and make the nearby Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark your first stop in Mojave Trails.
Shop, dine, and play in downtown 29 Palms
A great way to spend the morning is to get out and explore some of the unique shops in downtown 29 Palms. You’ll discover a beautiful collection of home décor and furnishings at Habitat, a colorful collection of locally made art, gifts, and crystals at Mojave Sol, and eclectic collectibles and antiques at the Carousel of Treasures.
After a fun morning spent exploring the shops in 29 Palms, enjoy a leisurely lunch while you contemplate the many interesting ways to spend your afternoon. 29 Palms is home to some unique attractions including the high desert’s only axe throwing venue. Spend an hour or two at The Boardroom and let your competitive side shine while playing one of the many fun axe throwing games.
If quirky road side attractions peak your interest, take a short drive east on Highway 62 and visit Glass Outhouse Art Gallery. You’ll not only discover a great indoor gallery space with contemporary art exhibits, but also a fun collection of playful outdoor art displays, including one of our favorites, “Schwinn Ranch.”
Dinner and a show is great way to spend your evening in 29 Palms, and we offer some a unique take on this popular date night theme. Remember drive-in movie theaters? We’ve still got one! Smith’s Ranch Drive-In Movie Theater is one of only 18 remaining drive-in movie theaters in California, and offers double features on the big screen Thursday through Sunday, with new films every week. Another great option for the “show” part of your evening is to see a play or musical at Theatre 29, a non-profit community theatre that has been entertaining the Morongo Basin and Coachella Valley area since it opened in 1999!
And lastly, if you’re in town on Saturday, be sure to stop by the 29 Palms Farmer’s Market where you can shop fresh, locally grown produce and a wide variety of artisan goods!
Places to Stay in 29 Palms:
29 Palms Inn
29 Palms RV Resort
9 Palms Inn
America’s Best Value
Campbell House
El Rancho Dolores
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
Harmony Motel
Holiday Inn Express
Motel 6
Oasis Inn & Suites
Sunnyvale Garden Suites
SureStay Plus by Best Western
+ Choose from a wide variety of short-term vacation rentals!
It’s the best time of the year to hike!
From scenic natural trails and loops, to longer more challenging hikes, Joshua Tree National Park offers some of southern California’s most beautiful hiking trails.The fall is the best time of year to take on these more challenging hikes such as 49 Palms Oasis, a moderate 3-mile round trip trail that takes you down into one of the five fan palm oases found in the park.
Bordering Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave National Preserve, the newly designated Mojave Trails National Monument offers endless adventure for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Start your adventure at Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark where a moderate 3-mile round trip hike up and into the volcanic cinder cone will reward you with stunning views of the surrounding Mojave desert, and as a bonus, you’ll get to drive a stretch of the iconic Route 66 getting there!
From Amboy Crater, continue north on Amboy Road to Kelbaker Road in the Mojave National Preserve where you can hike the stunning Kelso Sand Dunes. Rising almost 700-feet high, the 2.7-mile round trip hike to the top of the sand dunes will certainly be a good workout and might just be one of the most beautiful places in the California desert to watch the sunset!
There’s a great lineup of festivals & events!
Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours October 5-6, 12-12, 19-20
Now in its 18th year, and having just extended to three weekends, the annual Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours is California’s second largest open studio art tours event! With more than 120 studio locations and more than 200 participating artists this year,
Joshua Tree Music Festival October 10-13
In addition to an always incredible lineup of musicians, the Joshua Tree Music Festival offers variety of multidisciplinary workshops, such as yoga and movement, visual arts, music, and myth, and with a robust schedule of Kidsville activities, this is one of the top family-friendly festivals in the country!
Climb Smart October 18-20
Hosted by Friends of Joshua Tree, this annual festival brings together the largest gathering of rock climbers in Joshua Tree to kick off the climbing season! This three-day event offers fantastic clinics and workshops with some of the best certified and accredited guide organizations, giving experienced climbers a great chance to refine their skills, and first-time climbers the chance to get into the sport.
We have lots of fun and quirky attractions to discover!
Beyond spending your time outdoors exploring the national park, or weekend attending festivals and events, fall is great time of year to explore the unique and quirky attractions in the City of 29 Palms!
How about a movie at Smith’s Ranch Drive-In, one California’s last remaining drive-in movie theaters?
Love live theater? How about a play at Theatre 29? This award-winning, premiere venue for year-round live community theatre offers a fantastic lineup of plays and comedies.
Ever thrown an axe? Trust us, once do it once you’ll be hooked! Discover your competitive side at The Boardroom, the high deserts first and only axe throwing venue.
