Joshua Tree
DESERT · CA

Joshua Tree

National Park
RANKED #30 OF 64 · COMPOSITE RANKING

The Details

Two desert ecosystems meet where the Mojave and Sonoran collide — named for the otherworldly trees that define the landscape.

STATE
CA
ESTABLISHED
1994
AREA
795k acres
ECOSYSTEM
Desert

When To Visit

Best Time To Visit

MONTH BY MONTH
BEST TIME TO GO

October–April: spring wildflowers (March–April) and clear winter air make for great climbing and stargazing.

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WEATHER
CROWDS
Weather: greatokaytough — heat, cold, snow, monsoon or closures
Crowds: quietmoderatebusy
CROWDS

Spring weekends and holidays are packed, with entrance lines and full campgrounds — go on weekdays.

WEATHER

Summer highs often top 100°F, monsoon storms hit July–September, and winter nights can freeze with snow at higher elevations.

General patterns — conditions vary by year. Check current NPS alerts and road status before you go.

How Far

Park Entrances

SET YOUR LOCATION
Every entrance is a different drive. Enter your ZIP to compare:
West Entrance
DIRECTIONS →
North Entrance (Oasis of Mara)
DIRECTIONS →
South Entrance (Cottonwood)
DIRECTIONS →

Nearest Airports

ESTIMATED DRIVE TO THE PARK
PSP
Palm Springs IntlNEAREST
≈ 27 mi · ~35 min drive to West Entrance
DIRECTIONS →
ONT
Ontario Intl
≈ 93 mi · ~1.9 hr drive to West Entrance
DIRECTIONS →
LAX
Los Angeles Intl
≈ 151 mi · ~3 hr drive to West Entrance
DIRECTIONS →

Distances are rough estimates to the closest entrance. Check road and ferry conditions before you go.

What To Do

Top Things To Do

◆Hike Hidden Valley
◆Scramble around Skull Rock
◆Watch sunset from Keys View
◆Walk the Cholla Cactus Garden
◆Stargaze — an International Dark Sky Park

Where To Stay

Camping

Campgrounds inside the park are booked through Recreation.gov, and many fill months ahead.

FIND CAMPSITES ON RECREATION.GOV ↗

Lodging & Nearby Towns

GATEWAY TOWNS
Joshua TreeTwentynine PalmsYucca Valley

There’s no lodging inside this park, so most visitors stay in the nearby towns above.

Cool Facts & Figures

By The Numbers

#15
LARGEST OF 64
#53
OLDEST OF 64
795,156
ACRES
32
YEARS PROTECTED
◆Joshua trees aren’t trees at all — they’re a type of yucca.
◆The park is where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet.

Links

Plan Your Visit

OFFICIAL & TRUSTED SITES
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