Bighorn sheep, bizarre granite rocks and wondrous trees: there are many reasons to visit Joshua Tree National Park. Composed of over 2,000 square kilometers of wilderness, this desert might not seem like the most livable place on earth from the road. But a closer look reveals a fascinating variety of plants and animals that call this land, shaped by the elements, their home. Strong winds, unpredictable downpours and climatic extremes have left their mark here. The park is named after the Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia), which are part of the yucca family and are also called Joshua trees. The up to 900-year-old “Joshua trees” characterize the barren landscape today, in which almost 700 different plant species such as cacti, ocotillos, Palo Verdes,
According to topschoolsoflaw, Joshua Tree Park is also home to plenty of wildlife: herds of desert bighorn sheep roam the landscape and there is a surprising variety of birds, especially in spring and summer. One reason for this is the fact that the park is directly on the bird migration route known as the Pacific Flyway. One reason for the biodiversity is that the Californian desert landscape forms the transition between the Mojave and Colorado deserts and thus connects different ecosystems. The landscape also attracts people. Climbers, in particular, come here to demonstrate their skills on the bizarre granite monoliths. There are also exceptional hiking opportunities through rugged canyons. You should definitely make sure to bring enough water and high sun protection.
Pitch black night skies full of stars, surreal rock formations and an interesting cultural history await you in this whimsical world. The impressive granite formations were formed after the magma beneath the earth’s surface cooled and was uncovered by erosion millions of years later. The history of the formations in the park is explained in more detail in the visitor centres. Despite these facilities, tourism infrastructure is relatively underdeveloped and the lack of paved roads or well-developed hiking trails makes it difficult for visitors to explore the region. Along the parking bays you can z. For example, you can look out over the Coachella Valley and Salton Lake from the lookout at Key View and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this part of the desert
Location and Size Joshua Tree National Park is located in southern California, approximately 140 miles east of Los Angeles near Palm Springs. The national park has three entrances, the main entrance near the town of Twentynine Palms, the west entrance in Joshua Tree Village, and the south entrance in Cottonwood Springs. Elevations within the 3,196 km² park range from 305 meters in Pinto Basin to 1,772 meters on the peaks of Quail Mountain.
Getting there The west entrance is 8 km (5 miles) south of the intersection of Highway 62 and Park Boulevard in Joshua Tree Village.
The north entrance is in Twentynine Palms, 5 km (3 miles) south of the intersection of Highway 62 and the Utah Trail.
The south entrance at Cottonwood Spring, located 40 km (25 miles) east of Indio, can be accessed from the east or west via Interstate 10.
Opening times
The park is always open and can be visited at any time.
Visitor CentersJoshuaTreeVisitorCenter
Open year-round; 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Located one block south of Highway 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway).
6554 Park Boulevard, Joshua Tree, CA 92252.
OasisVisitorCenter
Open year-round; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Located at the Park Office: 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, at the intersection of Utah Trail and National Park Drive.
Cottonwood Visitor Center
Open year-round; Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00;
Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
13 km (8 miles) north of Interstate 10 in Cottonwood Spring.
BlackRockNatureCenter
Open from October to May from 08:00 to 16:00, except on Fridays it is open from 12:00 to 20:00.
Address: 9800 Black Rock Canyon Road, Yucca Valley, CA 92284 at Black Rock Campground.
Entrance Fees
$30 for all passengers in a single non-commercial vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, $15 for people entering the park on foot or by bike. All entries are valid for 7 days.
America the BeautifulAnnualPass
The annual pass costs $80 and entitles you to visit over 2,000 US federal recreation areas and national parks for one year from the date of purchase. The entrance fee applies to the driver and all passengers of a private, non-commercial vehicle (or up to a maximum of 4 adults in total if per-person entrance fees are charged). Children under 16 are free. If you visit more than 4 national parks, it is usually worth buying the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. The pass can be purchased at many stores across the US and is also available in advance from various tour operators.
Climate The days are generally clear with less than 25% humidity. The most comfortable temperatures are expected in spring and autumn with an average high of 29°C and lows of 10°C. Summers are hot with more than 38°C during the day and 24°C at night. Winter brings cooler days around 15°C and frost at night. It occasionally snows at higher elevations.
The best travel time is from October to April. Temperatures are more pleasant in winter, but it can freeze at night. In spring, carpets of flowers cover the deserts.
Average temperatures in JoshuaTreeNational Park in °C
Month
Jan
Feb
March
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Max
17
20
24
28
32
38
41
39
36
30
22
17
Min
0
3
6
10
13
18
21
21
17
11
5
0
Activities The three visitor centers provide information and exhibits about Joshua Tree National Park’s ecosystem, wildlife, geological formations, and the first people to inhabit the area.
Park recreational activities include hiking, camping, biking, rock climbing, ranch tours and ranger briefings. The park is particularly popular with climbers.
