Joshua Tree National Park

Year Established: 1994
Annual Visitors: 3.06 Million
Size: 795,200 Acres
State: California

Best Time to Visit Joshua Tree National Park

March to April, October to November

If you are planning to visit more national parks, check out our complete list of all US National Parks.

Best Experiences in Joshua Tree National Park

• Sunrise at the Cholla Cactus Garden
• Keys View
• Hike Ryan Mountain

A Brief History

In southern California, Joshua Tree National Park is a large, protected area. It has rough rock formations and jarring desert landscapes that define it. The park is named for the twisted, bristly Joshua trees that grow there. It is in between the cactus-filled Colorado Desert and the higher, cooler Mojave Desert. The Coachella Valley can be seen from Keys View. Hidden Valley has trails that go through the rocks.

Joshua Tree RV Camping

If you are looking for nearby RV camping options for Joshua Tree National Park or in California, consider checking out our other post:

• Best RV Parks in California
  Best RV Resorts in California

Visitor Information

Fees

Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.

Weekly Park Passes

$15.00 per person

$30.00 per vehicle

$25.00 per motorcycle

All passes are valid for up to 7 days.

Annual Park Passes

Joshua Tree National Park Annual Pass – $55

Contacting Joshua Tree National Park

Visitor Centers

Joshua Tree Visitor Center

The Joshua Tree Visitor Center is where most people who want to see Joshua Tree National Park start. The visitor center is near the downtown area of the unincorporated community of Joshua Tree. It has exhibits and a park store for people who want to buy something to remember the beauty they just saw. This spot gets a lot of visitors because it is the main entrance to the park. Getting a park pass at the visitor center is a good idea from October to May, which are the busiest months. Lines do start to form at the ranger station, so this will help you get into the park faster.

Cottonwood Visitor Center

This is one of the national park stores that is farther away from the park entrance. It is the starting point for many hiking trails, including the Cottonwood Springs area, which is a distinct grove of cottonwood trees and palm trees. It is near the south entrance. At the visitor center, peoplyoue can buy park passes and learn about trail conditions, camping availability, and the best hikes.

Black Rock Nature Center

This nature center is next to Black Rock Campground. The park store has a lot of things for sale, including books that can help people plan their day at the park. At this spot, you can start many of the park trails, including the California Riding and Hiking Trail, which is a favorite among horseback riders. The campground is in the middle of one of the park’s denser Joshua Tree forests. People who went there in the past might remember it as the site of Jellystone Park Campground, which had a Yogi Bear theme.