Located just a few hours from Los Angeles, and a short drive from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is a popular destination for adventure-seekers and influencers alike.
This protected area is made up of rugged rocks, golden sand, cacti, and twisted Joshua Trees. The park is composed of both the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert, and is a stunningly beautiful, desolate place webbed with hiking trails that appear and disappear in the shifting sands.
Planning your visit
There are three entrances to the park (source):
West Entrance: located five miles south of the junction of Highway 62 and Park Boulevard at Joshua Tree Village.
North Entrance: in Twentynine Palms, three miles south of the junction of Highway 62 and Utah Trail.
South Entrance: near Cottonwood Spring, this is an access point along Interstate 10, 25 miles east of Indio.
Hours of operation:
The park is open 24 hours every day, year round.
Weather:
In the spring and fall, the average high is 29°C (85°F) and the average low is 10°C (50°F). Winter days are around 15°C (60°F), and are below freezing at night. Summers highs are over 38°C (100°F ) during the day, and 24°C (75°F ) at night.
Entrance fees:
It is $30 to enter in your vehicle — the pass is good for 7 days. (Learn more about the various park entrance fees here).
Safety tips:
Note that there is no cell service in the park, nor water. Make sure you bring all the food and water that you need for your hike or stay, and that someone knows where you are, as you will not be able to use your phone if you get in trouble.
What is a Joshua Tree?
In technical terms, the Joshua Tree, or Yucca brevifolia, is a member of the Agave family, and not a cactus. It is a type of succulent.
These twisted, prickly plants are commonly found in the Mojave Desert, in the Sonoran Desert in western Arizona, and in the San Bernardino Mountains.
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Lindsay Shapka is an avid traveler and the creator of The Anthrotorian — a website dedicated to sharing travel tips, stories about adventures, culture quirks, artists you should know, fascinating bits of history, and more!
She is also an artist, marketing specialist, editor, and freelance writer who has work featured on websites, blogs, and in magazines like National Geographic Traveler.
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