All about Joshua Tree National Park

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you! Read the full disclosure policy here


Joshua Tree National Park is one of the desert national parks sites.  The park gets its named from the Yucca Breviolia Tree, also known as the Joshua Tree.  The National Park spans two different deserts – the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert.  The park is a popular weekend getaway for those living in Los Angeles and San Diego.

Help support this site by purchasing one of our National Park Shirts, Poster, and other gear. Every purchase includes a donation to the national parks and helps keep National Park Obsessed’s website free to use and producing more national park guides.

Looking for more help planning your next adventure? Join the National Park Obsessed Facebook Group here to connect other national park lovers, trade advice, or see inspiring photos of the National Parks?

Joshua Tree National Park Profile

RegionPacific-West Region
Park Size792,510 acres (1,238 sq miles) (3,207 sq km)
About the size the island of Makira in the Solomon Islands)
ElevationHighest point: 5,814 ft (1,773 m) at the summit of Quail Mountain
Lowest point: 1,780 feet (540 m) at the Colorado River Aqueduct
LocationRiverside County and San Bernardino County
Nearby Cities

Yucca Valley

Joshua Tree

Twentynine Palms

Founding DateJoshua Tree National Monument – August 10, 1936
Joshua Tree National Park – October 31, 1994
Visitors 2.8 million (in 2017) 
Busy SeasonOctober to May
Visitor CentersJoshua Tree Visitor Center – Open Year Around
Oasis Visitor Center – Open Year Around
Cottonwood Visitor Center – Open Year Around
Black Rock Nature Center – Open May-October
Park HoursOpen 365 days (24 hours a day)
Entrance Fees7-day Passenger Vehicle Pass – $30
7-day Motorcycle Pass – $25
7-day Individual Pass – $15
Annual PassJoshua Tree National Park Pass – $55
American the Beautiful Pass – $80
PetsYes but best left at home. If bringing, please review the Joshua Tree Pet Policy.

Joshua Tree National Park Climate 

Jan Feb MarAprMayJun
Average high in °F:606470778695
Average low in °F:373942425460
Av. precipitation in inch:0.790.830.590.120.310.04
Av. Snowfall in inch:000000
JulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high in °F:1009993826960
Average low in °F:696864524335
Av. precipitation in inch:0.240.550.350.390.630.28
Av. Snowfall in inch:000000

Yellowstone National Park Guide

Check out nearby National Park Service Sites (less than a 4-hour drive):

  • Channel Island National Park
  • Death Valley National Park
  • Mojave National Preserve
  • Cabrillo National Monument
  • Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
  • Lake Mead National Recreation Area
  • Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument

Check out nearby National Park Service Sites (less than an 8 hour drive):

  • Sequoia National Park
  • Kings Canyon National Park
  • Yosemite National Park
  • Zion National Park
  • Bryce Canyon National Park
  • Pinnacles National Park
  • Grand Canyon National Park
  • Petrified Forest National Park
  • Saguaro National Park
  • Great Basin National Park
  • Capitol Reef National Park
  • Manzanar National Historic Site
  • Fort Point National Historic Site
  • Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site
  • Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
  • Fort Bowie National Historic Site
  • Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
  • San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
  • Tumacacori National Historical Park
  • Rosie the Riveter / WWII Home Front National Historical Park
  • Presidio of San Francisco
  • César E. Chávez National Monument
  • Devils Postpile National Monument
  • Muir Woods National Monument
  • Wupatki National Monument
  • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
  • Walnut Canyon National Monument
  • Canyon de Chelly National Monument
  • Tuzigoot National Monument
  • Montezuma Castle National Monument
  • Tonto National Monument
  • Hohokam Pima National Monument
  • Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
  • Chiricahua National Monument
  • Coronado National Memorial
  • Pipe Spring National Monument
  • Cedar Breaks National Monument
  • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Joshua Tree National Park Gear

Hi, I'm Jennifer!

Welcome to the wonderful world of National Parks. I'm here to help you plan your NEXT amazing adventure through the United States National Parks and beyond. I want the national parks to be accessible to all.

I live in Tennessee, and when I'm home, you can find me hiking in the Smokies and the Cumberland Plateau.

58/63 National Parks

250+/423 National Park Units

Want to know more? Start Here.

Explore More
Snag one of my National Park Ebooks and Downloadable Itineraries
Talk with an Expert
Share your love of the parks with a shirt, ornaments, hoodies, frames, and more.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LAND

On this site, we promote travel to the United States and beyond that are the traditional lands of  Indigenous and First Nations peoples.

With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to these lands’ past and present people.

To learn more about the people who call these lands home, I invite you to explore Native Land.

DISCLAIMER

National Park Obsessed assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site (NationalParkObsessed.com). The information contained in this site is provided with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness. You are encouraged to conduct your own due diligence before acting on the information provided on this site and should not rely on the opinions expressed here.

There is an inherent risk in all outdoor recreation activities, the reader assumes all responsibility for their own personal safety.

DISCLOSURE

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Privacy Policy • About Us • Contact

Select stock photography provided depositphotos

Copyright ©2023 National Park Obsessed, LLC

Get a FREE 63 National Park Checklist

KICK START YOUR Planning

with the Ultimate National Park Planning Bundle.

This 162-page bundle includes a must see guide for each National Park along with a travel planner and the Beginners Guide to Planning a National Park Trip Planning eBook