Joshua Tree National Park

Figures on a landscape...

OVERVIEW 

Joshua Tree is a world famous area with thousands of routes, countless boulder problems and a very limited number of campsites. Long popular as a winter destination, it's appeal has only grown throughout the years as climbers of all abilities have discovered the mild temperatures, grippy rock and surreal landscape which make it a must visit area on any climber's list.

Today’s park visitor comes from throughout the globe, with some here to climb and others simply here to gaze at the wonder. Looky- loos can crowd some areas during the weekends, but that’s part of the park’s mission allowing everyone the opportunity to enjoy the park.

That said, sometimes Joshua Tree's popularity outgrows its carrying capacity, and is often the case, overnight camping can become very scarce, very fast. While the park service has made strides to expand the number of campsites, it has strengthened its rules about the number of campers per site, along with the number of vehicles per site. Current prices of overnight camping can be found here, along with other specific campground information. Camping and other overnight options are listed below.

The fee to enter Joshua Tree is currently $15 per vehicle, which is good for 7 days from the date on the receipt. When time permits, the rangers will check the out-going traffic for valid receipts. An annual pass is also available, and at $30, stands as an excellent value for those visiting the park more often. Both are purchased at the check stations at the entrances to the park. Cash and credit cards are accepted.

The rock itself is quartz monzonite and tends to be fairly solid, but the less traveled and/or newer routes can have the dreaded "ball bearings underfoot syndrome" making those friction moves a tad more dicey. The best rock sports a coating of "desert varnish" or patina which darkens and solidifies the rock considerably.

CAMPING 

There is no running water in the Park. Come prepared with a 5-gallon or more jug if planning on staying more than a day.

• NPS Campground Details - specific information about each campground

• Joshua Tree Climbers' Ranch - a.k.a. "The Pit"

• BLM land for the squeeze.

HOTELS, MOTELS, B&Bs, and VACATION HOMES 

Weekends are crowded during peak season! With its proximity to Los Angeles and San Diego, the Park draws more than 1 million visitors annually. Plan accordingly and have a backup plan if the campgrounds are full. There are numerous inexpensive motels in the nearby towns of Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, and 29 Palms.
Lodging Overview

• 29 Palms Inn

• Best Western

• Country Inn

• El Rancho Dolores Motel

• Harmony Motel

• High-Desert Motel

• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

• Homestead Inn Bed & Breakfast

• Joshua Desert Retreats - Vacation Rentals

• Joshua Tree Inn

• Joshua Tree Oasis

• Joshua Tree Vacation Homes

• Motel 6

• Oasis of Eden Inn

• The Desert Lilly aka Rosebud Ruby Star

• Roughley Manor Bed and Breakfast Inn

• Sunnyvale Garden Suites Hotel

• Yucca Inn & Suites

REST DAY ACTIVITIES 

• Keys Ranch Guided Walking Tour - 90 minute tour offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday from October through May

• The Integratron - "a one-of-a-kind building designed as a rejuvenation and time machine"

• Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

• Pioneertown Check out the old west!

• 29 Palms Murals - A collection of 20 murals scattered throughout this desert town.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

• Official NPS website - lots of good information about the Park

• Todd Gordon's climbing website - a wealth of information, history, and photos

• Friends of Joshua Tree - a local non-profit access group

• Joshua Tree NP Map - digital map of Joshua Tree with GPS coordinates

• Joshua Tree virtual tour - sit back and explore the Park from home

• Old-timer Bill Keys - The story of Bill Keys

• First Timers Guide to Joshua Tree - A fantastic resource with lots of helpful hints and advice for any Joshua Tree visitor

GEAR, SUPPLIES AND MEDICAL 

• Nomad Ventures is the local place to get climbing gear, guidebooks and information about the climbing in Joshua Tree. The folks are friendly and very knowledgeable.

• Nearest hospital is the High Desert Medical Center in the town of Joshua Tree.

GETTING HERE 

Other Interesting Stuff 

What makes the largest variety of Yucca special? See here

Some formations are in designated Wilderness Areas, while others are not? Which is where?

Sport climbs of Joshua Tree 

http://www.mountainproject.com/scripts/Search.php?searchType>>>>>

Current Weather 

This weeks forcasted weather from NOAA

Lost Horse Weather Station from Ca. Water - updated hourly

Joshua Tree Webcam from NPS - updated every 15 minutes

Featured Route For Joshua Tree National Park

Firewater Chimney 5.10b  CA : Joshua Tree National Park : ... : The Arrowhead

This remarkable route chimneys and stems between the inside of the Arrowhead flake and the main face. Varies from 2+ to maybe 5 feet wide. Great position and continuous climbing make this a classic. Rappel 90+ feet from bolts down the outside face of the flake. A little runnout between the bolts, but you are always in a secure position, even if moving up can be strenuous at times....[more]

Add Photo Photos of Joshua Tree National Park

Loner	Joshua Tree Sunset	Bird and Brodie launching the Space Pod. Photo: Er...
Desert Tortoise. Photo by Blitzo.	Welcome to Joshua Tree	Quite the sunset
"L"	Saddle Rocks at sunset. Photo by Blitzo.	I beg to differ.
Joshua Tree sunset. Photo by Blitzo.	Night Sky. Photo by Blitzo.	A typical Josh spring flower show...
Spring wildflowers near the southern entrance.	Bob Cat. Photo by Blitzo.	Hawks and moon. Photo by Blitzo.
Road Runner in a willow. Photo by Blitzo.	Horny Toad. Photo by Blitzo.	Tarantula. Photo by Blitzo.
Stinkbug. Photo by Blitzo.	Butterfly. Photo by Blitzo.	Joshua tree blossom. Photo by Blitzo.
Joshua Tree-snow. Photo by Blitzo.	Dune Primrose. Photo by Blitzo.	Desert Lily at sunset. Photo by Blitzo.
Datura blossom	Desert Willow. Photo by Blitzo.	49 Palms Oasis. Photo by Blitzo.
Beavertail in bloom. Photo by Blitzo.	Hedgehog flower. photo by Blitzo.	Joshua Tree Saloon. Photo by Blitzo.
One of a million Joshua Tree pebbles	Snow in Joshua Tree 01-12-07. Photo by Blitzo.	Love those desert town murals...
Giant Nolina. Photo by Blitzo.	An imitation Blitzo	J Tree in the fall
The little town of Joshua Tree at night. Photo by ...	BETA PHOTO: Days forthcoming...	Sunset in Jtree- stop the car and get out... you c...
Wacky clouds on a gorgeous afternoon.	Just another gorgeous afternoon in the Tree	sunset
A typical Jtree sunset	Joshua Tree	For some, their first view of the park. The full m...
Joshua Tree Sunset	Coyote Corner. Need a hula hoop? Photo by Blitzo.	This way to JTNP. Photo by Blitzo.
Need resoles? New website positiveresolesjt.com. P...	One of my bros...	Yucca/Rock/Moon
My version of a Josh sunset...	Boulders in 'The Tree'	Atop a small unknown formation
One of the many cool things about this park... Ma...	More cool history from the park. Would love to kno...	Too bad about the LA smog but the view was cool fl...
Labeled this one (see other shot), I think they ar...	Spring bloom at the cholla garden. April 08.	Furry creatures at the Cholla Garden, JTNP.
Hummingbird and Ocotillo flowers, JTNP.	Springtime 08 at the Cholla Garden.	Winter can bring snow and a different look to the ...
Sunrise across the desert floor.	Joshua Tree Sunrise	Historic graffiti captioned: "Huntin' Willie Boy 1...
A true fixture in the Park.	Patty Fienup and one very large Joshua Tree.	Juvenile Sidewinder Rattlesnake. Photographed at ...
Pack it out.	Spring bloom in the Ocotillo patch. April '08.	Amazing beauty near Cottonwood Springs, April '08.
Tarantula	BETA PHOTO: Cottonwood Springs	Cottonwood Springs
Dropping into the beautiful and vast Pinto Basin.	Pinto Mountain (elev. 3983) surrounded by the lowl...	Unusual sand dune formation in Pinto Basin
Leafing Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) in Pinto B...	Roadside Ocotillos	Cholla cactus (Opuntia genus)
The vast Pinto Basin	A Climber's Friend. Scrub Oak Jay on top of an old...	Anyone know what kind of cactus this is??
Mountain Project gets around.....	Joshua Tree National Park	Odd looking rock.
Another stunning January day of romping around in ...	Truly miles of piles of rox	Instead of Glinda, good witch of the North, it was...
Another scrub oak jay.	Trees, rocks, and sky...	It's an artsy kinda thing...
Just getting started...	Another gorgeous view from the Wonderland	Weekly rentals, great location, cheap!
Horny toad spotted by my wife on the Oasis hike.	On the hike out of the Wonderland of Rocks in earl...	If you stare long enough something happens....
The park's namesake tree.	Sunset brought to you by Joshua Tree	Another spectacular sunset in Joshua Tree, CA
The new sign at the Joshua Tree Laundromat. Photo ...	JT Sunset