Joshua Tree National Park  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  4,200' Lat, Long:  34.0122, -116.168 Map Page Views:  4,808,770. Good page? (67 likes)    Administrators:  C Miller, Adam Stackhouse, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden Submitted By:  M.Morley on Jan 1, 2001 Make this area a Favorite What's New Guidebooks (5)  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Below Loose Lady (10a).

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 around 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. 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 appreciably.

Kudos to this page's founding father M.Morley. In June 2002 the website "climbingjtree" went online.

Open Winfrey (5.10+) Submitted By: toddgordon on Apr 8, 2010

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.

• Joshua Tree Lake Campground

The rarely deserted Indian Cove Campground. Submitted By: Bruce Willey on Feb 19, 2010

Sunset from site #2 Hidden Valley Campground Submitted By: Brad Warne on Oct 14, 2008

Overflow camping, Joshua Tree NP Submitted By: C Miller on Oct 20, 2011

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

• Joshua Desert Retreats - Vacation Rentals

• Joshua Tree Inn

• Joshua Tree Oasis

• Joshua Tree Vacation Homes

• Motel 6

• Oasis of Eden Inn

• The Desert Lilly

• Roughley Manor Bed and Breakfast Inn

• Sunnyvale Garden Suites Hotel

• Sacredsands

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 

• Just down the road in Yucca Valley, one can find most any service and supply necessary; from major grocery stores and ubiquitous fast food joints, to auto lube and tunes.

• 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.

• Guide books for the area range from the no frills Bartlett guides to the fairly exhaustive Vogel guides as well as a couple of bouldering specific guides. All have something that the other doesn't.

• Nearest hospital is the High Desert Medical Center in the town of Joshua Tree. Cell phone coverage in the park IS SPOTTY AT BEST to NONEXISTENT AT WORST. There is an emergency phone in near the restrooms in Hidden Valley Campground/Intersection Rock. Use only in an emergency.

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 

www.mountainproject.com/scripts/Search.php?searchType=routeF>>>

Me on the FA (?), mid crux. Jimi Thornburg photo. Submitted By: Russ Walling on Feb 19, 2008

Erik on "Is that a Munchkin in your Pocket". Photo by Blitzo. Submitted By: Blitzo on Nov 19, 2010

Bob Gaines leading Out of Order on the first ascent. Photo by Bruce Boe. Submitted By: Bob Gaines on Mar 17, 2010

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

Lost Horse Weather Station from NOAA

The Classics

Featured Route For Joshua Tree National Park

Heart of Darkness 5.10d  CA : Joshua Tree National Park : ... : Conrad Rock

A striking splitter on perfect, varnished rock that runs from fingers through small hands (this route favors those with smaller hands). The unique location and high quality rock make this a three (out of five) star route; were it longer this would garner more stars. ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Joshua Tree National Park Slideshow

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Joshua Tree Sunset	Figures on a landscape...	Loner
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 Cottonwood, Joshua Tree NP	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.	Nolina bloom taken at the base of Popular Mechanic...	Datura blossom
Desert Willow. Photo by Blitzo.	49 Palms Oasis. Photo by Blitzo.	Beavertail in bloom. Photo by Blitzo.
Hedgehog flower. photo by Blitzo.	One of a million Joshua Tree pebbles	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 Sunset	One of my bros... Barker Dam area
Yucca/Rock/Moon	My version of a Josh sunset...	Captured aura 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, Joshua Tree ...
Hummingbird and Ocotillo, Joshua Tree NP	Springtime 08 at the Cholla Garden.	Winter can bring snow and a different look to the ...
Joshua Tree Sunrise	A true fixture in the Park.	Patty Fienup and one very large Joshua Tree.
Juvenile Sidewinder Rattlesnake. Photographed at ...	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.....	Odd looking rock.	Another stunning January day of romping around in ...
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...	Weekly rentals, great location, cheap!
Horny toad spotted by my wife on the Oasis hike.	If you stare long enough something happens....	Sunset brought to you by Joshua Tree
Another spectacular sunset in Joshua Tree, CA	JT Sunset	If I remember right this is Lost Palm Oasis near C...
Pretty yucca	Joshua Tree sunset	Afghan hound or indian headdress?
Kangaroo Rat stuck in a beer bottle. You'll see th...	Classic Desert Sunset in Joshua Tree	My 1000th photo submission!
One Joshua Tree helping out another...	Joshua Tree Shadow at Sunset	This is my favorite reason to be in Jtree.
Only a shadow of himself...	The Three Musketeers	The Fish
Ryan Ranch ruins	Wildlife	Hall of Horrors Area and Saddle Rocks Area
Old film shot from the Wonderland, when extra satu...	A joshua tree that died and went to heaven long ag...	Joshua Tree NP
A hopping roadrunner. Photo by Blitzo.	A golden afternoon in Josh	Rainbows are nice! Photo by Blitzo.
Climbers on Loose Lady	Key's View; Mt. San Jacinto (L) and San ...	Climbers on SW
Climbers on Figures	Mrs. C Schaumann enjoying Peet's in the morning su...	The rarely deserted Indian Cove Campground.
The venerable Joshua Tree.	Kris Solem on Headstone.	Headstone Rock
Bruce Willey on Out on a Limb (5.10b) Photo by Kri...	San Gorgonio from Queen Valley. Photo by Blitzo.	San Jacinto as seen from Queen Valley. Photo by Bl...
Bachar collection....	In the Jumbo Rocks Area. 3-7-10	In the Jumbo Rocks Campground. 3-7-10
Given all that it had...	Balanced boulder...	Focus now...
Snow Bluejay	Santa Claus?	Cap Rock
GP memorial area	Desert Blooms	Desert Blooms
BETA PHOTO: Look up to Grit Roof	A view to the east...	We've been approved to open and In-n-Out in the Hi...
An ugly plant yields a stunning bloom in April.	The Cholla Garden looked really nice with all the ...	Statue in The Yucca Valley Rose Garden. Photo by B...
There's a guy up there, hanging from the rock!	Hidden Valley Campground	Left Ski Track, 5.11- Intersection Rock
All the pretty colors of the native grasses and sh...	Teddy Bear Cholla, Joshua Tree National Park	Screen shot of old "climbingjtree.com" home page a...
whitetank campground jt ca	desert tortous jt ca	ocotillo patch jt ca
Ryan Campground	Yucca and stars.	Jtree
Dusk in Indian Cove Campground	Key's View	There's a new Pizza joint in town. Photo by Blitzo...
Yum	No sunsets like J-Tree...	This sunset only got better.
And the culmination.	A view of San Gorgonio.	Wonderful sunset leaving the park
action figure	Barbar-like boulder	alcove
Joshua Tree	best end to a day	Joshua Tree, the early days-1974
Cooling down in early season.	Finding afternoon shade in HVCG during a spicy sum...	Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree	Joshua Tree	Let it snow
let it snow 2	Jumbo Rocks Campgrounds	la luna
beware the coyote shoe thief. he steals one of you...	Recycle	Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree	Joshua Tree	Evening Sky at Joshua Tree
Beauty In Hidden Valley	Sunset in Jtree	Flourescent Cactus
Bring tape!

Comments on Joshua Tree National Park

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Show which comments — All Comments (9) Just Beta and Conditions (7) Just Conversational and Off-Topic (2)

By Chris treggE Administrator From: Madison, WI Oct 13, 2008

Average temps

By Brad "Stonyman" Killough Administrator From: Alabama Dec 5, 2008

Such an awesome place!!! Great pictures...!

By C Miller Administrator Nov 4, 2009

A recent article on obscure Joshua Tree routes - www.climbing.com/travel/jtree_gems/.

By C Miller Administrator Dec 21, 2009

Top 5 climbs in Joshua Tree?

By J.J Dec 31, 2009

Just to let everyone know, there is a CHP station a few miles from the entrance to the West Entrance, and they're tricky ones those CHP officers!

By Adam Stackhouse Administrator Jan 3, 2010

Michael Reardon ripping up Josh, solo style...

By Josie McKee Nov 28, 2011

I'm selling Joshua Tree photo calendars for 2012; they make great gifts! Email if interested: josiemckee@gmail.com intersection sunset Submitted By: Josie McKee on Nov 28, 2011

By D. Evans Jan 11, 2012

GORDON FAMILY FUNDRAISER BIG PARTY AT THE GORDON RANCH APRIL 21/ 2012 Once again, we are trying to raise some money to fix the roof at THE RANCH. EVERYONE IS INVITED! Including Stonemasters, Uplanders, wanna-bes, Sheep Buggerers, those mysterious folk from San Diego, RADs, Banditos, Valley boys, Euros, Asians, Latinos, Mazamas, Vulgarians, Buff Alpine clubbers, Sierra Clubbers, American Alpine Clubbers and even Canadians and Newfoundlanders, not to mention people from Florida. In the continuing philanthropic tradition we will be having a giant party at The Gordon residence on April 21, 2012. This year the goal will be to do major repairs on the roof of the main house at The Gordon Ranch. The brutal Joshua Tree weather and the many visitors have taken a toll on the house. They have one messed up roof with multiple leaks. The roofing crew of motivated locals is already set. We just need money for roofing materials the party and more. Most of us know Todd Gordon, AKA "The Mayor of Josh," as one of the most giving humans in the So. Cal climbing community for the last 30 or so years. Chances are you have stayed at one of Todd's houses more than once while visiting Joshua Tree for it's world famous climbing....or you've climbed one of Todd's many, many classic and not so classic routes.... or maybe he even taught you to climb. I myself have been his guest more times than I can remember. We've showered, pooped, watched TV, camped, used the kitchen etc. there while visiting Todd, his family and our beloved Monument (JTNP). This party is going to have a rocking band called "Warsaw." We are also honored to have world traveler Tony Yeary giving a slideshow with pics from the awesome mountains of Peru to our own awesome Sierra Nevada. BYOB We are looking for volunteers to help with food, setup and cleanup. READ THIS PART! We are looking for cash and material donations. Cash in any amount is good. Material donations should be things that can be sold for cash. I will have a continuing sale/auction as this thread develops. Please feel free to call or e-mail me regarding any questions you may have about this must attend event. Cash donations can be Paypaled to me using my e-mail address which is: devansbike@earthlink.net Checks and material donations can be sent to me at: TG Fund. c/o David Evans 1931 Rollingstone Ln. Tustin, CA 92780 Please make checks out to David Evans so that I may deposit and transfer them to the TG fund. call me at 714-492-2159 Thank You All. D. Evans

By Robert Fonda Jan 11, 2012