Mountain Project: Climbing Joshua Tree National Park

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.

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.

WEATHER

CAMPING

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

REST DAY ACTIVITIES

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

GEAR, SUPPLIES AND MEDICAL

GETTING HERE

OTHER INTERESTING STUFF

Featured Route For Joshua Tree National Park

Browning at the last move of the "crux". photo: R.Miramontes

Leave It To Beaver (aka The Beaver) 5.12a CA : Joshua Tree National Park : Sports Challenge Rock

This climb is the centerpiece of Sports Challenge Rock and is located two climbs to the right of Clean And Jerk (5.10c) just right of a large pine tree. Boulder up a short face to a sloping ledge and from there make a series of technical, strenuous moves up an overhanging wall past a flake to a horizontal. From there the climb continues up steep rock past more horizontals to the top.Usually (and easily) top-roped this climb is a great climb to pum...[more]

Add Photo Photos of Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree Sunset	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...	Loner	Wacky clouds on a gorgeous afternoon.
Just another gorgeous afternoon in the Tree	Approximate location of sport routes listed in mp....	sunset
A typical Jtree sunset	Joshua Tree	JTree sunset
JTree in Spring.	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.
Barker Dam with lakeside Rock in the bckround.