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Elevation: 4,213 ft
GPS: 34.0122, -116.16796
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 12,782,903 total · 45,234/month
Shared By: C Miller on Dec 31, 2000 · Updates
Admins: Greg Opland, Mike Morley, C Miller, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes, Gunkswest
Warning Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

OVERVIEW Suggest change

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. Some Joshua Tree climbing history can be found here: JT Climbing Oral History.

In recent years, Joshua Tree's popularity has outgrown its carrying capacity. There are 500 campsites in the park, but camping can become very scarce, very fast. 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 $30 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 Joshua Tree pass ($55) or National Parks pass ($80) are also available, and stand 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 Monzogranite 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 Mike Morley.

Park Visitor Information 760-367-5500

Christine Hoenigmann climbing TG

Seth on Vector

Matt Segal leads Acid Crack (5.12d) Photo credit from Leavittator 2015

CAMPING Suggest change

Water is not available in the Park. Please come prepared with water containers if planning on staying more than a day.

* NPS Campground Details - specific information about each campground

* Backcountry camping inside the Park

* BLM land for the squeeze.

* Joshua Tree Lake Campground

* Hipcamp has a great directory of the campgrounds, and for some of them you can even check availability and book them online.

The rarely deserted Indian Cove Campground.

BLM overflow camping sites, Joshua Tree NP

Backcountry camping rules (Covid-19 edition), Joshua Tree NP

HOTELS, MOTELS, B&Bs & VACATION HOMES

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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;numberOfAdults=&arrivalDate=&departureDate=&BTR=&redicardNumber=&corporatePlusNumber=&travelAgentNumber=

*Oasis of Eden Inn

*The Desert Lilly

Roughley Manor Bed and Breakfast Inn: Websites down, but give them a call at (760) 367-3238

*Sunnyvale Garden Suites Hotel

*Sacredsands

*Quail Crossing

SHOWERS

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Showers are available at:

* Coyote Corner No Longer Available

* 29 Palms Family Fitness

73782 2 Mile Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

(760) 361-8010

$5 a shower includes towel, open 7 days a week.

REST DAY ACTIVITIES

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* 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

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GEAR, SUPPLIES AND MEDICAL

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* Just down the road in Yucca Valley, one can find most any service and supply necessary: from major grocery stores, retailers and ubiquitous fast-food joints, to auto lube and tire repair.

* 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.

* POSITIVE RESOLES is the local climbing show resole business. Drop your shoes off at the JT Bike Shop, located adjacent to the post office in Joshua Tree.

* Guide books for the area range from the collectible Wolfe guidebooks to the no frills Bartlett guides to the more recent Miramontes and Vogel guides. Additionally, there are several bouldering specific guides (Fry, Gingery, Miramontes). All have something that the other doesn't.

* The 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 satellite phone by the restrooms at the Hidden Valley Campground/Intersection Rock parking lot. Use this phone only in an emergency. The nearest trauma center is in the Palm Springs area, about an hour's drive away.

* There is a laundromat in downtown Joshua Tree, just west of Nomad Ventures.

GETTING HERE

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  • From Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to the West Entrance is 43.6 miles
  • From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the West Entrance is 148 miles
  • From Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) to the North Entrance is 225 miles
  • From Phoenix International Airport (PHX) through the South Entrance to Belle Campground is 259 miles
  • From Yosemite National Park via Tioga Pass Entrance to the West Entrance is 375 miles

More on air travel...

CURRENT WEATHER

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* Lost Horse Weather Station - located about one mile from Hidden Valley Campground 

* Point forecast for Indian Cove Campground (nearly 2,000 feet lower in elevation than Hidden Valley Campground)

GUIDING

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Permitted guide services in the park:

Golden State Guiding

Vertical Adventures

Cliff Hanger

Climbing life Guides

Mojave Climbing Guides

Joshua Tree Guides

Ground Up Rock Climbing

Stone Adventures

Vertical Pursuits

7,231 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Joshua Tree National Park Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Joshua Tree National Park

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V3 6A
 470
Gunsmoke
Boulder
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 1,122
SW Corner
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13
 605
Mental Physics
Trad 2 pitches
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 1,785
Double Cross
Trad
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c
 1,421
Sail Away
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 700
Dappled Mare
Trad 4 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 806
Touch and Go
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 748
Bird of Fire
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 514
Exorcist
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 1,065
Illusion Dweller
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 438
Clean and Jerk
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 454
Rubicon
Trad
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 359
O'Kelley's Crack
Trad
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 428
Heart of Darkness
Trad
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 433
Coarse and Buggy
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Gunsmoke Joshua Tree Bou… > … > Gunsmoke Area > Gunsmoke Wall
 470
V3 6A Boulder
SW Corner Central Joshua… > … > Ryan Campground > Headstone Rock
 1,122
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Sport
Mental Physics Wonderland of R… > … > W Wonderland Va… > Lenticular Dome
 605
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13 Trad 2 pitches
Double Cross Hidden Valley Area > … > Old Woman > Old Woman - W Face
 1,785
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Sail Away Hidden Valley Area > Real Hidden Valley > Hidden Tower
 1,421
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c Trad
Dappled Mare Lost Horse Area > Lost Horse Wall > Lost Horse Wall - Rig…
 700
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 4 pitches
Touch and Go Central Joshua… > Echo Rock Area > Touch & Go Face
 806
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Bird of Fire Pinto Basin > … > Isles in the Sky > Isles in the Sky (Nor…
 748
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Exorcist Central Joshua… > … > Hall of Horrors > E Wall Inner (Exorcis…
 514
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Illusion Dweller Hidden Valley Area > … > Sentinel > Sentinel - W Face
 1,065
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Clean and Jerk Hidden Valley Area > … > Sports Challeng… > Sports Challenge Rock…
 438
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
Rubicon Pinto Basin > … > Split Rocks West > Rubicon Formation
 454
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
O'Kelley's Crack Central Joshua… > Echo Rock Area > Rusty Wall
 359
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
Heart of Darkness Central Joshua… > … > Conrad Rock > Conrad Rock - Heart o…
 428
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
Coarse and Buggy Hidden Valley Area > … > Dihedral Rock > Dihedral Rock - E Face
 433
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad
More Classic Climbs in Joshua Tree National Park »

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