Joshua Tree National Park

If you live in Southern California you’ve no doubt heard of this desert preserve. It draws tourists from all over the globe. Joshua Tree National Park is a wonderful day trip from the Palm Springs area.

Indian Avenue out of Palm Springs takes you right into Highway 62 (Twentynine Palms Hwy) leading straight to the north entrance station of the park. Another entrance is located on Cottonwood Springs Rd east of Palm Springs on I-10. It’s best to drive all the way through the park. There is an entrance fee for each vehicle which is good for seven consecutive days.

Joshua Tree dates back to its designation as a National Monument in 1936. Since then, the area was designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1984 and a National Park in 1994, encompassing 794,000 acres.  Its namesake, Joshua tree, is an odd looking twisted, spiky tree with bursts of tough leaves sprouting from bulbous branch ends. In the spring, white flowers emerge while temperatures are still quite comfortable. The tallest tree in the park is 40 feet high and estimated to be about 300 years old.

Once inside the park, it’s a whole new world of diverse landscape. There are nature trails and hiking trails of varying distances and for all fitness levels (even wheelchair accessible). Along the drive you’ll come across rock piles to climb on or just photograph and picnic areas tucked among the picturesque boulders and Joshuas. Wildlife includes bighorn sheep, mountain lions, desert tortoises, mule deer and birds such as quail, great horned owls, jays and road runners. It’s simply endless scenery of desert landscape and bony hills.

Parking is plentiful and clean restrooms add to its total enjoyment. There are campgrounds if you want to camp. Hotels can be found in Twentynine Palms and the Coachella Valley cities around Palm Springs.

Address

Cottonwood Springs Rd
Indio, CA 92201

Phone

(760) 367-5500

Website

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