National park · California

Joshua Tree National Park

Named for the iconic yucca trees that grow nowhere else, with human habitation tracing back to the Pinto Culture around 8000 BCE and a 20th-century mining-and-ranching history that ended when the land became protected.

Entrance
$30 private vehicle
Hours
Open 24 hours daily Joshua Tree National Park
Established
October 31, 1994
Region
California
Joshua Tree National Park
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
The Joshua Tree National Park patch

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History

Joshua Tree National Park is named after the unique Joshua tree, which is endemic to the region. It has a rich history of human habitation dating back to the Pinto Culture around 8000 BCE and has been a site of mining and ranching before its designation as a protected area.

Key events

  1. The park was originally declared a national monument in 1936 before being redesignated as a national park in 1994.
  2. Cattle grazing began in the park in 1870, and mining activities continued until the mid-20th century.
  3. Barker Dam, built in 1900, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Trails

  • Ryan Mountain Trail 3 mi · Moderate
  • Hidden Valley Nature Trail 1 mi · Easy
  • Barker Dam Trail 1.1 mi · Easy
  • Fortynine Palms Oasis 3 mi · Moderate
  • Lost Horse Mine Trail 4 mi · Moderate

Plan your visit

Hours · Joshua Tree National Park

Open 24 hours, every day

Joshua Tree National Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Visitation increases as temperatures moderate in the fall, peaks during the spring wildflower season, and diminishes during the heat of summer. Some areas of the park are designated for day use only. Visitor centers keep separate hours; please see descriptions.

Entrance fees

  • Private Vehicle $30
  • Motorcycle $25
  • Per Person $15

Fees and hours as of May 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Winter. Best hiking weather, comfortable 60-70°F temps
  • Spring. Wildflower blooms, mild temps, before summer heat
  • Fall. Cooling temps, fewer crowds, excellent climbing
  • Summer. Extreme heat 100°F+, early morning/evening only

Wildlife

Desert bighorn sheepCoyotesJackrabbitsRoadrunnersRattlesnakesBurrowing owlsChuckwallasDesert tortoises

Nearby patches

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