Spring Guide

Safety; Rules & Regulations ... p. 2

What to See and Do; Leave No Trace ... p. 3

Hiking Trails ... p. 4

Camping; Equestrian Use ... p. 5

Park Map; Essential Information ... p. 6

Weather; Visitor Center Hours ... p. 7

Geology; Joshua Trees ... p. 9

Water Conservation ... p. 11

Ranger Programs ... p. 12

Welcome to your park!

A hundred years ago, our National Park 

System consisted of a few classic crown 

jewel parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone, 

as well as a handful of monuments and 

historic sites scattered like stars across 

the country. What a difference a century 

makes!

In 2016, we celebrate the 100th 

anniversary of the National Park Service. 

America’s National Park System stretches 

from Guam to Maine and from the 

southernmost Florida key to the Gates of 

the Arctic. National parks protect coral 

reefs, giant redwoods, night skies, and 

even the sounds of silence. They tell the 

stories of patriots entombed in battleships, 

the ancient ancestors of modern day 

tribes, courageous explorers, and civil 

rights leaders. And they do it at seashores, 

on battlefields, in little historic schools, and 

even in deserts.

These 409 park sites across the country 

preserve and protect America’s story. They 

give us a place where we can be inspired, 

where we can be challenged, and even a 

place where we can relax. This year, over 

two million people from around the world 

will come to Joshua Tree to connect with 

the story of the California deserts and 

enjoy the hiking, climbing and beauty 

that one presidential proclamation made 

possible 79 years ago. 

What will the next hundred years hold 

in store for America’s Best Idea? As 

your park superintendent, my job is to 

ensure that Joshua Tree continues to be 

welcoming and relevant to all people, 

while protecting, and restoring what I 

think is one of the most amazing places on 

the planet Earth. Please let me know how 

we are doing and what we can do better 

to help you enjoy your park. 

Sincerely, 

David Smith

Superintendent

Celebrating the Centennial of the 

National Park Service

British Ambassador James Bryce said in 1912, “The 

national park is the best idea America ever had.” It was 

an idea so good that, today, 162 countries of the world 

have national parks.

The great thing about parks is they are timeless. Your 

national parks will continue for another 100 years. On this 

Centennial the national park system is made up of 409 units. 

Some are classified by the designation “National Park,” but 

there are also National Lakeshores, National Monuments, 

National Battlefields, National Scenic Trails, and more. 

All are here because of one phrase in that 1916 legislation: 

“to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects 

and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment 

of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave 

them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” 

Your children’s children will see these treasures.

During your visit to Joshua Tree, you will experience 

one of these units. It was that legislation’s wording 

that allowed Joshua Tree to be set aside in 1936. The 

unique geology, flora, fauna, and history of Joshua 

Tree make this place like nowhere else in the world.

by Chief Ranger Jeff Ohlfs

I n 1914, Un i t e d Stat es Se c r e ta ry o f t h e I n t e r io r

Franklin K. Lane received a letter of complaint about the 

national parks from his old California friend, Stephen 

T. Mather. Secretary Lane replied, “Dear Steve, if you 

don’t like the way the national parks are being run, come 

on down to Washington and run them yourself.”

Up to that time, there was no single agency responsible 

for the management of the 31 national park areas under 

the Department of the Interior. Mr. Mather did go to 

Washington, DC, to change that. His first two years 

were spent working the halls of Congress with his 

young assistant, Horace Albright, “keeping him out 

of jail.” Their work paid off on August 25, 1916, when 

Congress passed the legislation creating the National 

Park Service. Director Mather would serve another 

fourteen years before Albright took the reins as the 

second director of the National Park Service.

The term “national park” is attributed to artist and explorer 

George Catlin who in 1833 proposed in the New York Daily 

Commercial Advertiser that there be, “Preserved in their 

pristine beauty and wilderness, in a magnificent park, where 

the world could see for ages to come ... a nation’s park, 

containing man and beast, in all the wild and freshness 

of their nature’s beauty!” It took almost forty years 

before the world’s first national park, Yellowstone, was 

established in 1872. Ironically, nowhere in Yellowstone’s 

legislation is the phrase “national park”. It was set aside 

as a “public park or pleasuring ground of the people.” 

Wildflowers Declare 

the Desert’s Diversity

Ah, spring! Winter rains can bring a spectacular 

bloom that adds to the year-round beauty of 

plant life at Joshua Tree National Park. Even in 

off years the show is dazzling ... but why is one 

wildflower season so different from the next? 

Aliya Ingersoll explains, and invites you to be a 

citizen scientist helping us keep track of what’s 

going on with our wildflowers. ... p. 8

Women’s History 

Month Retrospective

Take a look back at the accomplishments of 

women in the National Park Service’s first 

century. Discover the stories of a few prominent 

women from Joshua Tree’s own history. Historic 

Structures Specialist Allison Kennedy and 

Museum Specialist Melanie Spoo share pictures 

and tales from the park collections in this special 

Centennial feature. ... p. 10

David Smith

Joshua Tree has many special events planned for the 

Centennial year! See the listing on p. 12 to join the 

celebration. Share your photos and stories of Joshua Tree 

on social media using the hashtag #FindYourPark.

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

February – May 2016

Joshua Tree National Park

The official newspaper
Wildflower viewing is a popular activity for visitors in the springtime. There’s no way to know in 

advance if any given spring will be a great wildflower season. Read more on p. 8.

7

%

CELL PHONES ARE UNRELIABLE

Most of Joshua Tree National 

Park is remote wilderness and 

there is no cell coverage. Do 

not count on your phone for 

navigation or in case of emergency. 

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Emergency phones are 

found at two locations:

• Indian Cove Ranger Station

• Intersection Rock parking area near 

Hidden Valley Campground

If you are in an area with cell service 

and you have an emergency, call 911

or 909-383-5651 for assistance.

PREVENT BITES & STINGS

Joshua Tree is home to seven 

species of rattlesnakes, as 

well as venomous scorpions 

and spiders. These animals are 

less active in winter, but may still 

be present on a warm day. You can 

avoid problems by paying attention 

to your surroundings. Never step 

or reach into places you cannot 

see. Use a flashlight or headlamp at 

night. Campers, check your shoes 

and bedding for critters before use. 

In hot weather, thirsty bees congregate 

around any source of moisture they 

can find, including human perspiration 

and car AC systems. Stay calm around 

bees and do not swat at them. Keep 

drinks and food inside your vehicle.

Be generous in applying sunscreen, and 

reapply often. The desert sun is strong.

Safety: What You Need to Know

We want your trip to Joshua Tree to 

be safe and enjoyable. Ultimately, 

your safety is your responsibility. This 

information will help you prepare.

BRING WATER WITH YOU

Water is available at only 

a few locations around 

the edges of the park:

• Oasis Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms

• Black Rock Campground

• Cottonwood Campground

• West Entrance (25¢ charge; no RV 

water access)

• Indian Cove Ranger Station (no RV 

water access)

STAY HYDRATED & EAT SALTY SNACKS

We recommend drinking a 

minimum of one gallon (about 4 

liters) of water per person, per day. 

You will need more fluids if you are 

active: vigorous hiking, cycling, 

or climbing can cause you to lose 

water and salts at a rate of 1 1/2 quarts 

per hour. Replace these fluids and 

electrolytes by drinking water or sports 

drinks and consuming salty foods.

PREPARE FOR CHANGING WEATHER

Prepare for temperature extremes 

by dressing in layers. Early 

February may have some very chilly 

nights, while temperatures may 

hit 100°F (38°C) later in the spring. 

Always carry extra layers with you. 

Desert weather changes fast and the 

landscape offers little shelter.

GIVE WILDLIFE A BRAKE

Park roads are narrow 

and winding, and 

some areas are often 

congested. Obey posted speed limits. 

The maximum speed in the park is 45 

mph (73 kph), and in many locations 

the speed limit is lower. Driving 

slowly and cautiously helps protect 

park wildlife. If you want to stop to 

view animals or scenery, please use a 

pullout and get completely out of the 

travel lanes to prevent accidents.

DON’T TRUST GPS FOR DRIVING DIRECTIONS

In the desert, some GPS units or 

navigation apps may try to direct you to 

roads that are unsafe for your vehicle. 

For safety, refer to the park map for 

navigation, or check with a ranger. 

TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN

Flash floods occur when monsoon 

thunderstorms pour large amounts 

of rain in a short time. Avoid canyons 

and washes during rainstorms 

and be prepared to move to higher 

ground. While driving, be alert for 

water running across the road. Wait 

for floodwaters to subside rather 

than trying to drive through.

STAY OUT, STAY ALIVE

Many old mine sites exist within the 

park. If you choose to visit them, use 

extreme caution, appreciating them 

from a safe distance. Never enter old 

mine tunnels, shafts, or fenced areas.

Joshua Tree National Park preserves 

and protects the scenic, natural, and 

cultural resources representative of the 

Colorado and Mojave Deserts’ rich 

biological and geological diversity, cultural 

history, wilderness, recreational values, 

and outstanding opportunities for 

education and scientific study.

Superintendent

David Smith

Park Information

760-367-5500

Emergency

Dial 911 or 909-383-5651 

Mailing Address

74485 National Park Drive

Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Website

www.nps.gov/jotr

Social Media

 instagram.com/JoshuaTreeNPS

 twitter.com/JoshuaTreeNPS

 facebook.com/JoshuaTreeNPS

 flickr.com/JoshuaTreeNP

 youtube.com: search JoshuaTreeNPS

E-mail

jotr_info@nps.gov

Lost & Found

Call Lost & Found Coordinator Jeannie 

Campbell at 760-367-5518. Lost property 

reports should include owner’s name, 

mailing address, telephone number, a 

detailed description of the lost item, and 

the date and place where you think you 

lost the item.

Newspaper Editor

Cathy Bell, cathy_bell@nps.gov

Please email with comments or corrections.

The National Park Service cares for the 

special places saved by the American 

people so that all may experience our 

heritage.

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Never reach into rock crevices or onto ledges 

where you can’t see.

Many historic mine sites exist within Joshua 

Tree National Park. Admire, but do not enter.

ö

,

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Watch wildlife respectfully

We recommend staying at least 25 yards (23 m) from wildlife. If an animal reacts 

to your presence by changing its behavior, you are too close—even if you are more 

than 25 yards from it. Move quietly away to give the animal space. Remember, the 

park is home for wild animals. We are just visitors here.

Never feed any wild animals

Consuming human food is unhealthy for wildlife and may encourage aggressive 

behavior. Coyotes, squirrels, ravens, and other animals should be left alone to rely 

on natural sources of food. All food, trash, scented products, and cooking tools 

must be stored securely in a vehicle or hard-sided container. 

Travel responsibly with your pet

Pets are allowed in the park, but their activities are restricted. Pets must be on a 

leash at all times. They cannot go more than 100 feet (30 m) from a road, picnic 

area, or campground. Pets are not allowed on hiking trails. Owners must never 

leave a pet unattended or tied to an object. Bag and dispose of pet waste.

No drones or remote controlled vehicles

Remote controlled vehicles, including aircraft and rockcrawlers, are prohibited in 

Joshua Tree National Park. Drones and other remotely-operated craft can disturb 

wildlife and disrupt the visitor experience.

Campfires

Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings or grills that are found in park 

campgrounds and picnic areas. Campfires are not allowed in the backcountry. 

Bring your own firewood and extra water to douse your campfire. Do not use park 

vegetation, living or dead, for fuel.

Rules and Regulations

No collecting park resources, including living or dead vegetation

It is the mission of the National Park Service to preserve all natural and cultural 

resources unimpaired for future generations. Please leave everything in the park 

as it is for others to enjoy. Do not destroy, deface, dig, collect, or otherwise 

disturb any park resources including plants or animals (whether they are dead or 

alive), rocks, fossils, or artifacts.

Rock climbing

The National Park Service does not inspect, maintain, or repair bolts and other 

climbing equipment anywhere in the park. Climbers should check http://www.

nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/climbing.htm for bolting guidance.

All motor vehicles and bicycles must stay on roads

The desert environment is more fragile than it may look. The ruts and scars left 

by vehicles and bicycles illegally taken off-road can last for years or even decades. 

Red and green sticker dirt bikes, ATVs, and UTVs are prohibited in the park.

Watch for tortoises

The desert tortoise is a threatened species that often dies from being hit by 

cars. Drive carefully in the park: small tortoises on the road look a lot like rocks. 

Though tortoises typically stay underground during the winter months, fall visitors 

should still take care. Tortoises may drink from puddles on the roads after rains or 

take shelter from the hot sun under vehicles. Leave tortoises undisturbed.

Firearms and weapons

Firearms may be possessed in accordance with California state and federal laws. 

However, they may not be discharged in the park. Fireworks, traps, bows, BB 

guns, paintball guns, and slingshots are not allowed in the park.

No!

l e av e j o s h ua t r e e p r is t i n e f o r

those who visit the park after you. 

Learn and practice the seven Leave 

No Trace principles.

PLAN AHEAD & PREPARE

• Know the regulations and special 

concerns for the area you’ll visit.

• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, 

and emergencies.

• Schedule your trip to avoid times of high 

use.

• Visit in small groups when possible. 

Consider splitting larger groups into 

smaller groups.

• Repackage food to minimize waste.

• Use a map and compass. Do not set up 

rock cairns or other physical markers.

TRAVEL & CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES

• Durable surfaces include established 

trails and campsites, rock, and gravel.

• No camping in rock shelters or caves.

• Allow wildlife free access to scarce desert 

water sources. Do not camp nearby.

• Good campsites are found, not made. 

Altering a site is not necessary.

• In popular areas, concentrate use on 

existing trails and campsites. 

• In pristine areas, disperse use to prevent 

the creation of campsites and trails. 

Avoid places where impacts are just 

beginning.

DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY

• Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your 

campsite and rest areas for trash or 

spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover 

food and litter.

• Deposit solid human waste in catholes 

dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet 

from water, camp, and trails. Cover and 

disguise the cathole when finished.

• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene 

products. These items do not break 

down in the arid desert environment, 

even when buried.

LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND

• Preserve the past: examine, but do not 

touch, cultural or historic structures and 

artifacts.

• Leave rocks, plants and other natural 

objects as you find them.

• Avoid introducing or transporting 

non-native species.

• Do not build structures, furniture, or dig 

trenches.

MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS

• Campfires are allowed only in established metal fire rings in campgrounds 

and picnic areas with fire grates. All 

wood must be brought in from outside 

the park—no collecting.

• Keep your fire small. Put it out 

completely before you leave your site.

• No campfires in the backcountry. Use a 

lightweight stove for cooking.

RESPECT WILDLIFE

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not 

follow or approach animals.

• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife 

damages their health, alters natural 

behaviors, and exposes them to danger.

• Protect wildlife and your food by storing 

rations and trash securely.

• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: 

mating, nesting, raising young, or harsh 

weather conditions.

BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHER VISITORS

• Respect other visitors and protect the 

quality of their experience.

• Be courteous. Yield to other users on the 

trail. Hikers traveling uphill have rightof-way.

• Step to the downhill side of the trail 

when encountering pack stock.

• Take breaks and camp away from trails 

and other visitors.

• Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud 

voices and noises. Respect campground 

quiet hours.

Learn more about how to minimize 

recreation impacts and protect Joshua 

Tree’s wildlands for the future. Talk 

to a ranger or visit www.LNT.org.

Leave No Trace

What to See and Do

Th e d e s e r t is a t i t s b e s t w h e n

viewed up close and at a slow pace. 

From a whizzing car, the landscape 

may at first appear bleak or drab. 

Closer examination, though, reveals 

a fascinating variety of plants 

and animals. Rocks sculpted by 

weather and time contrast with the 

brilliant blue of the desert sky.

Joshua Tree National Park has endless 

opportunities for exploration and 

discovery. Begin your trip at a park 

visitor center, where a ranger will be 

happy to answer your questions and 

get you oriented. The two northern 

visitor centers are outside the park, in 

the communities of Twentynine Palms 

and Joshua Tree. See p. 7 for hours.

IF YOU HAVE A FEW HOURS IN THE PARK:

• Drive between the West Entrance and 

North Entrance to see our famous 

Joshua trees and boulder fields.

• Drive to Keys View for a lovely vista of 

the Coachella Valley. On days with little 

air pollution, you may be able to see 

beyond the shining Salton Sea to Signal 

Mountain in Mexico.

• Enjoy a short walk on one or two of the 

park’s nature trails (p. 4) to get an upclose look at desert scenery and plants. 

• Kids of all ages are invited to participate 

in our Junior Ranger program.

• Take a short side trip into the Pinto Basin 

to visit the Cholla Cactus Garden and 

Ocotillo Patch.

IF YOU HAVE AN ENTIRE DAY:

• Drive through both the Mojave Desert 

and the Colorado Desert by going from 

the West Entrance to the South Entrance. 

See where Joshua trees grow in the 

Mojave, in the western half of the park, 

and observe the different vegetation of 

the Colorado in the lower elevations of 

the Pinto Basin and Cottonwood areas. 

• Attend a ranger-led activity like a patio 

talk, guided walk, or evening program 

(p. 12). If you’ll be visiting on a weekend, 

consider calling ahead to make a 

reservation for a Keys Ranch tour (fee).

• Hike one or two of the park’s longer 

trails (p. 4). 

• Pleasant fall temperatures bring rock 

climbers to Joshua Tree from all over the 

world. Not a climber yourself? You may 

still enjoy watching climbers in action 

around Hidden Valley Campground and 

Intersection Rock.

IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE DAY:

• Spend the night in one of our 

campgrounds (p. 5). Or, if you have the 

right gear, experience, and fitness level, 

consider an overnight backcountry trip.

• Explore the longer hiking trails around 

Black Rock or Cottonwood (p. 4).

• If you have a mountain bike or highclearance vehicle, consider exploring a 

backcountry road (descriptions at right) 

to experience parts of the park that most 

visitors never see. The Geology Tour 

Road is often a great choice. Ask a ranger 

for advice before leaving the pavement. 

D Backcountry Roads

J o s h ua Tr e e ’s b a c k c o u n t r y

roads allow properly equipped visitors 

to explore remote areas of the park, 

but preparedness is crucial. Errors in 

judgment can be deadly. Always ask a 

ranger for current information about 

road conditions before venturing out. 

For your own safety and the protection 

of natural features, all wheeled 

vehicles (including bicycles) must 

remain on designated roads. Off road 

driving and riding are prohibited.

GEOLOGY TOUR ROAD

18 mi (29 km) loop

This route starts 2 mi (3.2 km) west of 

Jumbo Rocks. Pick up an interpretive 

guide from the brochure box at the 

start. A round trip takes about two 

hours. The first few miles of the road 

are open to most vehicles, with fourwheel drive needed after marker 9.

QUEEN VALLEY ROADS

13.4 mi (21.7 km) total 

Usually passable to all vehicles, this 

network of dirt roads crisscrosses 

a valley of boulder piles and Joshua 

trees. The Queen Valley dirt roads are 

popular with cyclists and dog walkers.

COVINGTON FLATS ROADS

9 mi (21.7 km) total

Covington Flats is home to some of the 

park’s largest Joshua trees, junipers, 

and pinyon pines. You can drive all 

the way to the summit of Eureka Peak 

(5,518 ft/ 1,682 m) for panoramic views 

from Palm Springs to the Morongo 

Basin. High clearance recommended.

BERDOO CANYON ROAD

11.5 mi (18.4 km) within the park

Connecting the south end of Geology 

Tour Rd. with Dillon Rd. in the 

Coachella Valley, this challenging road 

requires a high level of driver skill as 

well as high clearance and four-wheel 

drive; narrow wheel-base suggested.

PINKHAM CANYON ROAD

20 mi (32.4 km) one way

This challenging road begins at 

Cottonwood Visitor Center, travels 

along Smoke Tree Wash, and then 

turns south down Pinkham Canyon. 

Sections of the road run through soft 

sand and rocky plains. High clearance 

and four-wheel drive are required; 

narrow wheel-base suggested.

BLACK EAGLE MINE ROAD

9 mi (14.5 km) within the park

This dead-end dirt road begins 6.5 mi 

(10.5 km) north of the Cottonwood 

Visitor Center. It runs along the 

southern edge of Pinto Basin, 

crossing several dry washes before 

reaching the park boundary. Beyond 

that is BLM land. High clearance 

and four-wheel drive required.

OLD DALE MINE ROAD

12.3 mi (19.8 km) within the park

Starts at the same point as Black Eagle 

Mine Rd., but heads north across sandy 

Pinto Basin, a dry lake bed. It then 

climbs steeply to the park boundary. 

About 11 miles (17.7 k) north of the park, 

it connects with Hwy 62. High clearance and four-wheel drive required; 

narrow wheel-base suggested.

j

2 Joshua Tree Guide February – May 2016 3
No Pets on Trails

Help us protect wildlife

and keep pets safe

Camping

Campground

Number 

of Sites

Fee Elevation Water Flush 

Toilets

Pit 

Toilets

Tables Fire 

Grates

Dump

Station

Belle 18 $15 3,800 ft no no yes yes yes no

Black Rock 99 $20 4,000 ft yes yes no yes yes yes

Cottonwood 

62 $20 3,000 ft yes yes no yes yes yes

Hidden Valley - RVs and trailers may not exceed 

a combined maximum length of 25 ft.

44 $15 4,200 ft no no yes yes yes no

Indian Cove 

101 $20 3,200 ft no no yes yes yes no

Jumbo Rocks 124 $15 4,400 ft no no yes yes yes no

Ryan 31 $15 4,300 ft no no yes yes yes no

White Tank - RVs and trailers may not exceed a 

combined maximum length of 25 ft.

15 $15 3,800 ft no no yes yes yes no

Campgrounds usually fill on weekends at this time of year. Reservations 

for Indian Cove and Black Rock Campgrounds are available from October 

through May. Go to www.recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 up to six 

months in advance of your visit to make a reservation. If you can’t find a 

campsite, ask a ranger for a copy of the park’s overflow camping handout.

Visitors staying overnight in the park must camp in a designated 

campground or backcountry camping area. Sleeping in your vehicle 

outside of a campground is prohibited, and there is no camping at 

roadside pullouts, trailheads, or along the side of the road.

CAMPGROUND RULES A maximum of six people, three tents, and two cars 

may occupy an individual campsite, if there is space. Some sites only have 

enough parking for one vehicle. Check in and check out are at noon. 

Camping fees must be paid within one hour of selecting a campsite. 

Quiet hours are from 10 pm-6 am. Generator use is permitted only from 

7-9 am, 12-2 pm, and 5-7 pm. There is a 30-day camping limit each year. 

Only 14 of these nights may take place from October – May. All tents, 

tarps, and camping equipment must be set up within 25 ft of the picnic 

table or fire grate at a site. Do not set up slacklines in campgrounds.

Joshua Tree National Park is vast, and little of it is accessible by road. An overnight trip into the 

backcountry is a memorable experience that allows hikers and horseback riders to experience 

solitude and immersion in wild nature. Adequate preparation is key to enjoying the desert 

safely.

Bring Water

Water sources in the desert are scarce and are reserved for wildlife. You must carry with you a 

supply of water adequate for drinking, cooking, and hygiene. This means carrying at least two 

gallons (about 8 liters) of water per person per day of your trip. Minimize exertion during the 

heat of the day in order to help prevent dehydration.

Register

To camp overnight in the backcountry, you must first self-register for a free permit at a backcountry board (for locations, see park map, pp. 6-7). Leave your vehicle parked at one of the 

park’s backcountry boards, too. An unregistered vehicle or a vehicle left overnight somewhere 

other than at a backcountry board brings up safety concerns. It is also subject to citation and 

towing.

Setting Up Camp

Your backcountry camp must be located at least one mile (1.6 km) from the road and 500 

ft (152 m) from any trail. Avoid camping in washes: sudden storms may lead to flooding. No 

camping is allowed in rock shelters, caves, or day use areas. It is your responsibility to check 

the locations of day use areas, which are indicated on maps at the backcountry boards.

Leave No Trace

If you plan to cook or heat food, bring a camp stove and fuel. No fires are allowed in the 

backcountry. Pack out all trash, including leftover food items like apple cores, banana peels, 

and orange skins. These items can take years to decay in the dry desert environment. Similarly, 

while solid human waste should be buried in a cat hole at least six inches (15 cm) deep, used 

toilet paper must be packed out with all other trash. Remember to bring zip-top bags.

Wilderness

Almost 85% of Joshua Tree’s 792,510 acres are managed as wilderness. The Joshua Tree 

Wilderness was protected by an act of Congress and is considered “an area where the earth 

and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does 

not remain.” Wilderness is the highest level of conservation protection for federally-managed 

public lands. No mechanized transport is allowed in wilderness.

Help us preserve the wilderness character of Joshua Tree for future generations. Review the 

Leave No Trace principles on p. 3 as you prepare for your trip, then put them into practice.

Backcountry Camping

ç Hiking

Trail Trailhead Location Distance Estimated Description

 Time

Short Walks and Nature Trails

Arch Rock White Tank Campground, 

opposite site 9

0.3 mi 

(0.5 km)

30 minutes Loop. Explore the geology of a unique area and view a natural arch on this short walk.

Bajada South of Cottonwood Visitor 

Center; 0.5 mi (0.8 km) north of 

the South Entrance

0.25 mi

(0.4 km)

15-20 minutes Loop. Walk on a bajada and discover plants of the Colorado Desert on this easy, accessible path.

Barker Dam Barker Dam parking area 1.1 mi

(1.8 km)

1 hour Loop. Explore cultural history and view a water tank built by early cattle ranchers. Watch for bighorn sheep.

Cap Rock Cap Rock parking area, at the 

junction of Park Blvd. and Keys 

View Rd.

0.4 mi 

(0.6 km)

30-45 minutes Loop. View boulder piles, Joshua trees, and other desert plants on this easy, accessible path.

Cholla Cactus Garden 20 mi (32 km) north of 

Cottonwood Visitor Center

0.25 mi 

(0.4 km)

15-30 minutes Loop. View thousands of densely concentrated, naturally growing cholla cactus. Stay on the trail, wear closed-toe 

shoes, and be aware of prickly cactus. 

Cottonwood Spring Cottonwood Campground; also 

accessible from Cottonwood 

Spring parking area

1.3 mi

(2.1 km)

1-11⁄2 hours Out and back. Take an easy stroll from Cottonwood Campground to nearby Cottonwood Spring. Or park at the 

Cottonwood Spring parking area, walk 50 yards (46 m) down a hill, and enjoy the shade of the palm trees at this 

desert oasis.

Hidden Valley Hidden Valley picnic area 1 mi 

(1.6 km)

1 hour Loop. Discover a rock-enclosed valley that was once rumored to have been used by cattle rustlers.

Hi-View Northwest of Black Rock 

Campground

1.3 mi (2.1 km) from 

board at parking area. 

3 mi (4.8 km) from 

visitor center.

11⁄2-2 hours Loop. Discover the world of Joshua tree forests. Hike up a ridge on the western side of the park and take in panoramic 

views of the area. There are some steep sections, as well as several benches to take a break and enjoy the view.

Indian Cove West end of Indian Cove 

Campground

0.6 mi 

(1 km)

30-45 minutes Loop. Walk on a gently rolling path with a few steps. Take a closer look at desert plants and learn about their 

traditional uses by Native Americans.

Keys View Keys View 0.25 mi 

(0.4 km)

30 minutes Loop. Short, accessible path with breathtaking views of the San Andreas Fault, Mt. San Jacinto, Mt. San Gorgonio, and 

the Salton Sea.

Oasis of Mara Oasis Visitor Center, Twentynine 

Palms

0.5 mi 

(0.8 km)

30-45 minutes Loop. Explore a desert oasis on this easy, accessible walk. See how the Oasis of Mara has been used by wildlife and 

people throughout time.

Ryan Ranch Ryan Ranch trailhead, about 

0.5 mi (0.8 km) east of Ryan 

Campground

1 mi

(1.6 km)

1 hour Out and back. Enjoy an easy hike along an old ranch road and see a historic adobe structure.

Skull Rock Skull Rock parking area just east 

of Jumbo Rocks Campground; 

also accessible from within 

Jumbo Rocks Campground

1.7 mi

(2.7 km)

1-2 hours Loop. Take an easy hike and explore boulder piles, desert washes, and of course the namesake Skull Rock.

ô `

ô

ô

ô

Moderate Hikes

Fortynine Palms Oasis Fortynine Palms parking 

area, accessed off Hwy 62

3 mi

(4.8 km)

2-3 hours Out and back. There is a 300 ft (91 m) elevation gain in both directions, as you hike up and over a ridge dotted with 

barrel cactus. Beyond the ridge, descend to a fan palm oasis in a rocky canyon. Avoid this trail when it’s very hot out.

Lost Horse Mine Lost Horse Mine trailhead 

off Keys View Rd.

4 mi

(6.4 km)

2-3 hours Out and back. Explore around one of the most successful gold mines in the park. Stay outside the fenced area to protect 

the millsite and mine. For a longer option, see Lost Horse Loop, under Challenging Hikes.

Mastodon Peak Cottonwood Spring parking 

area

3 mi

(4.8 km)

11/2-21/2 hours Loop. An optional rock scramble takes you to the top of a craggy granite peak. The trail then loops around past an old 

gold mine. Elevation change is about 400 feet.

Pine City Pine City trailhead at end of 

Desert Queen Mine Rd.

4 mi

(6.4 km)

2-3 hours Out and back. The highlight of this fairly flat trail is a dense stand of junipers and pinyon. The trail also goes to an old 

mining site.

Split Rock Loop Split Rock picnic area 2.5 mi

(4.0 km)

11/2-21/2 hours Loop. Distance includes side trip to Face Rock.

West Side Loop Black Rock 4.7 mi

(7.6 km)

21⁄2-4 hours Loop. Explore the ridges and washes west of Black Rock campground while taking in lovely views.

Wall Street Mill Barker Dam parking area 2 mi

(3.2 km)

11/2-21/2 hours Out and back. Travel to the remains of an historic gold milling site.

Challenging Hikes

Boy Scout Trail North end: Indian Cove 

backcountry board. South 

end: Boy Scout Trailhead.

8 mi

(12.9 km)

6 hours One way. Go deep into the Wonderland of Rocks. Stay on trail to avoid getting lost among the boulders. Most hikers 

prefer to start at the south trailhead, inside the West Entrance, and finish at Indian Cove. Vehicle shuttle strongly recommended for hikers interested in doing the full length of the trail.

California Riding and 

Hiking Trail

Several 35 mi

(56.3 km)

2-3 days to hike 

entire length

One way. Shorter hikes possible on sections of this long trail. Travel from Black Rock Canyon to the North Entrance of the 

park, passing through a variety of Mojave Desert landscapes.

Lost Horse Loop Lost Horse Mine trailhead 

off Keys View Rd.

6.5 mi

(10.5 km)

3-4 hours Loop. For a shorter option, see Lost Horse Mine, under Moderate Hikes.

Lost Palms Oasis Cottonwood Spring parking 

area

7.2 mi

(11.6 km)

5-6 hours Out and back. Enjoy sandy washes and rolling terrain, then hike down into a canyon to explore a remote fan palm oasis. 

Climbing back out of the canyon is strenuous. This hike is not recommended for hot days in late spring.

Panorama Loop Black Rock 6.6 mi

(10.6 km)

31/2-41/2 hours Loop. Gain about 1,100 feet (336 m) in elevation as you hike up a sandy wash, then follow the ridgeline of the Little San 

Bernardino Mountains. Enjoy scenic views, dense Joshua tree forest, and pinyon-juniper woodland. 

Ryan Mountain Parking area between Sheep 

Pass and Ryan Campground

3 mi

(4.8 km)

11/2-21/2 hours Out and back. Gain about 1,000 feet (300 m) in elevation as you hike to the summit of Ryan Mountain. This is one of the 

most popular hikes in the park.

Warren Peak Black Rock 6.3 mi

(10.1 km)

31/2-41/2 hours Out and back. Gain 1,000 ft (300 m) in elevation as you hike to the summit of Warren Peak. Enjoy panoramic views of 

the quiet western part of Joshua Tree.

I Equestrian Use

Horseback riding is a popular way to experience the park. The Backcountry and 

Wilderness Management Plan provides for more than 200 miles of equestrian 

trails and trail corridors that traverse open lands, canyon bottoms, and dry 

washes. Many riding trails are already open, clearly marked, and ready to be 

enjoyed. Other trails are in various states of development. Trail maps for the 

West Entrance area and for the Black Rock Canyon area are available.

Stock use is limited to horses and mules and is restricted to designated equestrian 

trails and corridors, open dirt roads, and shoulders of paved roads. Riders should 

travel single file to reduce damage to soil and vegetation. Stock animals are not 

permitted within 1⁄4 mile of any natural or constructed water source. Horses and 

other stock are not permitted on nature trails, in the Wonderland of Rocks, in 

campgrounds, in picnic areas, or at visitor centers. A permit is required to camp 

with stock in the backcountry; call 760-367-5545.

The park has two equestrian campgrounds available only to visitors with 

horses. Reservations are required.

• Ryan Horse Camp, elevation 4,300 ft (1,310 m), is open October–May. 4 sites, 

$15/night. No water. For reservations, call 760-367-5545.

• Black Rock Horse Camp, elevation 4,000 ft (1,219 m), is open all year. 20 sites, 

$20/night. For reservations, call 1-877-444-6777.

For more information, please see the park website at

http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/horseback-riding.htm

or ask a ranger about horse use.

− Group Camping

Reservations are required for group camping. Sites can accommodate 

groups of 10-60 people and may be reserved up to a year in advance, 

online at www.recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777.

Group camping is available at three locations in Joshua Tree National Park:

• Cottonwood Group, elevation 3,000 ft (914 m). 3 sites, $35-40 depending on site 

capacity. Tents only. RVs and habitable trailers prohibited.

• Indian Cove Group, elevation 3,200 ft (975 m). 13 sites, $35-50 depending on site 

capacity. Can accommodate RVs or trailers, maximum combined length 25 ft.

• Sheep Pass Group, elevation 4,500 ft (1372 m). 6 sites, $35-50 depending on site 

capacity. Tents only. RVs and habitable trailers prohibited.

On any desert hike, remember the Ten Essentials: 

• water • sturdy shoes

• food • navigation (map & compass)

• layers of clothing • pocket knife or multitool

• sun protection • flashlight or headlamp

• first aid kit • emergency shelter

Carefully review the safety information and regulations on 

p. 2. There is no guarantee of safety in a national park.

Leave information about your planned route and expected 

return time with a friend or family member before 

hiking. Check in with this person when you return. In an 

emergency, call 911 or 909-383-5651. 

−

4 Joshua Tree Guide February – May 2016 5
0.52 0.59

0.45

0.13 0.09 0.01

0.48

0.81

0.4

0.2 0.2

0.58

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

inches

Average Precipitation By Month

Average Temperature Range By Month

110°F 

(43°C)

100°F

(38°C)

90°F

(32°C)

80°F

(27°C)

70°F

(21°C)

60°F

(16°C)

50°F

(10°C)

40°F

(4°C)

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Rd

Quail

Springs

White Feather Rd

Hi Desert Medical Center

Desert Regional

Medical Center

Bob Hope Dr 130

131

Eisenhower Medical

Center

John F. Kennedy

Memorial Hospital

10

10

177

111

111

111

247

62

62

86

62

62 62

15

Emergency phone

Ranger station

Picnic area

Self-guiding trail

Hospital

Campground

Group campground

(reservations required)

Unpaved road

High clearance, 

4-wheel drive road

Hiking trail

Backcountry board

(overnight registration) Drinking water

0

0 5 10 Miles

5 10 Kilometers

North

Joshua Tree Visitor Center Oasis Visitor Center

Cottonwood Visitor Center 

California Riding and Hiking Trail

Boy Scout Trail

Keys View

Lost Horse

Mine

Cholla Cactus Garden

Fortynine Palms

Oasis

Oasis of Mara

Barker Dam

Keys

Ranch

Ryan Mtn

Hidden Valley

Lost Palms Oasis

Geology Tour

Road

Cottonwood Spring

Ocotillo Patch

Indian

Cove

Cap Rock==

Split Rock

Live

Oak

Skull

Rock

Smoke Tree Wash

Fried Liver Wash

Porcupine Wash

North

Entrance Station

West

Entrance Station

Entrance Station

Belle 

White Tank

Bajada Nature Trail

Jumbo 

Rocks

Sheep Pass

Ryan

Hidden Valley

N. Indian Canyon Drive

Monterey Ave

 Yucca Trail Alta Loma Dr

Berdoo Canyon Road

Thermal Canyon Road

Pinkham Canyon Road

Black Eagle Mine Road

Old Dale Road

Utah Trail

Gold Crown Road

Indian Canyon Road Cove Rd Park Blvd

Amboy Road

Dillon Road

To Amboy 30mi 48km

To 48mi 77km 

To Parker

 60mi 96km

To Blythe

35mi 56km

To Mecca and Salton Sea 8mi 13km

To 

Los Angeles

98mi 158km One Way

Joshua

Lane

Black Rock Canyon Old Dale

Mining

District

PALM SPRINGS

 PALM DESERT

INDIO

COACHELLA

DESERT

HOT

SPRINGS

YUCCA VALLEY

DESERT CENTER

CHIRIACO SUMMIT

TWENTYNINE

PALMS

La Contenta Road

To Mecca and Salton Sea 13mi 21km 

Park Blvd

Adobe Rd To Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 3mi 5km

Park

Boulevard

MORONGO

VALLEY

53mi 85km

CATHEDRAL

CITY

RANCHO

MIRAGE

Pinto

Basin Road

Box Canyon Road

Twentynine Palms Highway

To Victorville and

Palomar

Ave

Kaiser Road

JOSHUA

TREE

40

117

120

168

192

Monroe St

142

146

Colorado Desert

Mojave Desert

Colorado Desert

Mojave Desert

S A N

A N D R E A S

F A U L T

S A N

A N D R E A S

F A U L T

C

O

X

C

O

M

B

M

O

U

N

T

A

I

N

S

E A G L E

M

O

U

N

T

A

I

N

S

C O T T O N W O O D M O U N T A I N S

P I N T O M O U N T A I N S

H E X I E

M O U N T A I N S

P I N T O

B A S I N

LOST HORSE VALLEY

PLEASANT

VALLEY

T W E N T Y N I N E

PA L M S M T N S

WILSON CANYON

UPPER

COVINGTON FLAT

I N D I O

H I L L S

L I T T L E

S A N

B E R N A R D I N O

M O U N T A I N S

C O A C H E L L A

V A L L E Y

S H E E P

H O L E

M O U N T A I N S

LOWER COVINGTON FLAT

Off-road driving is prohibited

SEA LEVEL

Quail Mountain 5814ft

1773m

Queen Mountain

5677ft

1731m

5458ft

1664m

Eureka Peak 5516ft

1682m

4000ft

1219m

Monument Mountain 4834ft

1474m

Aqua Peak

4416ft

1346m

Eagle Mountain

5350ft

1631m

1705ft

520m

906ft

276m

5185ft

1581m

150ft

46m 

1960ft

 598m 2728ft

831m

2538ft

774m

1100ft

335m

3279ft

999m

3079ft

 939m

-71ft

-22m

2957ft

902m

Pinto Mountain 3983ft

1214m

Copper Mountain

3071ft

936m

Wilderness

Congress has designated

nearly 558,000 acres of

Joshua Tree National Park

as wilderness. Most of the

park away from road

corridors is wilderness. If

you plan to venture into

these areas, you must be

familiar with special rules

and regulations governing

wilderness use.

Transition Zone

In this ecological melting

pot, two great deserts,

the Mojave and Colorado,

blend together in a vibrant

landscape featuring plants

and animals representative

of both.

Locked gate

10 miles ahead

Locked

gate

Arch

Rock

Queen Valley

Bighorn Pass Rd

Odelle Rd

Desert Queen

Mine Rd

Stirrup

Tank

Getting Here

Joshua Tree National Park is located in Southern California, about 140 miles east of Los Angeles, 175 

miles northeast of San Diego, and 215 miles southwest of Las Vegas. Visitors may drive to Joshua Tree via 

Interstate 10 or Highway 62 (the Twentynine Palms Highway). The closest commercial airport is in Palm 

Springs. There is no public transportation to the park. 

Dates and Hours of Operation

The park is always open; visitors may come and go at any time. However, several areas are designated for 

day use only. 

Entrance Fees

$20 for a single, non-commercial vehicle. 

$10 per motorcycle. 

$10 per person on foot, bicycle, or horseback.

Also available: $30 Joshua Tree National Park Annual Pass, $80 Interagency Annual Pass, $10 Interagency 

Senior Pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents ages 62 and over, free Interagency Access Pass, free 

Interagency Military Pass. Ask at an entrance station for more details.

Essential Information

Visitor Center

Oasis Visitor Center

760-367-5500

Joshua Tree Visitor Center

Cottonwood Visitor Center

Black Rock Nature Center

open October – May

Hours of Operation

daily 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

daily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

daily 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

daily (except Friday) 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Friday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

Address

74485 National Park Drive

Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

6554 Park Boulevard

Joshua Tree, CA 92252

6 miles (10 km) inside South 

Entrance; access from I-10

9800 Black Rock Canyon Road

Yucca Valley, CA 92284

Visitor Center Hours and Locations

Map of Joshua Tree National Park

Preparing for the Weather

Visitors to Joshua Tree National Park must prepare for a wide variety of 

conditions. Elevations range from 506 ft (154 m) to 5,814 ft (1,772 m) above 

sea level. The measurements shown in the average monthly precipitation 

and temperature graphs, below and at right, are based on data from 

Twentynine Palms, elevation 1,960 ft (597 m). At higher elevations, 

expect temperatures to be 7-12°F cooler than shown. While averages 

are shown here, any individual day may be much hotter, much colder, 

or much wetter than expected based on these long-term averages.

Be a Junior Ranger!

Kids of all ages are invited to participate 

in the Junior Ranger program. Earn 

a Joshua Tree Junior Ranger badge 

by completing the official activity 

book. Stop by any park visitor center 

or entrance station to pick one up.

6 Joshua Tree Guide February – May 2016 7
Wildflowers: A Declaration of Desert Diversity

We’ve partnered with iNaturalist to 

crowdsource reports of what’s going on with 

wildflowers in the park. Check out the Joshua 

Tree National Park Wildflower Watch, a project 

that uses citizen science to collect data about 

flowers are blooming, where they are, and 

when they are seen each year. It’s easy and fun 

to upload your observations. 

http://www.inaturalist.org/projects/joshuatree-national-park-wildflower-watch

Report Damage to Park Resources

If you see someone damaging park resources ...

• Do not approach them.

• Note time, location, and other details including 

descriptions, and license plate/vehicle information. 

Take pictures if possible.

• Contact park staff as soon as possible at the nearest 

visitor center or entrance station. You may also report 

vandalism by calling 911 or park dispatch toll free at 

909-383-5651. 

We are all stewards of this land. If we want it to be 

here for future generations, we must keep it safe 

today.

Increasing popularity brings more and more people to 

Joshua Tree National Park every year. Most visitors are 

respectful, but there are the few who decide to leave a 

lasting impact on the park.

In recent years, park managers have been forced 

to close areas due to excessive vandalism. Some 

resources have been damaged to the extent that they 

can never be fully cleaned or replaced.

All parts of the park are protected by federal law.

Despite its apparent harshness, the desert is a land 

of extreme fragility. And remember: graffiti in a 

national park is not art.

Conservators at work removing graffiti from historic Barker Dam, spring 2015. As recently as 

2011, there was no graffiti on this structure; by 2014 the dam was almost completely defaced.

Joshua Tree’s Boulders

Th e b o u l d e r s a n d r o c k

formations of Joshua Tree National 

Park define the park landscape. The 

rocks catch the eye of climbers, 

photographers, hikers, and motorists. 

Most everyone asks, “What are they?” 

“Where did they come from?” or 

“What’s with all the strange shapes?”

WHAT ARE THEY?

Many visitors think the rocks look 

like layers of sandstone, but they 

are actually a kind of granite, not 

unlike the rock commonly used for 

countertops. Granites are igneous in 

origin, meaning they formed when 

hot, molten fluids within the earth’s 

crust gradually cooled into hard rock. 

Most granites in the park are a 

particular type called “monzogranite.” 

Joshua Tree’s monzogranites 

solidified beneath the surface of the 

Earth starting about 245 million 

years ago, with the youngest rocks 

formed over 100 million years ago.

WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?

About 250 million years ago—

before the dinosaurs came to 

dominate the planet—the thick 

North American plate began riding 

over the thinner Pacific Plate. The 

water-rich oceanic plate was forced 

under the continent at an angle.

Water at depth, where temperatures are 

extremely hot, helped to melt the rock 

into granitic magma. It was hot, liquid, 

and lightweight, and was able to ooze 

upward along deep-seated cracks in the 

crust that had been fractured by the 

fierce crunching of the charging plates.

The liquid granite couldn’t force itself 

all the way up to the surface, so the 

granite stalled and formed huge, ballshaped masses within the ancient rock. 

Over a long period of time, the great 

blobs of granite cooled and hardened.

The ancient rock, called gneiss 

(pronounced “nice”), began to erode. 

Over millions of years, the gneiss 

has completely vanished from the 

surface in most of the park. The 

gneiss, dark in color, does remain 

exposed on mountain tops. Younger 

and lighter-colored monzogranites 

are seen in the valley bottoms.

WHAT’S WITH ALL THE STRANGE SHAPES?

In many places in the park, the 

boulders appear as if some gigantic 

child piled them up. Some boulders 

have carved faces, are shaped like 

animals, or take other fanciful forms.

Cracks in the rocks and water

are the keys to the appearance 

of our rocks today.

Horizontal stresses from the collision 

of tectonic plates created sets of 

parallel, vertical fractures within 

the buried rock. Later, mountain 

building pushed the rocks upward 

to form sets of X-shaped cracks 

standing at angles in the granite. 

All the fractures were avenues for 

rainwater to seep downward through 

the rocks to etch and shape and round 

the originally angular blocks into the 

varied forms seen today in the park.

During the last Ice Age, the climate 

was cooler and wetter; rainwater was 

abundant. Much of the water etching 

occurred then. No glaciers existed 

this far south at these elevations, so 

glaciers were not a factor in making 

the landscape we see today.

by Dar Spearing, Ph.D.

1. Parallel sets of fractures formed in the hard 

monzogranite while it was still underground. 

Water began infiltrating along the cracks.

2. The edges and corners of buried rock blocks 

became rounded as water broke the rock down 

into smaller particles.

3. Erosion carried away the small particles of 

broken-down rock, exposing the rounded rocks 

that had once been beneath the surface.

Joshua Trees, of Course!

Joshua Tree National Park preserves a 

world-renowned, undisturbed population 

of Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia), an 

integral component of the Mojave Desert 

ecosystem.

Transition Between Two Deserts

Outstanding examples of Mojave and 

Colorado Desert landscapes converge 

at Joshua Tree National Park to create 

a biologically rich system of plant and 

animal life characterized by iconic Joshua 

tree woodlands, native palm oases, and 

vast expanses of creosote scrub that are 

uniquely adapted to desert conditions. The 

park also contributes significantly to the 

connectivity of large protected areas across 

the California desert.

Desert Wilderness Close to Major 

Urban Areas

Joshua Tree National Park provides 

accessible and diverse opportunities in 

a remote desert wildland to large and 

burgeoning urban populations.

History and Cultural Traditions

Joshua Tree National Park preserves a 

rich array of prehistoric, historic, and 

contemporary resources that demonstrate 

the integral connection between deserts, 

land use, and human cultures.

What Makes Joshua Tree 

National Park Significant?

Where the Pacific Plate Meets the 

North American Plate

Joshua Tree National Park lies along 

one of the world’s most active tectonic 

boundaries, the San Andreas Fault. 

Geologic processes, including tectonic 

activity, have played and continue to play 

a major role in shaping the mountains, 

valleys, and basins of the park.

Scientific Study

Joshua Tree National Park offers 

unparalleled opportunities for research 

of arid land ecosystems and processes, 

adaptations of and to desert life, 

sustainability, and indications of climate 

change. The proximity of the park to 

urban regions of Southern California and 

Nevada enhances the value of the park for 

scientific research and education.

Bouldered Landscape

Huge, eroded monzogranite boulder 

formations are world-renowned natural 

features that provide unique aesthetic, 

educational, and recreational opportunities 

for Joshua Tree National Park visitors.

Beautiful Scenery

Geologic, climatic, and ecological 

processes create scenic landscapes 

unique to deserts and fundamental to the 

character of Joshua Tree National Park.

It ’s a c o m m o n m is c o n c e p t i o n

that spring is the only time when 

the desert comes to life.

The most spectacular unfurling of 

plant life does indeed occur in spring, 

when the whole desert seems to bloom, 

but wildflowers can surprise visitors 

with splashes of color in summer and 

fall. Life flourishes here all year long. 

Spring blooms are particularly 

vigorous because the park’s annual 

plants—about half of the 730 species 

found here—germinate, bloom, set 

seed, and die, all within a few months. 

Spring is a barometer for the strength 

of the winter’s rains: the wetter the 

winter, the greater the bloom, as seeds 

that have lain dormant are hydrated 

and germinate in the warming sun.

“The spring bloom offers the greatest 

potential for wildflower displays 

because there are over 300 annual 

species, represented by 36 families, that 

can flower in response to winter rain,” 

explains Tasha La Doux, park botanist. 

Most Mojave Desert plants have 

adapted to respond primarily to 

moisture that falls in the winter, 

though many plants only flower 

during summer or fall. These 

disparate and diverse blooming 

calendars are due in part to the park’s 

location: Joshua Tree National Park 

lies at the transition between the 

Mojave and Colorado deserts.

In the eastern portion of the California 

Mojave Desert (including in Joshua 

Tree National Park) much of the 

annual rainfall arrives as summer 

monsoons, similar to the rainfall 

pattern of the Sonoran desert. 

The range of elevations within the park 

also has an intriguing effect: plants 

of the same species may go to seed in 

March at lower elevations, while higher 

up they may still be blooming into May. 

Congruently, plants found at higher 

elevations are likely to have an origin 

in the Mojave Desert, favoring cooler 

temperatures; the inverse is true for 

plants from the Colorado Desert.

Accordingly, there is no one set 

time for flowers to bloom here, 

and no perfect way to predict it. 

So how do you plan your visit if you 

want to see wildflowers? Take a look 

at the spring season Wildflower 

Reports posted at park visitor 

centers and available on the park 

website at go.nps.gov/JTNPflowers.

In each report, park staff highlight 

the most spectacular wildflower 

viewing areas. Visitors can use these 

time-sensitive reports to plan the 

perfect spring wildflower walk.

If you miss the spring bloom, 

though, there’s no need to despair. 

“August and September are also 

great times to get in the desert to 

botanize,” points out La Doux. 

“Not only are there over 100 species 

that will only flower during the 

summer and fall months, it’s a great 

time to experience the insect and 

reptile diversity in the park.”

The diversity of plants in the park 

makes for a spectacular display, but 

identifying flowers can sometimes 

be daunting. To help, park rangers 

and botanists have partnered with 

iNaturalist. Using this free app, 

wildflower viewers may upload a 

photo and location of a bloom and 

request an ID of the flower, or simply 

scroll through existing photos and 

match to the plant in front of them. 

This interactive tool allows park 

staff to provide plant identification 

for visitors, and allows visitors 

to point us to the most vibrant 

blooms. Talk about symbiosis!

For a more guided experience, visitors 

may choose to hike with one of the 

park’s new series of Botanical Trail 

Guides, available at visitor centers 

and on the park website. The guides 

include fascinating facts on the natural 

history of plants found along each trail, 

beautiful photography, and a checklist 

of plants found along that trail.

In the spring, visitors seeking to 

identify annual blooms will be 

delighted when pairing the checklists 

with a field guide to desert wildflowers.

Spring is a lovely and lively season here 

in Joshua Tree National Park. Enjoy the 

sweetly-scented, verdant abundance 

that is a wildflower bloom in the desert. 

by Great Basin Institute Social 

Media Technician Aliya Ingersoll

Fun Facts

• Joshua Tree National Park is named 

after the Joshua tree, an iconic plant 

of the Mojave Desert.

• Joshua trees are not found in every 

part of Joshua Tree National Park, 

nor are they found only in the park. 

They grow throughout much of the 

Mojave Desert. 

• Rangers’ favorite places for viewing 

Joshua trees include Black Rock and 

the Juniper Flats area along the road 

to Keys View. Our Joshua tree forest 

is densest in the northwestern part 

of the park, at elevations of about 

4,000-4,200 feet (1,200-1,280 m) 

above sea level.

• The tallest Joshua tree in the park is 

called the “Barber Pole.” It stands 

about 43 ft (13 m) tall along the park 

road in Queen Valley.

• A Joshua tree may have spiky, 

succulent leaves, but it is not a cactus. 

It is a member of the agave family.

• Climate change threatens Joshua 

trees. Less available water means 

fewer young Joshua trees can grow.

• The inside of a Joshua tree is fibrous 

and has no growth rings. That makes 

it hard to know how old it is! Some 

researchers think a typical lifespan 

for a Joshua tree may be 150 years.

• According to legend, Mormon 

pioneers considered the limbs of 

the Joshua trees to resemble the 

upstretched arms of Joshua leading 

them to the promised land.

• The cover photo for the 1987 U2 

album “The Joshua Tree” was not 

taken in Joshua Tree National Park, 

but closer to Death Valley.

Night Sky Almanac

FEB. 1-20 – ALL FIVE VISIBLE PLANETS 

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and 

Saturn put on a show this month in 

the predawn sky. This is the first time 

since 2005 that all five planets visible 

to the naked eye can be seen at once.

FEB. 8 – NEW MOON 

This is the best time of the month for 

night sky photography and viewing 

the Milky Way and star clusters.

FEB. 22 – FULL MOON

MAR. 8 – NEW MOON; JUPITER 

Our solar system’s largest planet, 

Jupiter, is at its brightest for the year. 

It will be visible all night long.

MAR. 19 – VERNAL EQUINOX

The first day of spring in the Northern 

Hemisphere. Day and night are of 

approximately equal length. Sunrise is 

at 6:50 am PDT, sunset at 6:55 pm PDT.

MAR. 23 – FULL MOON

APR. 7 – NEW MOON

APR. 21 – FULL MOON

APR. 21-22 – LYRID METEOR SHOWER

This meteor shower should produce 

about 20 meteors per hour, but 

the bright light of the full moon 

will make them hard to see.

MAY 6 – NEW MOON; ETA AQUARID 

METEOR SHOWER 

The Earth passes through the dust 

trail left by Halley’s Comet. We 

may see 30 meteors per hour.

MAY 9 – TRANSIT OF MERCURY 

Mercury will pass directly between the 

Earth and the Sun today for the first 

time since 2006. The transit will be in 

progress at sunrise and will continue 

until about 11:40 am. Rangers may 

have solar telescopes set up for this 

rare event, so ask at a visitor center!

MAY 21 – FULL MOON

MAY 22 – MARS AT OPPOSITION

Look for brilliant Mars shining 

steadily all night long. The red 

planet is at its brightest tonight.

starred events are of special note

A plethora of flower shapes and plant families are represented by annual plants that bloom only in spring. Left to right: desert calico (Loeseliastrum matthewsii), Arizona lupine (Lupinus sparsiflorus), white-stem blazingstar (Mentzelia albicaulis), brown-eyed evening primrose (Chylisma claviformis), rosy gilia (Gilia sinuata), Bishop lotus (Acmispon strigosus), lacy phacelia (Phacelia distans), 

and scale bud (Anisocoma acaulis).

Showy pink flowers on a beavertail 

cactus (Opuntia basilaris). 

Joshua about the

Tree

8 Joshua Tree Guide February – May 2016 9
Joshua Tree National Park Association

Park Partner

Be a Part of the Adventure

The Joshua Tree National Park Association has been supporting preservation, scientific research and education 

at Joshua Tree National Park since 1962. As the park’s primary non-profit partner, we operate four visitor center 

bookstores that are often the first stop for visitors from around the world; offer a field institute with classes taught 

by experts in natural sciences, cultural history and the arts; and raise funds for the park though public events and 

our membership program. Join us and make the most of your Joshua Tree experience!

Connect with Nature

Whatever your passion, you’ll learn more about Joshua Tree National Park at our visitor center bookstores. 

Wildflower identification, climbing and hiking guides, birding, geology, stargazing, native plants, and local history 

are just a few of the topics included in our great selection of books. And don’t forget the kids: we have games, 

activity books, everyone’s favorite desert animals and Junior Ranger gear. Start your journey now at our online 

store, www.joshuatree.org/store/

Experience the Great Outdoors

Pick up a trail guide in the bookstore, or sign up for a Desert Institute field class and make the park your classroom. If you don’t see exactly what you’re 

looking for, a custom program will ensure a perfect fit! Classes are not offered in the summer months, but take home a schedule and plan ahead.

Become a Member

Join the Joshua Tree National Park Association and you’ll support park programs and projects while enjoying some great benefits. Our members are a 

committed group of supporters whose contributions each year help the park fulfill its educational, interpretive, and research plans. As a member you’ll 

have the satisfaction of knowing that you are supporting youth programs, scientific research and the park’s historical collections, and you will assist in 

the preservation of our fragile desert environment for generations to come.

 Your annual membership includes these benefits:

• 15% discount on merchandise at Joshua Tree National Park Association bookstores, with reciprocal bookstore discounts 

at many other National Parks

• Keys Views, our JTNPA newsletter, and a monthly e-newsletter update on park events

• Invitations to special events

• $10 discount off every Desert Institute class

Please ask for a membership brochure at one of the Joshua Tree Visitor Centers or call 760-367-5535.

www.joshuatree.org

El Niño in a Time of Historic Drought

Wi t h s t o r i e s o f El Ni ñ o r a i n

making the headlines this winter, 

you may begin to wonder if the 

California drought is almost over. 

After all, heavy rains that cause 

flooding, close highways, and 

impact our outdoor activities must 

counteract the effects of drought, 

right? Well, there is more to the story.

The record drought in California over 

the past four years has set state water 

systems back much further than a single 

good rain season can solve, with longlasting consequences for both people 

and nature. El Niño seasons come and 

go with each decade, but this drought 

is like none California has ever seen. 

“While it is good news that drought 

improvement is predicted for California, 

one season of above-average rain and 

snow is unlikely to remove four years 

of drought,” says Mike Halpert, deputy 

director of NOAA’s Climate Prediction 

Center in Newsweek in October 2015.

Native lifeways acknowledged 

the scarcity of water, and people 

moved with the seasons. Later on, 

life for the first homesteaders in the 

area was difficult due to poor soil 

conditions, lack of natural rainfall, 

extreme winds, heat, and cold. 

While many gave up and left, some 

stayed, and the desert communities 

eventually grew beyond their natural 

means. Humans developed systems 

to change the landscape, and our 

ways of using it, for our benefit. 

Since the early 1950s, the local water 

table in Joshua Tree has dropped an 

average of one foot each year. This is 

caused by taking out more than goes 

in. Water conservation efforts are 

meant to reduce this “over-drafting” 

of our water table as we deal with 

less and less water replenishing the 

aquifer during drought. Recognizing 

this problem, the state of California 

has extended water conservation 

requirements even in the face of a 

potential small, immediate windfall 

of rain. California has a long way to 

go to recover from the drought and 

from the prior years of water use.

It is also important to remember that a 

lot of rain all at once—the kind of rain 

that El Niño can often produce—does 

not mean immediate replenishment 

of the aquifer. Hard-packed or watersaturated ground will cause falling rain 

to run off rather than soaking into the 

parched soil. The resulting flash floods 

impact our human infrastructure, 

but their water will not necessarily 

make it back into the aquifer, as it 

travels quickly along the path of least 

resistance and away from the region.

Deserts, by definition, get scant 

rainfall. Desert residents and 

visitors must adjust their lifestyles 

to accept that rain is rare, and yet 

be prepared for it when it does 

come, as every drop counts!

by Sarah Bone

The National Park Service encourages you 

to do your part to conserve water while 

you visit Joshua Tree and the surrounding 

area. Here are a few simple things you can 

do to make a difference:

• When dining out, only order water if 

you plan to drink it.

• Reuse linens and towels during your 

stay as a guest.

• Take short showers (3-5 minutes) 

instead of lingering under the spray or 

taking a bath.

• Swamp coolers use lots of water. 

Please turn them off when you’re not 

in the room.

• While visiting, if you see what you 

think is a water leak or a wet area 

where none should be, contact the 

local Water District.

Thank you for helping us protect our 

precious water resources.

Tips for Saving Water

Today, all park rangers wear the same 

uniform: gray shirt, green pants, arrowhead emblem on the left sleeve. But for 

the first half-century of the National Park 

Service’s existence, few women worked for 

the agency—and their “uniforms” weren’t 

necessarily very uniform.

Susan Luckie Reilly, seasonal ranger-naturalist at Joshua Tree in the late 1960s, led programs 

such as guided walks. She donated her uniform to the park museum collection (left).

Collections Corner

“Stewardess hat” (JOTR 16936), fitted jacket 

(JOTR 12928), and shawl collar shirt (JOTR 

12139) from the park collection.

When the first female rangers started 

work in 1917 and 1918, there was little 

guidance about the uniform, for men or

for women. The men’s uniform, however, 

was quickly standardized. The women’s 

was not. 

Women working for the parks adapted 

their own uniforms using the materials 

available to them. Some looked like a 

modified military uniform. Most of the 

uniforms were difficult to wear in the field. 

In the 1960s, increasing numbers of 

women in the NPS workforce led the 

agency to ask fashion designers to develop 

a standard uniform for women. The result 

was the “airline hostess” style uniform 

shown at left, a design based on a Delta/

United Airlines pattern that had a fitted 

jacket and shawl collar. Women could 

substitute culottes or slacks made out 

of the same material as the skirt. Later 

versions were accused of looking like fast 

food uniforms. It wasn’t until the late 

1970s that a more unisex uniform style 

was officially adopted.

by Museum Specialist Melanie Spoo 

This feature showcases different items from the park’s museum collection. In honor of the 

National Park Service Centennial in 2016 and Women’s History Month in March, in this issue we 

highlight an example of a woman’s ranger uniform from the 1960s. 

Women of the West

What do you imagine when you hear 

of “The West” or “the American 

Frontier”? Is it wide open spaces? 

A lone cowboy? John Wayne?

Thanks to decades of western books 

and movies, the American West 

has become a place of mythological 

significance—a place where “Go West, 

young man” was advice for those 

seeking to find fortune and prove 

their bravery and independence. In 

other words, “going West” would 

show that you were a man who 

could live up to American values.

So where were the women? There 

are a few female figures that appear 

in this narrative, like Annie Oakley 

of the Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show 

fame. At the time of westward 

expansion —the mid-1800s—there 

were fewer opportunities for women. 

The addition of vast areas to the 

United States through Louisiana 

Purchase and the Treaty of Guadalupe 

Hidalgo opened the way for settlers, 

who felt it was their right to claim 

land. Men often went in advance of 

their wives and families to establish 

a property and income. Women are 

commonly portrayed as having been 

dragged along on these adventures. 

Women’s historical perspectives can 

change this perception. Certainly 

there were those whose stories went 

like this: “Well, the wife got tired of it 

and walked out one night and left the 

country.” (Such is the tale from an oral 

history given by one early settler of the 

area that is now Joshua Tree National 

Park.) However, other women made an 

empowered choice to go to, and stay in, 

the desert. This is demonstrated by two 

prominent women in the park’s history: 

Frances Keys and Elizabeth Campbell.

Frances Mae Lawton grew up in 

Canada and Los Angeles before 

marrying Bill Keys and moving to 

Keys Ranch in the 1920s (part of 

which was a homestead originally 

belonging to Bill’s grandmother!). One 

family friend recalls, “Mrs. Keys was 

a lady. I think she had been raised in a 

rather sheltered life. But she adapted 

herself so well to the life out there....” 

Photos of a young Frances show a 

fashionably-dressed woman who was 

a stenographer for Western Union. 

She could have continued this work, 

but chose the no-frills life of the ranch 

instead. It was demanding, but must 

have suited her as she stayed at the 

ranch into advanced age. She assisted 

with Bill’s mining, washed clothes, 

butchered meat, canned produce, and 

taught the children before a school 

house was built and a woman teacher 

hired. Those who knew her always 

remarked that she took great care of 

her complexion, wearing a bonnet 

outdoors. These were so popular that 

she eventually sold them at a small 

store, her own venture which she 

opened next to the ranch house.

Elizabeth Warder Crozer was born 

into a wealthy family in Pennsylvania, 

where she had a French tutor and 

attended private school. She even went 

to finishing school where young ladies 

were usually trained to enter society, 

while Elizabeth was prepped for 

college. During WWI she served as a 

nurse and cared for William Campbell, 

a soldier who had been exposed to 

mustard gas. Against the wishes of her 

family, the two married and moved 

to the desert for William’s health. 

While in the Twentynine Palms area, 

they both became fascinated with the 

prehistory of the area and dedicated 

the rest of their lives to archeology, 

making significant contributions to the 

field. Elizabeth later wrote a biography 

called Desert Was Home. She relates 

how she first resisted permanently 

relocating to the desert, but that 

ultimately found her vocation there.

These women were not marginalized 

in their own time, but have been 

somewhat covered up by history. The 

National Park Service has responded 

to this larger issue with a women’s 

history initiative called “Telling the 

Whole Story: Women and the Making 

of the United States,” launched in 

2012. Joshua Tree National Park is 

also engaged with the fifteen federallyrecognized tribes with cultural 

affiliation to these lands. Ethnographic 

studies and additional oral histories 

will help to reflect the diversity of 

heritage encompassed by the park. 

by Historic Structures 

Specialist Allison Kennedy

Muriel, Hortense, and Frances 

Lawton (L-R) with Bill Keys, c. 1919.

1916

The National Park Service (NPS) is established.

1918

World War I creates labor shortages that result in 

women being hired temporarily into positions usually occupied by young men. Such is the case for 

Yosemite National Park’s Clare Marie Hodges, the 

first woman ranger in the NPS.

1919

The 19th Amendment gives women the right to 

vote.

1940

Gertrude Cooper becomes Superintendent of 

Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site. She is 

the first woman superintendent in the NPS.

1964

Title VII is made law, prohibiting discrimination by 

employers on the basis of race, color, religion, sex 

or national origin. More NPS jobs become open 

to women.

1978

The NPS female uniform is changed from previous 

versions that “did not look like a ranger,” as they 

were usually dresses or skirts, and had smaller 

badges than male counterparts. To see these, visit 

http://www.nps.gov/shen/learn/historyculture/

women_and_nps.htm

1990

Barbara Booher becomes the first Native American 

woman superintendent in the NPS when she takes 

on the leadership of Custer National Monument.

2001

Fran P. Mainella is appointed as the 16th Director of the National Park Service. Her successor is 

Mary A. Bomar, the only other woman to hold 

the position to date. Also in 2001, Gale Norton 

is appointed as the first woman Secretary of the 

Interior (NPS is an agency of the Department of 

the Interior).

2012

NPS Women’s History Initiative is announced. Find 

out more about how the national park system 

seeks to tell women’s stories at http://www.nps.

gov/history/heritageinitiatives/tellingthewholestory/ 

2016

The NPS Centennial year. Women make up 

about 40% of the total NPS workforce. Joshua 

Tree National Park has yet to be led by a female 

superintendent.

Women in the National Park 

Service: The First 100 Years

10 Joshua Tree Guide February – May 2016 11
The National Park Service turns 100 on August 25, 2016, and you’re 

invited to take part in the celebration! The centennial kicks off a 

second century of stewardship of America’s national parks and 

engaging communities through recreation, conservation, and historic 

preservation programs. Learn more at www.findyourpark.com.

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Joshua Tree National Park

74485 National Park Drive

Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Emergency

Dial 911 or 909-383-5651

12

Ranger Programs

Discover Joshua Tree with free guided 

walks, talks, and evening programs 

given by park rangers and volunteers. 

Learn how humans, wildlife, and 

vegetation have adapted to survive 

in the desert, and how geologic 

forces have shaped this arid land.

Programs start promptly at the 

times noted below, so arrive a few 

minutes early to allow time for 

parking. Children under age 16 

must be accompanied by an adult. 

Programs take place outdoors, but 

may be canceled or moved inside 

during inclement weather or 

if there is a danger of lightning.

Please dress in layers to prepare 

for changing conditions. Wear 

closed-toe shoes to protect your 

feet. Carry plenty of water with 

you. For evening programs, bring 

extra warm layers and a flashlight.

Program Meeting

Location

Duration,

Distance Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat.

Footsteps of the Past February 1 - May 15

Explore how humans have learned to live in harmony with the 

desert. 

Barker Dam parking area 1.5 hours

1 mi (1.6 km) 9:30 am

Joshua Tree Rocks! February 1 - May 15

Examine the geology of this remarkable area. Skull Rock parking area 1-1.5 hours1 mi (1.6 km) 9:30 am 9:30 am

Mastodon Peak Hike February 1 - May 15

Discover the early mining history of the park.

Cottonwood Springs 

parking lot

2 hours

3 mi (4.8 km) 9:00 am

Cottonwood Canyon Walk February 1 - May 15

Explore Cottonwood Canyon on a nature walk.

Mile Marker 33, south of 

the Cottonwood Visitor 

Center; park in roadside 

pullouts

45 minutes

1 mile (1.6 km) 9:00 am

Cholla Garden Chat February 1 - May 15

Drop by for casual conversation with a ranger. Bring your 

questions about the Cholla Cactus Garden and the Pinto Basin.

Cholla Cactus Garden drop-in 9:00 am - 

10:30 am

9:00 am - 

10:30 am

“I Speak for the Trees” Walk February 1 - May 15

Take a walk with a ranger and discover the park’s namesake. Cap Rock Nature Trail 45 minutes0.4 mi (0.6 km) 2:00 pm 9:30 am

Patio Talk February 1 - May 15

Ranger’s choice! Learn about one of many fascinating aspects 

of the park.

Oasis Visitor Center 15-30 min 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am

Joshua Tree Visitor Center 15-30 min 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am

Cottonwood Visitor Center 15-30 min 2:00 pm 2:00 pm 2:00 pm 2:00 pm 2:00 pm 2:00 pm 2:00 pm

Desert Reflections February 1 - May 15

Join a ranger for an interactive discussion about an issue facing 

the park.

Oasis Visitor Center 1 hour 11:00 am 11:00 am 2:00 pm

Oasis Walk February 1 - May 15

Explore the history and ecology of a desert oasis. Oasis Visitor Center 1-1.5 hours0.5 mi (0.8 km) 3:00 pm

Jr. Ranger Discovery Walk February 1 - May 15

Especially for families with children! This short hike will help 

kids on their way to earning a Jr. Ranger badge.

Oasis Visitor Center 1-1.5 hours

0.5 mi (0.8 km) 11:00 am

Keys Ranch Tour February 1 - May 15

Explore the colorful story and numerous artifacts of this 

premier historical site. 

Reservations are required.

Tickets must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance. You 

may purchase tickets by phone at 760-367-5522, or in person 

at the Joshua Tree and Oasis Visitor Centers. 

Adults (12 & up) $10; Senior Pass or Access Pass holders $5; 

children ages 6-11 $5; children under 6 free.

Keys Ranch Gate

1.5 hours

0.5 mi (0.8 km) 10:00 am 2:00 pm 2:00 pm 2:00 pm

Evening Program 

Relax beneath the stars and enjoy a presentation about the 

park’s fascinating natural or cultural history. Check at a visitor 

center for topics.

Jumbo Rocks Campground 

Amphitheater

February 1 - May 15

45 min Feb.-April 

8:00 pm

Feb.-Apr. 

8:00 pm; 

May 9:00 pm

Feb.-Apr. 

8:00 pm; 

May 9:00 pm

Cottonwood Campground 

Amphitheater

February 1 - May 15

45 min

Feb.-Apr. 

8:00 pm; 

May 9:00 pm

Feb.-Apr. 

8:00 pm; 

May 9:00 pm

Black Rock Canyon 

Nature Center 

February 1 - May 15

45 min

Feb.-Apr. 

8:00 pm; 

May 9:00 pm

Feb.-Apr. 

8:00 pm; 

May 9:00 pm

Full Moon Hike see specific dates at right

Explore the park after dark with a ranger.

Reservations are required. Space is limited. 

Carpooling is strongly encouraged. 

Make reservations by calling 760-367-5522.

Meeting time and location 

will be disclosed when you 

make your reservation.

1.5 hours

1 mi (1.6 km) Feb. 22 Mar. 23 Apr. 22 May 21

Special for the Centennial!

Celebrate the 100th birthday of the 

National Park Service with us in 2016:

• Centennial Hiking Challenge.

Pick up a booklet to track the miles 

you hike in the park in 2016. Earn 

stickers as you rack up the miles.

• Every Kid in a Park. Did you 

know 4th graders can get a free 

pass for access to all national park 

sites through the end of the school 

year? Find out how at 

www.everykidinapark.gov

• Hike with the Superintendent.

Once a month, Supt. David Smith will 

lead a strenuous hike to a summit 

such as Monument Mountain, Eagle 

Peak, Queen Mountain, or Quail 

Mountain. Call 760-367-5522 or ask a 

ranger at a visitor center for details.

• Grubstakes Day Parade. This annual 

celebration takes place in the town of 

Yucca Valley on Memorial Day, May 

30. Park Superintendent David Smith 

will be the parade’s Grand Marshal.

Front cover photo: NPS/Stacy Manson