Joshua Tree National Park

Fire restrictions

Fees, passes, and hours

Entrance costs $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bicycle, each valid 7 days. An annual pass for Joshua Tree National Park costs $55. Interagency (America the Beautiful) passes are accepted.

Joshua Tree National Park is open year-round.

Source: nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/fees, checked 2026-09-29.

Camping in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park has 9 developed campgrounds. Sites cost $25 to $35 a night. Some campgrounds take reservations and others are first come, first served, up to 180 days in advance. Black Rock, Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks, Ryan, and Sheep Pass take reservations up to 6 months ahead; Belle, Hidden Valley, and White Tank are first-come, first-served at $25/night (as of September 29, 2026). Each site holds up to 6 people and 2 vehicles. No hookups. Camping outside campgrounds is not allowed.

Reserve a campsite

Source: nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/campgrounds, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

Pets are allowed in Joshua Tree National Park. On trails, only Oasis of Mara allows them. They are not allowed in the backcountry.

Source: nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/hiking, checked 2026-09-29.

Getting there

• Limited cell service

Source: nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/directions, checked 2026-09-29.

Trails

• Arch Rock(1.4 mi round trip, easy)Lollipop from Twin Tanks; 0.6 mi spur to a 0.2 mi loop past the arch.
• Barker Dam(1.1 mi loop, easy)Loop past a historic ranch water tank; watch for bighorn sheep.
• Hidden Valley(1 mi loop, easy)Rock-enclosed valley once rumored as a cattle-rustler hideout.
• Skull Rock(1.7 mi loop, easy)Loop through boulder piles and washes to the namesake Skull Rock.
• Keys View(0.25 mi loop, easy)Short steep paved loop with views of the San Andreas Fault and Salton Sea.
• Oasis of Mara(0.5 mi loop, easy)Easy oasis loop at the Oasis Visitor Center; pets on leash allowed.
• Ryan Mountain(3 mi round trip, strenuous)Popular summit hike; about 1,050 ft gain. Do not attempt in heat.
• Lost Horse Mine(4 mi round trip, moderate)Out-and-back to a historic gold millsite; stay outside the fence.
• Mastodon Peak(3 mi loop, moderate)Loop from Cottonwood Spring; optional scramble to a granite peak.
• Fortynine Palms Oasis(3 mi round trip, strenuous)Over a ridge to a fan palm oasis; 300 ft gain each way. Avoid heat.
• Lost Palms Oasis(7.5 mi round trip, strenuous)From Cottonwood Spring to a remote palm oasis; climb out is strenuous.
• Boy Scout Trail(8 mi one way, strenuous)Through the Wonderland of Rocks; vehicle shuttle strongly recommended.

Source: nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/hiking, checked 2026-09-29.

What to see

• OverlookKeys ViewOverlook of Coachella Valley, Mount San Jacinto, and the Salton Sea.
• ArchArch RockNatural rock arch on a short lollipop trail from Twin Tanks.
• HighlightCholla Cactus GardenDense stand of naturally growing cholla on a 0.25 mi loop nature trail.
• SpringOasis of MaraFan palm oasis at Twentynine Palms; long used by wildlife and people.
• HighlightWonderland of RocksMaze of boulder formations crossed by trails such as Boy Scout Trail.

Source: nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/hiking, checked 2026-09-29.

Public lands next to Joshua Tree National Park

• Wilderness areaJoshua Tree Wilderness lies inside Joshua Tree National Park.
• BLM unitJoshua Tree National Park borders Chuckwalla National Monument.
• State parkJoshua Tree National Park borders Indio Hills Palms Prop, a state park.
• Wilderness areaJoshua Tree National Park borders Pinto Mountains Wilderness.
• BLM unitJoshua Tree National Park borders Sand To Snow National Monument.
• BLM unitMojave Trails National Monument is 0.1 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
• Wilderness areaSheephole Valley Wilderness is 0.1 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
• Wilderness areaMecca Hills Wilderness is 1.3 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.