The west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park will be closed to all vehicle traffic beginning 6 a.m. Monday April 7 through 6 p.m. Thursday April 10.
Park Boulevard will be closed to traffic for six miles from the west entrance to Quail Springs
Joshua Tree is home to world-famous rock formations, funky Joshua trees, and a rich diversity of plants, animals, and human history. With stunning desert vistas and seemingly endless days of sunshine, the park attracts over three million visitors per year. There are a variety of activities and sights to experience. We welcome all people and backgrounds to enjoy this magical place.
74485 National Park Drive Twentynine Palms, CA92277-3597
From I-10, take exit 117 for CA Hwy 62 toward 29 Palms/Yucca Valley. This will allow you to access the West Entrance, the North Entrance, Black Rock, and Indian Cove.
Take exit 168 off I-10 to come in at the park's South Entrance.
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.
Days are typically clear with less than 25% humidity. Temperatures are most comfortable in the spring and fall, with an average highs around 85°F (29°C) and average lows around 50°F (10°C) respectively. Winter brings cooler days, around 60°F (15°C), and freezing nights. It occasionally snows at higher elevations. Summers are hot, over 100°F (38°C) during the day and not cooling much below 75°F (24°C) at night.
Located in downtown Joshua Tree just five miles from the West Entrance, the Joshua Tree Visitor Center offers educational exhibits, a bookstore, and visitor resources. Grab a park map, buy an entrance pass, and chat with a park ranger to get all your questions answered before heading into the park!
The parking lot at the visitor center has 2 standard accessible spaces and 40 other spaces. The restrooms have grab bars available in all larger stalls intended for wheelchair users and running water.
Located on Pinto Basin Road, approximately 7 miles north of Interstate 10 (exit 168), the Cottonwood Visitor Center is a convenient stop for those entering and exiting the park from the south. It has educational exhibits, a bookstore, visitor resources, and restroom facilities. You can grab a park map, buy an entrance pass, fill up your water bottle, and chat with a park ranger to get all your questions answered. The flush toilets are currently out of service.
Located in the heart of the beautiful Black Rock Campground, the Nature Center offers a bookstore, art gallery, visitor resources, and a picnic area. Visitors can chat with a park ranger, shop at the bookstore, and observe exhibits in the art gallery. There is also a water-bottle filling station and a restroom with flush toilets.
The Nature Center is open from 8:00-11:00am 12:00-4:00pm. It is closed from 11:00am - 12:00pm. Hours may vary depending on staff availability, especially in the summer.
Every Day:8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Closed for an hour from 11 am to 12 pm each day.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Summer Limited Hours
June 1–August 28
Sunday:8:00 AM–11:00 AM
Monday-Friday:Closed
Saturday:8:00 AM–11:00 AM
The Black Rock Nature Center may have reduced hours during the summer.
The Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center is located in downtown Twentynine Palms and features educational exhibits, a bookstore and giftshop, and visitor information.
Every Day:8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center is located in Twentynine Palms, California.
Public WiFi is not available.
WiFi is provided by Joshua Tree National Park Association at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center, in Joshua Tree and at the Black Rock Nature Center.
There is no cellular access or wifi throughout the majority of the park. Visitors cannot rely on their cell phones and smart devices in the park, and should plan accordingly.
Though beautiful, the desert environment can be harsh and unforgiving. Preparedness is critical for your safety. Please remember the following when planning your trip.
There are no gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, or hotels. Bring all your own food, water, and supplies.
There is no water available in the interior of the park.
Cell phone reception is very limited.
The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You are welcome to drive in and out at any time.
Springtime and holidays are the busiest times of the year and the park can be very crowded.
On hot days, avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day, take shade breaks, and carry plenty of water. In the summertime, extreme heat poses a very serious safety risk.
Help Protect the Park
While the rangers help take care of the park, we rely on visitors to be good stewards and help take care of the place for future generations.
While visiting, leave only footprints and take only pictures. Do not take any plants, rocks, or cultural artifacts with you.
Give the wildlife space, and don’t feed them. Secure your food and trash from animals, and don't leave any garbage or food scraps behind.
Be considerate of others. Share the trail and be conscious of your noise level. Flying drones is prohibited.
To protect your pet and the native wildlife, pets are not allowed on the trail.
Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings in campgrounds. Do not use park vegetation, living or dead, for fuel. When finished, completely extinguish your fire.
Please respect the speed limits. They are lower in National Parks to help protect wildlife, like the federally-threatened desert tortoise.
Graffiti is illegal. Please e-mail us to report incidents of graffiti.
Vehicles, street-legal motorbikes, and bicycles must remain on designated roads. They are not allowed on trails or off designated roads. ATVs, UTVs, OHVs, and dirt/motocross bikes are prohibited.
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, smoke bombs, and slingshots are not allowed.
Current Conditions
Check out our current conditions webpage for information on closures, alerts, air quality, and the weather forecast. You can also see a live view of the park from the summit of Belle Mountain.
Joshua Tree weather can range from blistering hot to freezing cold and can include gale-force winds, heavy rain, and snow. Knowing the forecast is an important part of preparing for your visit. The weather can change swiftly and dramatically, and can vary greatly depending on your exact location within the park. Remember, your safety is your responsibility.
