Safety Guidelines for Your Visit to Joshua Tree National Park
Ouch! Wear sturdy shoes in the desert, and watch where you step.
NPS/Jesmira Bonoan
Welcome to Joshua Tree National Park! We’re thrilled you’re exploring our stunning desert landscapes. Learning about the hazards you may encounter and having a plan can help you avoid common mistakes that can affect your visit and even lead to injury. Use our safety guidelines below to help you plan for your adventure!
If an Emergency Occurs:
Unintentional injuries can occur during outdoor activities, including falls or medical emergencies due to extreme conditions.
Activities: All activities, especially those involving physical exertion like hiking or climbing.
Safety Guidelines:
Make a trip plan: When planning to visit the park, be sure to make a trip plan and leave it with a trusted contact back home. Share the park’s phone number (760-367-5500) on your trip plan.
Pack a first-aid kit: Include essentials like adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and a snake bite kit.
Know basic first aid: Familiarize yourself with basic first-aid procedures, including CPR and treating injuries.
Call 911 if you need: If you experience an injury or a medical event and need assistance, call 911 for emergency services.
Hazard: Desert temperatures can soar, leading to dehydration and heat illnesses. Temperatures can exceed 85°F (38°C) between April and September, with the hottest temperatures occurring in July and August. Some people are at higher risk of experiencing heat-illness.
Activities: Hiking, rock climbing, and outdoor exploring.
Safety Guidelines:
Pick a “cool” activity at the park: Don’t let heat ruin your trip! Pick an activity that reduces your time in high temps. Consider doing a shorter hike, visiting the visitor center, or attending a ranger program to keep you and your travel companions cooler. Check outOasis of Marawhich has covered picnic area and water available.
Stay hydrated: Carry at least a gallon of water per person each day. Keep a refillable water bottle and drink when thirsty. Here is amapof water stations in the park.
Eat salty snacks: You need to take in calories to fuel your body. On a hot day, eating salty snacks can help your body replace electrolytes that are lost through sweating.
Start your activity before 10 am or after 4 pm: Plan your activities during the cooler parts of the day (early morning or late evening).
Watch for heat illness symptoms: Be aware of signs of heat exhaustion, such as dizziness, weakness, or excessive sweating. Take breaks in shaded areas, drink water, and rest frequently. If your symptoms get worse, seek immediate medical attention.
Hazard: Spotty cellular service can lead to getting lost, especially in remote areas of the park. Trails can be unmarked, making navigation difficult without proper tools.
Activities: Hiking and exploring unmarked areas.
Safety Guidelines:
Use maps and GPS: Before you leave cell service, download park maps for offline use using the NPS App. In addition, bring a physical park map and compass as a back up in case your cellphone battery dies.
Stay on marked trails: Remain on designated paths to protect the ecosystem and prevent injury.
Share your trip plan: Always share your intended route and itinerary with someone you trust at home before you head out. They can contact emergency services if you don’t return on time.
Hazard: Uneven terrain, loose rocks, and sudden elevation changes can lead to slips, trips, and falls. Additionally, certain areas may have hidden cactus spines, loose or sharp rocks that can pose injury risks.
Activities: Hiking on rugged trails, scrambling over rocks, and navigating through desert flora.
Safety Guidelines:
Wear proper shoes: Choose sturdy hiking boots with good traction to help navigate uneven surfaces and protect your feet from sharp objects.
Bring tweezers: Carry tweezers in your pack for removing splinters, cactus spines, or thorns promptly.
Stay aware of your surroundings: Watch where you step, especially when managing rocks, roots, and other natural obstacles.
Use trekking poles: Consider using trekking poles for added stability and support on steep or rocky paths.
Hazard: Weather in the park can change quickly, with extreme heat in summer and cold nighttime temperatures. There is also the possibility of monsoons in the summer months, which can bring heavy rain, flooding, lightning, wind, and hail.
Be prepared for the unexpected: Dress in layers to adapt to changing conditions and bring rain gear just in case.
Bring clothing and gear for cooler nighttime temperatures: If staying overnight, ensure you have adequate warm clothing and sleeping gear for cooler nights, especially in fall, winter and spring.
Learn about flash floods: Flash floods can suddenly occur in the park, even when it’s sunny out. Learn more about flash floods, how they can impact your trip and what you can do to avoid the risk of getting caught in a flood:Floods - Joshua Tree National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Hazard: Venomous animals like rattlesnakes, scorpions, and black widows can be found throughout the park. Rattlesnakes are more active in the summer months increasing your likelihood of encountering one.
Activities: Hiking, exploring natural habitats, and navigating through areas with dense vegetation or rocky formations, and camping.
Safety Guidelines:
Stay on trails: Always remain on marked paths to reduce the likelihood of snake encounters and to protect the local ecosystem.
Keep your distance: If you see a rattlesnake, back away slowly and give it space. They are generally not aggressive and will retreat if not threatened. Do not attempt to pick up or kill any wildlife, including snakes.
Be cautious with your hands and feet: Avoid placing hands or feet in holes, under rocks, or through dense vegetation where snakes may rest.
Stay vigilant: Observe your surroundings and be aware of potential wildlife.
IMPORTANT: If you are bitten by a snake, head straight to the nearest hospital. Slowly walk back to your vehicle and keep your heart rate down as much as possible. Cell reception can be spotty, cause delays in reaching 911 and emergency response can take time. It’s better to be on your way to the hospital.
Hazard: Bees are more active in the summer months and will become aggressive if you get close to their hive. Bees are also seeking water to cool their hive and will be attracted to your food and drinks. Areas that typically have a high concentration of bees include campgrounds (particularly Jumbo Rocks), Keys View, and the Cholla Cactus Garden.
Activities: picnicking, hiking, exploring natural habitats, and navigating through areas with dense vegetation, camping.
Safety Guidelines:
Carry your medicine: If you have a bee allergy be sure to bring your medicine. If you are concerned about your allergy, consider scheduling your trip in the winter to avoid bees as they will be less active.
Listen for buzzing: If you can hear buzzing, that means you are close to their hive. Calmly move out of the area.
Don’t swat at the bees: The bees can be aggressive if you swat at them, making it more likely to be stung. Calmly move out of the area.
Protect water and food sources in picnic areas: Be aware that your water and food will attract bees in picnic area. Keep them covered. If you are near your vehicle, consider storing food and water inside your car.
Driving
Hazard: Joshua Tree National Park roads are winding with narrow lanes with soft shoulders designed for leisurely travel and low driving speeds. Speeding, distracted driving, and stopping on the road to view wildlife or take photos can increase your risk of a motor vehicle crash. Some areas of the park are very remote; if your car breaks down, it may take emergency roadside services time to reach you. Watch out for tortoises crossing the road.
Activities: Driving through the park, wildlife viewing, and stopping at scenic overlooks.
Safety Guidelines:
Follow the speed limit: Always obey posted speed limits to safely navigate the narrow lanes and winding roads.
Carry extra water: Keep additional water in your vehicle in case of emergencies or car troubles. If your vehicle becomes disabled, stay with it until help arrives.
Stay alert for wildlife: Scan the road and shoulders to spot wildlife, particularly around dawn and dusk when animals are more active. Slow down in areas where there are tortoise crossing signs.
Use designated pullouts: Always pull into designated areas or parking lots to avoid blocking the travel lane when stopping to view wildlife or take photographs.
Drive on established roads: Always drive on established parked roads. Off-Roading is illegal and strictly prohibited to protect the delicate desert environment.
We can’t wait for you to explore! Safety is a shared responsibility at our park, please do your part by maintaining a safety-first mindset during your visit. Safe travels and enjoy the magic of Joshua Tree National Park!
