Joshua Tree National Park
Climate - Geography - Maps
Overview - Description - Things To Do - Maps - Where to Stay - Nearby - Videos
Joshua Tree National Park is located at the eastern end of Southern California's transverse mountain ranges. It comprises approximately 794,000 acres, 600,000 of which is a wilderness area, running 60 miles east-to-west and 30 miles north-to-south.
It is bordered by five mountain ranges: the Coxcomb Mountains to the east, the Eagle and Cottonwood Mountains on the south, the Little San Bernardino Mountains on the west, and the Pinto Mountains to the north. Elevations range from 5,500 feet on the summits of Queen Mountain and the Little San Bernardinos, to about 1,000 feet at the east end of Pinto Basin.
- There are three park entrance stations:
The west entrance is located five miles south of the junction of Highway 62 and Park Boulevard at Joshua Tree Village.
- The north entrance is in Twentynine Palms, three miles south of the junction of Highway 62 and Utah Trail.
- The south entrance at Cottonwood Spring, which lies 25 miles east of Indio, can be approached from the east or west, also via Interstate 10.
Map - Joshua Tree National Park- PDF file
Climate
The climate of the high desert of Joshua Tree National Park is that of a mid-latitude desert with relatively moderate temperatures. Temperatures average 7 to 10 degrees cooler at higher mountain elevations in the park which acquire 3.5 inches more rain annually.
Month |
Avg. Max. Temp. |
Avg. Min. Temp. |
Avg. Precipitation |
January |
62.8 |
31.5 |
0.38" |
February |
67.6 |
38.2 |
0.35" |
March |
74.8 |
42.9 |
0.30" |
April |
83.1 |
50.1 |
0.10" |
May |
90.3 |
55.9 |
0.06" |
June |
100.6 |
64.8 |
0.02" |
July |
105.2 |
70.6 |
0.62" |
August |
103.0 |
69.5 |
0.68" |
September |
96.4 |
62.4 |
0.31" |
October |
85.7 |
52.6 |
0.32" |
November |
71.5 |
41.4 |
0.27" |
December |
62.3 |
31.6 |
0.46" |
Getting There
Joshua Tree National Park is located 140 miles east of Los Angeles, California.
BY AUTO
Approach it from the west via Interstate 10 and Highway 62 (29 Palms Highway). The north entrances to the park are located at Joshua Tree Village and in the city of Twentynine Palms. From the south, enter the park off I-10 on Cottonwood Springs Road, 25 miles west of Indio.
TRANSPORTATION
By Train
The nearest Amtrak station is at Indio, California, 25 miles west on Interstate 10.
By Bus
Commerical bus service is available to Twentynine Palms.
By Air
Los Angeles International Airport, 140 miles west, has local air service to Palm Springs with car rentals, 46 miles west.
Overview - Description - Things To Do - Maps - Where to Stay - Nearby - Videos
Joshua Tree National Park
74485 National Park Drive
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
760-367-5500
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Joshua Tree National Park - Black Eagle Mine Road Video - Beginning 6.5 miles north of the Cottonwood Visitor Center, this dead-end dirt road runs along the edge of Pinto Basin, crosses several dry washes, and then winds up through canyons in the Eagle Mountains. The first 9 + miles of the road are within the park boundary. Beyond that point is BLM land. Several old mines are located near this road.
Death Valley - Scotty's Castle Video
Find out how Scotty's Castle came to be, when Albert Johnson met Walter Scott, later known as Death Valley Scotty. Take a tour of the magnificent rooms and see the castle's fantastic furnishings. Hear the organ in the music room as you experience this place of legend first-hand.
Death Valley - Titus Canyon Video
As Titus Canyon Road in Death Valley reaches the foothills, it starts to climb and meander among the sagebrush and red rock outcroppings. The road becomes steeper and narrower as it approaches Red Pass, amply named for its red rocks and dirt. Enjoy the ride!
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