Please share your Joshua Tree NP – Palm Springs wildflowers pictures, including the date and location. We will post your photos on our Wildflower Reports page, so others can learn where and when to view the spectacular displays.
- E-mail your digital photos and reports to Jim@desertusa.com. Use Wildflower Report as the subject of your e-mail. Let us know where you took the image, the date, and how you would like us to give you photo credit (first name, etc.)
Note: Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year in the desert, but it can also be a time for caution. Rattlesnakes lie dormant during the cold fall and winter months and awaken from hibernation in the warm months of March and April. Another reason to stay on the trails. More…
2026 Joshua Tree NP and Coachella Valley Region reports
Jan 22, 2026 Teri Reports: Yellow Nightshade – Joshua Tree National Park (in the wash along Mastodon Trail) January 18, 2026 – Canterbury Bell – Joshua Tree National Park (in the wash along the Mastodon Trail) January 18, 2026
Jan 15, 2026 Sharin Reports: I lead guided walks in Desert View Conservation Area and wanted to let you know about the flowers I’m seeing. I’m seeing a healthy amount of Lacy Phacelia and Desert Blue Bells. Little Yellow Sun Cups are starting to come up. All of chinchweed from the first rains in October are gone. Amaranth is wavering. I’ll try to get photos next time I’m out. I have not sees JT or Mojave Yucca flowers there yet. However, I live in Flamingo Heights on Flat Top Mesa and JTs are starting to flower in my neighborhood.
Jan 12, 2026 Pat Reports: Joshua Tree were pushing blooms in Joshua Tree NP
Jan 10, 2026 Pat Reports: These photos were taken in Cottonwood Canyon on Tuesday, January 6
Jan 04, 2026 The desert interior of Joshua Tree has also received measurable rain from the recent systems, improving soil moisture beyond what we saw earlier in the season.
Jan 1, 2026 Eric Reports: Chuparosa, Justicia Californica, has lots of leaves and flowers on the Bear Creek and Boo Hoff Loop Trail in La Quinta Cove.
2025 Joshua Tree NP and Coachella Valley Region reports
Dec 6, 2025 Kris Reports: The attached photos are from November 28, 2025, in a canyon between the park entrance and the Cottonwood visitor center at Joshua Tree National Park. Surprising how many plants were blooming considering the time of year.
Nov 23, 2025 DUSA Reports: Joshua Tree saw significant rainfall, with many areas receiving over an inch during November’s storm system. Flood watches were issued across the region—strong confirmation that widespread, measurable rain reached the park’s mid-elevation terrain.
Compared to last year: Far better start. In 2025 the park stayed bone-dry through early winter; this year’s early rains raise the chances of a solid mid-elevation bloom if storms continue.
April 6, 2025, DUSA Reports: There are a few cactus blooming in Joshua tree now, the wildflowers are still almost nonexistent.
March 27, 2025, Kate Reports: I found these wildflowers when I visited Joshua Tree National Park on March 26th and March 27th. I have not been able to identify them. Would you happen to know what they are? They are a little spent but lovely. Thanks! Anyone know what these are?
March 13, 2025, Donald Reports: It began raining before 7 am and is expected to rain until 7 pm in Palm Springs. 0.55 inches of rain expected through the next 7 hours and 0.66 inches of rain in 24 hours.
March 12, 2025, Donald Reports: It began raining at 7:15 am 3/11/25 and is expected to rain all day in Palm Springs. 0.10 inches of rain expected through 2:30 pm. More rain expected.
February 24, 2025, Donald Reports: Welcome first signs of spring in the Coachella Valley, Desert Marigold, Brittlebush, and Sonoran Sandmat blooms along CA-62 just outside of Desert Hot Springs, February 21, 2025.
Feb 15, 2025, DUSA Reports: There was some rain in the Joshua Tree Park and Palm Springs area, but not much in bloom today, usually blooms later in March.
February 13, 2025, Donald Reports: It will rain all day and tomorrow in the San Gorgonio Pass. It rained slowly and steadily all day today in Palm Springs.
January 27, 2025, DesertUSA reports: Due to the winter storm, Hole in the Wall Visitor Center is closed today, 1/27/25
January 1, 2025, DesertUSA reports: No reports yet from Joshua Tree NP – Palm Springs. Updates will be shared here as soon as new reports come in. Stay tuned for the latest bloom news, and don’t forget to bookmark this page for easy access to timely updates!
2024 Reports
April 24, 2024 Tess Reports: We stopped at various places from 29 Palms headed toward cottonwood. Our first stop was on Park blvd about halfway between the park entrance and Pinto basin Road. Lots of dandelion and poppies very beautiful. The Beaver tale and hedgehog cactus were also putting on a good show. Chia, bigelow tickseed phacelia, tansy mustard and more.
Further down the road, the globe mallow lined the roads and was lovely.
Closer to cottonwood, the cholla and ocotillo were in full glory with the cholla looking like it’s about halfway through. The desert lavender smelled heavenly.
Towards cottonwood, we saw Canterbury bells and a few chuparosa. We saw a striking display of white-lined moth larvae – huge caterpillars chomping in Arizona lupine, then skittering down the denuded stems, off to the next. They were everywhere. We watched for a long time. That was at the Bajada nature trail.
Photos tips: Most digital point-and-shoot cameras have a macro function – usually symbolized by the icon of a little flower. When you turn on that function, you allow your camera to get closer to the subject, looking into a flower for example. Or getting up close and personal with a bug. More on desert photography.
Mojave Desert Wildflowers – This book is the standard by which all other wildflower books are measured. The author, Jon Mark Stewart, has combined super photography with concise information. This book has an entire color page for each wildflower covered, with a discussion of the wildflower. 210 pages with 200 color photos. More…
Other DesertUSA Resources
Wildflower Information & Hotlines