WALK THE ROCKS Joshua Tree National Park gets its namesake from the Mojave Desert’s unique tree-like spiny plants, but no trip to Joshua Tree is complete without exploring some of its incredible rock formations. There are 132 trails in Joshua Tree National Park. With stunning landscapes, scenic vistas, and hundreds of square miles of designated wilderness, Joshua Tree National Park offers outstanding backpacking opportunities. It gives visitors the chance to find solitude, view seldomly seen areas, and experience nature on its own terms. DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL NPS APP FOR DETAILED OFFLINE MAPS TO USE IN THE PARK

Hike Among Giant Boulders on Arch Rock Trail

Millennia of whipping winds and rushing water have served to sculpt some incredible designs throughout the Joshua Tree deserts. One of the most miraculous, the 30-foot-tall Arch Rock, is easily accessible, thanks to a 0.5-mile out-and-back trail starting just outside White Tank Campground and the Twin Tanks parking area. There is no parking for the trail inside the campground.

SAFETY TIP

Tell someone your plan before heading out into the backcountry. There is very little cell phone service if there’s an emergency. When you register for a permit, please provide a detailed itinerary. This will help us located you in the event of an emergency.

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WALK THE ROCKS Joshua Tree National Park gets its namesake from the Mojave Desert’s unique tree-like spiny plants, but no trip to Joshua Tree is complete without exploring some of its incredible rock formations. There are 132 trails in Joshua Tree National Park. With stunning landscapes, scenic vistas, and hundreds of square miles of designated wilderness, Joshua Tree National Park offers outstanding backpacking opportunities. It gives visitors the chance to find solitude, view seldomly seen areas, and experience nature on its own terms. DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL NPS APP FOR DETAILED OFFLINE MAPS TO USE IN THE PARK

Hike Among Giant Boulders on Arch Rock Trail

Millennia of whipping winds and rushing water have served to sculpt some incredible designs throughout the Joshua Tree deserts. One of the most miraculous, the 30-foot-tall Arch Rock, is easily accessible, thanks to a 0.5-mile out-and-back trail starting just outside White Tank Campground and the Twin Tanks parking area. There is no parking for the trail inside the campground.

SAFETY TIP

Tell someone your plan before heading out into the backcountry. There is very little cell phone service if there’s an emergency. When you register for a permit, please provide a detailed itinerary. This will help us located you in the event of an emergency.

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Find Your Path

There are eight campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park, as well as three group camps. Most are primitive campgrounds with pit toilets and no water. None have RV hookups. Camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds. Get your park pass online before you go. https://www.recreation.gov/

hikes & trAILS

FUN FACT

This is the Transition Zone. In this ecological melting pot, two great deserts, the Mojave and Colorado, blend together in a vibrant landscape featuring plants and animals representative of both

indian cove

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Hidden Valley Trail Arch Rock Skull Rock Ryan Mountain

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Indian Cove Cottonwood Black Rock Cap Rock

quail springs jumbo rocks

black rock

belle

hiddin valley ryan mtn

arch rock

PINTO BASIN RANGER STATION

hexie mountains

CAMPGROUND DRINKING WATER PICNIC AREA MEDICAL FACILITY HIKING TRAIL 4-WHEEL DRIVE ROAD

cottonwood

cottonwood mountains 4

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Find Your Path

There are eight campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park, as well as three group camps. Most are primitive campgrounds with pit toilets and no water. None have RV hookups. Camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds. Get your park pass online before you go. https://www.recreation.gov/

hikes & trAILS

FUN FACT

This is the Transition Zone. In this ecological melting pot, two great deserts, the Mojave and Colorado, blend together in a vibrant landscape featuring plants and animals representative of both

indian cove

• • • •

Hidden Valley Trail Arch Rock Skull Rock Ryan Mountain

• • • •

Indian Cove Cottonwood Black Rock Cap Rock

quail springs jumbo rocks

black rock

belle

hiddin valley ryan mtn

arch rock

PINTO BASIN RANGER STATION

hexie mountains

CAMPGROUND DRINKING WATER PICNIC AREA MEDICAL FACILITY HIKING TRAIL 4-WHEEL DRIVE ROAD

cottonwood

cottonwood mountains 4

5

A Star Gazers Paradise The night sky is a glittering dome peppered with stars, planets, and passing meteors—but most people no longer get to see it. In urban and suburban settings, artificial lighting and atmospheric pollutants wash out the light of the stars. This is a serious loss. For millennia, our ancestors experienced a dark night sky. Cultures around the world told stories about the constellations and used the stars as a calendar. Only for the past few generations have humans been denied the chance to stand in awe of the heavens. Boasting some of the darkest nights in Southern California, Joshua Tree National Park offers many visitors the chance to admire the Milky Way for the first time in their lives. Pitch a tent, roast some marshmallows, and spend the night under the stars in one of Joshua Tree’s eight campgrounds. Cottonwood Campground has the darkest skies.

TIPS FOR STAR GAZING •

Use Red Lights Only - Do not use bright white flashlights, headlamps, or cell phones. It takes 20-30 minutes for the human eye to fully adjust to very low light conditions. Bright lights delay this process. You can turn a regular flashlight into a red light by covering it with red cellophane, tape, fabric, paper, or similar materials.

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Bring Food and Water - Plan ahead. There is no running water in most areas of the park.

•

Layer Up - Temperatures drop quickly in the evening. Bring extra layers of warm clothing.

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Bring a Chair - You may be on your feet and looking up for long periods of time. A lightweight folding chair will help keep each person in your group comfortable and reduce strain. Do no trample vegetation and be aware of cacti in your area.

•

Watch Your Step - Cacti, nocturnal animals, and uneven surfaces may be difficult to see at night. Use a red light to check your viewing are for hazards.

•

Avoid the Moon - Bright moonlight reduces the number of stars you’ll see. Check the moon’s phase and rise and set times to find the best time to stargaze.

FUN FACT

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places to stargaze in the US—maybe in the world! The reason it’s so dark is because the park is located in the High Desert—3000-6000 feet above sea level—far from any major cities, which create light pollution

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A Star Gazers Paradise The night sky is a glittering dome peppered with stars, planets, and passing meteors—but most people no longer get to see it. In urban and suburban settings, artificial lighting and atmospheric pollutants wash out the light of the stars. This is a serious loss. For millennia, our ancestors experienced a dark night sky. Cultures around the world told stories about the constellations and used the stars as a calendar. Only for the past few generations have humans been denied the chance to stand in awe of the heavens. Boasting some of the darkest nights in Southern California, Joshua Tree National Park offers many visitors the chance to admire the Milky Way for the first time in their lives. Pitch a tent, roast some marshmallows, and spend the night under the stars in one of Joshua Tree’s eight campgrounds. Cottonwood Campground has the darkest skies.

TIPS FOR STAR GAZING •

Use Red Lights Only - Do not use bright white flashlights, headlamps, or cell phones. It takes 20-30 minutes for the human eye to fully adjust to very low light conditions. Bright lights delay this process. You can turn a regular flashlight into a red light by covering it with red cellophane, tape, fabric, paper, or similar materials.

•

Bring Food and Water - Plan ahead. There is no running water in most areas of the park.

•

Layer Up - Temperatures drop quickly in the evening. Bring extra layers of warm clothing.

•

Bring a Chair - You may be on your feet and looking up for long periods of time. A lightweight folding chair will help keep each person in your group comfortable and reduce strain. Do no trample vegetation and be aware of cacti in your area.

•

Watch Your Step - Cacti, nocturnal animals, and uneven surfaces may be difficult to see at night. Use a red light to check your viewing are for hazards.

•

Avoid the Moon - Bright moonlight reduces the number of stars you’ll see. Check the moon’s phase and rise and set times to find the best time to stargaze.

FUN FACT

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places to stargaze in the US—maybe in the world! The reason it’s so dark is because the park is located in the High Desert—3000-6000 feet above sea level—far from any major cities, which create light pollution

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TOUCH A TREE Joshua Tree National Park

@JoshuaTreeNPS www.nps.gov/jotr