Joshua Tree NPS

🌵Cholla Cactus Garden: - The trail is fully closed - Park staff are working to improve conditions and accessibility for visitors - We expect to reopen the trail in late spring! Media by NPS

The Fortynine Palms and Cholla Cactus Garden trails are closed! Here's the details ⬇️ 🌴49 Palms: - Closed on weekdays, and open on weekends - Park staff are repairing parts of the trail damaged by rain earlier in the season - We expect to fully reopen the trail in late spring!

The desert is a cycle of endings and beginnings. Old leaves fall and new ones bloom. Towering rocks that have stood for millions of years are eroded by gentle wind. In the desert, today will never look the same as tomorrow and that is beautiful. 🌱 Happy New Years 🫶

Things are dashing and dancing and prancing at Joshua Tree National Park! Prepare for holiday traffic this upcoming week. Arrive early, have a plan, and be flexible. 🫶🌵 Media by NPS

It’s International Volunteer Day 💞 Thank you for your dedication and heart-felt contribution that has served over 3 million visitors annually. It wouldn’t be the same without you. 🫂 Contact jotr_volunteers@nps.gov to learn about volunteer opportunities. 💌 Media by NPS

↩️Drivers coming from within the park will be able to turn around at Quail Springs Picnic Area. ↪️Drivers coming from outside of the park will be able to turn around at the entrance station--but we don't advise this due to traffic. Head to the north entrance instead!

OPEN: ✅All other park roads ✅Entrance stations in Twentynine Palms and Cottonwood. The north entrance in Twentynine Palms will be the most accessible option for visitors traveling on Highway 62!

🚨West entrance will be closed Wednesday to Friday🚨 Joshua Tree's west entrance will be closed to all traffic from 6am Dec. 3 to 6pm Dec. 5. The project is in its final phase. We're grateful for your patience and excited to welcome visitors to the new entrance soon! NPS Photos

Welcoming cooler, hike-friendly temperatures also means the start of an earlier sunset. Plan to finish your hiking for the day by 5:00pm. The sun sets early with darkness quickly following. ☀️ Photo by NPS Illustration by NPS / Ka'eo Luke

Tarantula mating season runs September to November. Although we are at the end, you still have a chance to cross paths with one of our invertebrates when you visit. Though large, these gentle giants are an important part of our desert ecosystem and insect control. 🕷️💗

For public safety, Black Rock Campground remains closed and evacuated. Visitors should avoid the area and check official updates before traveling. The cause of the fire is under investigation. For the latest information, visit @CAL_FIRE’s incident page: fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025…

Black Rock Fire Update – Safety Notice Firefighters continue to make progress on the Black Rock Fire burning near Black Rock Campground in Joshua Tree National Park. The fire is 80% contained at approximately 72 acres, and crews remain on scene.

Touching cacti is “for the birds!” 🐤🌵 Cactus Wrens have tough feet that allow them to walk on cacti. If you are barbed, cacti are not poisonous, but you should avoid removing spines with bare hands. Instead use duct tape, tweezers, or a hair comb. Media by NPS / Kā’eo Luke

Did you know many birds of prey have a built-in sun visor? A hawk’s supraorbital ridge, or “eyebrow”, shades their eyes while they fly with the sun overhead. This is what gives these birds their “angry” expression! Media by NPS / Kā’eo Luke (Red-tailed Hawk)

Dance into the weekend with the Greater Roadrunner! 🪩🎶 Have you ever seen a Roadrunner shaking its tail? It may look like they’re bobbing to the beat, but these up and down or side-to-side movements are forms of communication! Media 1 by NPS / Kā’eo Luke

Happy World Lizard Day! 🦎😍 Did you know Joshua Tree is home to 19 lizard species? We’ve got lizards of all shapes and sizes all over the park. Wherever you are, you're probably not far from a lizard! Pictured: Chuckwalla, Desert Horned Lizard, Desert Spiny Lizard. NPS Photos.

July and August are the hottest months of the year to visit. Stay safe! 💧 Bring water with you! 📷 Let someone know when you plan to return. 🚗 Consider an auto tour instead! Download the NPS app for offline use for a self-guided tour. Media by NPS / Kā’eo Luke

It’s International Snake Day! 🐍♥ Did you know that there are 26 different types of snakes documented at Joshua Tree National Park? If you see one of our slithering residents, please show them respect by observing from afar. Media by NPS / Kā’eo Luke

It’s a star-spangled night sky for the Fourth of July! Our sky is bedazzled every night with constellations, the moon, and depending on the season, the Milky Way. Remember, fireworks and the desert are NOT a good match. Fireworks, sparklers, and similar items are not permitted.