Joshua Tree National Park
Experience the unique desert landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park, where rugged mountains meet iconic Joshua trees under star-studded skies.
Joshua Tree National Park is a striking desert landscape where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet. Known for its iconic Joshua trees and surreal rock formations, the park is a favorite among climbers, stargazers, and artists.
Location
Located in southern California, the park is near the cities of Palm Springs and Twentynine Palms.
Quick Facts
Size: 1,235 square miles (790,636 acres)
Year Established: 1994
Unique Features: Joshua trees, Skull Rock, and some of the best stargazing in the U.S.
Explore unique desert landscapes, climb world-class rock formations, and marvel at the star-filled night skies. The park’s blend of natural beauty and recreation opportunities makes it a must-see destination.
Joshua Tree National Park is home to one of the most fascinating desert ecosystems in North America, where two distinct deserts—the Mojave and the Colorado—meet. The higher elevation Mojave Desert is where the iconic Joshua trees thrive, while the lower elevation Colorado Desert features vast expanses of creosote bushes, cacti, and ocotillos. This unique convergence creates a stunning variety of landscapes, from rugged rock formations to sweeping desert plains, making the park a haven for hikers, climbers, and nature lovers. The contrast between these two ecosystems supports an impressive diversity of plant and animal life, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.