Joshua Tree National Park

Introducing Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park straddles the transition zone between the Colorado Desert and the higher, cooler Mojave Desert, where distinctive Joshua trees, so named by Mormon settlers who saw the branches as reaching up toward heaven, grow. In spring some trees bloom dramatically with a profusion of creamy-white blossoms. Every child of the ‘80s already knows what these strange trees look like, thanks to Irish rockers U2, who stayed here while they worked on their masterpiece.

The park’s wonderfully shaped rocky outcroppings draw world-class climbers, who know ‘J-Tree’ as the best place to climb in California. Backpackers are less enthusiastic, as there is no natural water flow, but day hikers and campers enjoy the chance to scramble up, down and around the giant boulders and palm oases, while mountain-bikers are hypnotized by desert vistas as seen from dirt 4WD roads.

Summer temperatures climb above 100°F, while the average daytime highs in winter hover above 60°F, which is the same as the overnight low in summer. AT higher elevations, such as Keys Point (5185ft), it can be over 10° cooler year-round and receive more precipitation, even snow. Wildflowers bloom at varying elevations between February and May.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009