Joshua Tree National Park
Attraction
4.8 (20282 reviews)
Renowned desert park draws campers & hikers with its geologic wonders & signature Joshua trees.
California
+1 760-367-5500
Did You Know?
Desert Convergence
Joshua Tree National Park is unique because it encompasses two distinct desert ecosystems: the higher, cooler Mojave Desert and the lower, hotter Colorado Desert. This convergence creates an incredibly diverse landscape.
Square Kilometers
The park covers an impressive area of approximately 2,800 square kilometers (about 1,100 square miles), making it larger than the state of Rhode Island.
Joshua Tree Misnomer
The iconic 'Joshua Trees' are not actually trees at all! They are a type of yucca plant, specifically Yucca brevifolia, and are a member of the agave family.
Naming Legend
Legend has it that Mormon pioneers, crossing the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century, named the trees after the biblical figure Joshua, as the tree's outstretched limbs reminded them of Joshua's arms guiding them to the promised land.
Highlights from Reviews
• unique desert landscape
The park offers an 'otherworldly' and 'unreal' desert environment with distinctive Joshua trees and vast, open scenery.
• stunning rock formations
Massive, unique granite boulder formations and rock piles are a major highlight, with many resembling shapes like skulls or animals.
• beautiful sunsets/sunrises
The park is praised for its epic sunsets and sunrises, with skies turning into glowing washes of color over the desert.
• excellent stargazing
Dark skies make Joshua Tree an ideal location for stargazing, with incredible views of the night sky.
• diverse hiking/exploration
The park offers numerous hiking opportunities, from easy trails to rock scrambling, encouraging exploration and imagination.
