Joshua Tree is a spectacular National Park in Southern California known for its unique Joshua Trees and the collision of two distinct desert ecosystems. This park has everything from vehicle-sized boulders and rugged mountains to narrow slot canyons and seas of twisted trees.
Before visiting Joshua Tree National Park, there are some things you should know. From park entrances and dog rules to water availability and temperatures, here are seven key things to know before visiting Joshua Tree National Park.
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JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK AT A GLANCE
Before diving in, here are a few highlights for planning a trip to Joshua Tree National Park.
- Getting There: The closest major airport to Joshua Tree is Los Angeles International. Find affordable flights here.
- Entrance Fee: $30/vehicle or FREE with an America the Beautiful Pass
- Where to Stay: Camp in the park or stay right outside the park in the town of Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms.
- How to Get Around: You’ll need to rent a personal vehicle to get around Joshua Tree.
- Best Time to Visit: October – May
- How Long to Visit: 3-5 days (Here’s what to do if you only have 1 day)
7 Key Things to Know Before Visiting Joshua Tree
1. The park is always open.
Joshua Tree National Park is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year. The gates never close, so you can enter and exit as much as you want.
Since Joshua Tree is an International Dark Sky Park, this is a popular place to stargaze. With the gates open 24/7, you can enter the park to gaze at the night skies, even if you aren’t staying overnight in Joshua Tree. Just remember: don’t fall asleep while stargazing. Sleeping is only allowed in designated campsites.
2. You could be asked to show your pass on the way out.
If you’re entering the park in the off-season and/or extremely early or late, it’s possible that the entrance stations could be unmanned. However, this doesn’t mean that you can get in for free. You still have to purchase a pass at one of the visitor centers before you leave.
When you leave, you could be asked to show your pass. So if you didn’t pay for a pass beforehand, you’ll have to pay for it as you leave.
Save yourself the hassle and get an America the Beautiful park pass before your trip! It’s worth the $80, especially if you are visiting many other National Parks in the same year. It’ll pay for itself after 3 National Park visits!
READ NEXT: America the Beautiful Pass: What It Is + Why You Need It
3. Most of the visitor centers are outside of the park.
There are four visitor centers in Joshua Tree, most of which are located outside the park.
The Cottonwood Visitor Center is the only visitor center located inside the park. This visitor center is about 5 miles from the park’s southern entrance on Pinto Basin Road. You can get maps and souvenirs, use the restroom, and fill your water bottle.
The Joshua Tree Visitor Center is located in downtown Joshua Tree at 6554 Park Boulevard. It is 5 miles from the West Entrance of the park. You can get maps and souvenirs here, but if you want to fill up your water bottle, you’ll have to do so in the restroom sinks.
The Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center is in downtown Twentynine Palms at 6533 Freedom Way. It is 5 miles from the North Entrance of the park. You can get maps and souvenirs, use the restroom, and fill your water bottles at the filling station.
The Black Rock Nature Center is a smaller visitor center located in the Black Rock Campground in Yucca Valley at 9800 Black Rock Canyon Road. It is about 12 miles from the West Entrance of the park. You can get maps and souvenirs, use the restroom, dump your RV/boat sewage, have lunch at one of the picnic tables, and fill your water bottles at the filling station.
4. This is not a very dog-friendly park.
Pets are not allowed on hiking trails, in the backcountry, or inside park buildings. Pets must remain on a leash and within 100 feet of roads, parking areas, and campgrounds.
Always pick up after your pet, too!
If you do bring your pet to Joshua Tree, here are some things you can do with him/her:
- Hike the paved Oasis of Mara Trail
- Hike the paved Keys View Trail
- Have lunch at the picnic areas
- Camp at the campgrounds
- Walk on the unpaved roads
Even though Joshua Tree isn’t very dog-friendly, many National Parks are! Check out my 13 Most Dog-Friendly National Parks in the USA blog post to find out which ones are!
5. Potable water is limited to the perimeter/outskirts of the park.
Water is only available on the perimeter/outskirts of the park; there is no potable water in the park’s center. Make sure you enter the park prepared with plenty of water in your car and/or your backpack.
There are a few water bottle fill stations on the outskirts of the park: Black Rock Nature Center, the West Entrance Station, and the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center.
Water jugs can be filled at the West Entrance Station, Indian Cove Ranger Station, Black Rock and Cottonwood campgrounds, and at Park Headquarters (in the Northeast section of the parking lot).
RV fill stations are located at Black Rock Campground (near campsite 6) and Cottonwood (between the visitor center and campground).
6. There are no restaurants, gas stations, or hotels/lodges in the park.
There are no restaurants in the park. You may be able to purchase a snack at one of the visitor centers (remember: there’s only one inside the park boundaries), but I’d recommend bringing your own food into Joshua Tree.
There are no gas stations in the park. Fuel up before you come into the park! It is a 1 hour 30 minute drive from the South Entrance (Cottonwood) to the West Entrance (Joshua Tree). There is a 1-hour drive between the North (Twentynine Palms) and South Entrances. And finally, there is a 45-minute drive from the West to the North Entrance.
There are no hotels or lodges inside the park. Camping is the only option for overnight stays in Joshua Tree. If you’re interested in staying just outside the park, there are plenty of accommodations in Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms.
7. Temperatures change drastically throughout the day.
Joshua Tree is in the Mojave Desert, so temperatures will be variable. Nighttime temperatures could be cool (even in the summer), and daytime temperatures could get very hot (especially in the summer).
Be prepared for all types of weather by packing layers. You’ll probably be shedding them throughout the day, but you’ll be glad you have them when the sun goes down.
Make sure to read my Desert Hiking Tips before hiking in Joshua Tree!
Finish Planning Your Trip to Joshua Tree
Here are some more Joshua Tree National Park guides on the blog right now!
- 5 Best Hikes in Joshua Tree
- Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree: Ultimate Guide
- The Secret to Finding the Chasm of Doom in Joshua Tree
- One Day in Joshua Tree NP: Perfect 1 Day Itinerary
- A Full Guide to the Best Joshua Tree Climbing Guides
- Add These 2 Joshua Tree Sunrise Spots to Your List
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