18 places with verified coordinates · 17 with photo
Sightseeing tour · from Palm Springs, Palm Desert or Yucca Valley · Viator
From Palm Springs, Palm Desert or Yucca Valley: sightseeing tour of the park ↗Palm Desert, Palm Springs Art Museum (main entrance) or Yucca Valley Welcome Center, the one closest to the park.
Private tour · 4 hours · GetYourGuide
Ultimate Joshua Tree National Park Private Group Adventure ↗Pick-up in Palm Springs and the surrounding area.
Viator
Beginner Group Rock Climbing in Joshua Tree National Park ↗Car park of the Joshua Tree National Park visitor centre; the guide can be recognised by the uniform and a Mojave Guides magnet on the vehicle.
Viator
From Palm Desert: off-road tour on Geology Tour Road ↗Big Wheel Tours shop in Palm Desert; parking in front of the building, toilets available.
Ranger programme · free · Joshua Tree park authority (National Park Service)
Ranger evening and night-sky programmes ↗Changing locations in the park; the meeting point is listed with each date in the park's calendar.
Ranger tour · Keys Ranch · Joshua Tree park authority (National Park Service)
Guided tour of Keys Desert Queen Ranch ↗Start on the mapAd · partner links: we may earn a commission if you book. Offer details checked 29 Sep 2026; dates and prices with the provider.
Black Rock Nature CenterNature centre in the north-west
Cottonwood Visitor CenterVisitor centre in the south
Joshua Tree National Park Visitor CenterMain visitor centre in Twentynine Palms
Joshua Tree Visitor CenterVisitor centre in the town of Joshua Tree
North Entrance StationNorth entrance
South Entrance Park SignSouth entrance on I-10Arrival · Main west entrance
The busiest entrance, eight kilometres (5 mi) south of the junction of Highway 62 and Park Boulevard in the town of Joshua Tree. Card payment only. One of the park's three water filling stations is here too.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
34.08997, -116.25899
Arrival · North entrance
In Twentynine Palms, five kilometres (3 mi) south of the junction of Highway 62 and Utah Trail. Card payment only here as well. This is the shortest way to the park's main visitor centre.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
34.07712, -116.03658
Arrival · South entrance on I-10
The access road from Interstate 10, 40 km (25 mi) east of Indio. There is no staffed fee booth here; you pay further north at the Cottonwood Visitor Center.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
33.67557, -115.80154
Arrival · Visitor centre in the town of Joshua Tree
At 6554 Park Boulevard in the town of Joshua Tree, before the west entrance. Open 7:30 to 17:00, with a bookshop, café and toilets. The earliest-opening visitor centre of the park.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
34.13391, -116.31559
Arrival · Main visitor centre in Twentynine Palms
6533 Freedom Way in Twentynine Palms, before the north entrance. Open 8:00 to 17:00, with an exhibition, a water filling station and EV chargers.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
34.13485, -116.05685
Arrival · Visitor centre in the south
On Pinto Basin Road, about eleven kilometres (7 mi) north of Interstate 10. Open 8:30 to 16:00. If you come in through the south entrance, this is where you buy your ticket.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
33.74860, -115.82396
Arrival · Nature centre in the north-west
On Black Rock Canyon Road in Yucca Valley, next to the campground of the same name. Open 8:00 to 16:00 with a one-hour lunch break; from June to the end of August only Thursday to Sunday, 9:00 to 16:00.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
34.07332, -116.39068
Viewpoint · Viewpoint over the Coachella Valley
The end of Keys View Road, about 30 minutes' drive from Park Boulevard. A steep paved path 400 m (1,300 ft) long leads to a view of the San Andreas Fault, Mount San Jacinto, Mount San Gorgonio and the Salton Sea.
The widest view in the park, and the most honest one about the air in the Coachella Valley.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
33.92658, -116.18764
Water · Ranchers' water tank
A loop trail 1.8 km (1.1 mi) long to a reservoir built by early cattle ranchers. One of the few places in the park where bighorn sheep appear.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
34.03089, -116.14633
Mountains & rock · Rock formation on Park Boulevard
The park's best-known rock sits right beside the road east of Jumbo Rocks Campground. A loop trail 2.7 km (1.7 mi) long connects it with the surrounding boulders.
The park's best-known rock sits right by the road; the loop trail leads behind it.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
33.99776, -116.05941
Nature · Cactus field in the Pinto Basin
A 400-metre (0.25 mi) loop through thousands of densely packed teddybear cholla on Pinto Basin Road. Stay on the trail and wear closed shoes: the spines detach at the slightest touch.
A dense field of teddybear cholla where the park turns into the Colorado Desert.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
33.92472, -115.92944
Mountains & rock · Natural rock arch
A granite arch off Pinto Basin Road, reached by a trail 2.1 km (1.3 mi) long from the Twin Tanks parking area. The arch is halfway around the small loop.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
33.98619, -116.01553
Trails · Summit trail in the centre of the park
The park's most popular summit trail: 4.8 km (3 mi) return, 320 m (1,050 ft) of ascent, one and a half to two and a half hours. The trailhead parking lies between Sheep Pass and Ryan Campground.
The summit trail in the centre of the park: short, steep and with a panoramic view over the Mojave part.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
33.98612, -116.13473
History · Historic ranch
The Keys family's preserved ranch with house, store, school and workshop. Access only on a guided tour run by the park.
The Keys family ranch still stands, complete with store, school and workshop, and can only be visited on a guided tour.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
34.04619, -116.16947
Water · Palm oasis above Twentynine Palms
A Washingtonia fan palm oasis in a rocky canyon, reached by a 4.8 km (3 mi) return hike with 91 m (300 ft) of ascent. Closed in summer so bighorn sheep can reach the water undisturbed.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
34.10604, -116.10498
Water · Spring with fan palms
One and a half kilometres (1 mi) east of the Cottonwood Visitor Center. A ten-minute walk leads to fan palms and cottonwoods: one of the best places in the park for birdwatching, and one of the few with shade.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
33.73667, -115.80986
Water · Oasis at the main visitor centre
An 800-metre (0.5 mi) loop right next to the visitor centre in Twentynine Palms, where dogs on a lead are allowed. Beyond the oasis the trail is closed after a flood.
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗Location source ↗
34.12867, -116.04246
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