Joshua Tree National Park — Visitor Info

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Joshua Tree National Park sits where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, known for its namesake trees, giant boulder formations, and dark night skies. Here's what to know before you go.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: Summer temperatures regularly top 100°F, cell service is unreliable through much of the park, and campgrounds fill fast on fall–spring weekends. Always check the official Joshua Tree Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Southern California, between the Mojave and Colorado deserts
Entrance Fee
$30/vehicle (7 days)
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No
Permit Needed For
Overnight backcountry camping (free self-registration); Keys Ranch tours
Lodging
None in-park — camping only, or stay in nearby towns (Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley)
Managed By
National Park Service

Visitor Centers

Four visitor centers/nature centers serve the park — tap one for official hours & facility info.

Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center
In downtown Twentynine Palms, near the North Entrance. Bookstore, water bottle filling station, EV charging.
Joshua Tree Visitor Center
In downtown Joshua Tree, near the West Entrance. Bookstore and cafe on-site.
Cottonwood Visitor Center
On Pinto Basin Road, about 7 miles north of I-10, near the South Entrance.
Black Rock Nature Center
At Black Rock Campground, near Yucca Valley. Reduced days in summer.

Hours vary seasonally — confirm current hours on the official NPS visitor centers page before you go.

Entrance Fees & Passes

The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle (motorcycle $25, per person on foot/bike $15), valid for 7 days. A Joshua Tree Annual Pass is $55. Passes can be bought with cash or card at any visitor center, but the North and West Entrance Stations are credit/debit only. Passes are also available online in advance — print them or save them to your phone, since cell service inside the park is unreliable. No vehicle reservation is required to enter.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

4th graders (and their families) can visit free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass, available at everykidoutdoors.gov. Present it (digital or printed) at the entrance station or visitor center.

Permits & Reservations

You do not need a permit to enter the park, day-hike, or rock climb. You do need one for:

Overnight Backcountry Camping

Free self-registration is required at one of the park's backcountry boards before setting out. Vehicles must be parked at a registered backcountry board, not along roadside pullouts.

Keys Ranch Tours

Ranger-led tours of the historic Keys Ranch homestead require an advance reservation and cost $10–$20 per person.

Campgrounds & RV Options

Joshua Tree has nine campgrounds. There are no RV hookups anywhere, though Black Rock and Cottonwood have potable water and dump stations. Reservations are only available at Black Rock and Indian Cove (Oct–May); everywhere else is first-come, first-served.

Black Rock Campground
Near Yucca Valley. Water and dump station on-site. Reservable Oct–May; first-come the rest of the year.
Indian Cove Campground
Popular with climbers, on the park's north side. Reservable Oct–May; first-come in summer. Motorhomes/trailers over 25 ft combined length not permitted at group sites.
Cottonwood Campground
Near the South Entrance. Water and dump station on-site. First-come, first-served; motorhomes/trailers not permitted at the tent-only group sites.
Hidden Valley Campground
Among rock formations near the park's center. No water. First-come, first-served; combined vehicle/trailer length capped at 25 ft.
Jumbo Rocks Campground
The park's largest campground, among boulder piles. No water. Open year-round, first-come, first-served.
Ryan Campground
No water. First-come, first-served; closed June–September.
Sheep Pass Group Campground
Tent-only group sites, reservation required.
Belle & White Tank Campgrounds
Small, quiet campgrounds on the park's east side. No water. First-come, first-served; closed June–September.

Every site has a picnic table and fire grate; bring your own firewood. Campgrounds fill quickly on fall–spring weekends. Fees and current details: NPS – Camping.

Good to Know

  • No overflow camping or parking: all overnight vehicles must be in a designated campsite — have a backup plan (nearby BLM land or towns) if the park's campgrounds are full.
  • Water is scarce: available only at visitor centers, the West Entrance, Indian Cove Ranger Station, and Black Rock/Cottonwood campgrounds — most campgrounds have none.
  • Extreme summer heat: highs regularly exceed 100°F; carry more water than you think you need.
  • Dark skies: Joshua Tree is a great stargazing destination — check the new moon calendar for the darkest nights.
  • Cell service is unreliable through most of the park — download maps and save your entrance pass before you arrive.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees, campground availability, and road/trail conditions change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Joshua Tree National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Visitor Centers · NPS – Camping · NPS – Alerts & Conditions