Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Location: San Berndardino, CA
Length: 794,000 acres
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: camping, hiking, climbing, birdwatching, geological features

About the Joshua Tree National Park

This 790, 636 acre park is know and named after the abundant species of Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia). From being a national monument, it was renamed as a national park. It’s located near Palm Springs, between the counties of San Bernardino and Riverside, in the south east part of California, encompassing mostly desert areas. About 600,000 acres is designated as wilderness. It forms part of two desserts. First, the Mojave Desert where the Joshua trees originally grew. Second is the Colorado Desert. The Colorado Desert is an extension of the Sonoran Desert where you can see ocotillo plants and “jumping” cholla cactus. Southwest edge of the park gives views of the Little San Bernardino Mountains. You can see here California juniper and pinyon pine.

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Top 3 Adventure Hacks

1) Careful of the heat

Temperature can be quite higher than usual in the area. Prepare ample water and protection from heat or the sun.

2) Geological features

It is home to interesting geological features like exposed granite monoliths, canyons, alluvial fans, bajadas, desert varnish, and igneous and metamorphic rocks . It’s stony rugged terrain also makes it perfect for rock climbing.

3) Bird watcing

The park is part of the Pacific flyway where migratory birdspass by or stop for rest.