Entrance - Private Vehicle
$30.007-day vehicle permit, admitting the passengers of a single, non-commercial vehicle on the day of purchase and for the next six days.
CA
Joshua Tree National Park
Trailie
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Joshua Tree at a glance
- Best time
- January–February, May–November
- Trip length
- 4–7 days
- Don't miss
- Skull Rock and Keys View
- Nearby city
- Twentynine Palms, CA
Explore this park
About Joshua Tree National Park
Boulder scrambling, dark-sky camping, and spring wildflower peaks draw weekend trips.
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California. Come explore for yourself!
4 current NPS alerts
- Park Closure: Geology Tour Road Temporarily Closed
- Caution: Partial Trail Closure of West Side Loop
- Caution: Oasis of Mara Trail Partial Closure
- +1 more in the Alerts tab
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 11, 2026). Official Joshua Tree National Park page on nps.gov
Weather Information
Days are typically clear with less than 25% humidity. Temperatures are most comfortable
- Spring
and fall, with an average highs around 85°F (29°C) and average lows around 50°F (10°C) respectively.
- Summer
are hot, over 100°F (38°C) during the day and not cooling much below 75°F (24°C) at night.
- Winter
brings cooler days, around 60°F (15°C), and freezing nights.
It occasionally snows at higher elevations.
Entrance Fees
Entrance - Motorcycle
$25.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.007-day entrance fee, per person on foot or bike.
Operating Hours
Joshua Tree National Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Visitation increases as temperatures moderate in the fall, peaks during the spring wildflower season, and diminishes during the heat of summer. Some areas of the park are designated for day use only. Visitor centers keep separate hours; please see descriptions.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Entrance Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$55.00This pass is valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. It covers the entrance fee to Joshua Tree National Park for the pass signee and accompanying passengers entering in a single, non-commercial vehicle. Joshua Tree Annual Passes are available at park entrance stations and visitor centers.
Common questions
Planning Joshua Tree
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 4 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Joshua Tree National Park Wilderness Backpacking Permits and Joshua Tree National Park Tours and Programs. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
