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California

JOSHUA TREE

ESTABLISHED 1994


Joshua Tree National Park is a botanical marvel. Meander through whimsical cactus gardens, explore boulder-strewn canyons, and gaze at starry night skies: this is a desert wonder you don’t want to miss.

A unique ecosystem where the Mojave and the Colorado deserts meet, Joshua Tree is known for its striking, fanciful flora. Prickly Joshua trees and spiny cacti shoot up from gravel and sand, and ancient boulders dot the landscape. Though deserts may appear to be barren, Joshua Tree is a reminder that life persists in the harshest environments.

With dagger-sharp leaves and fibrous bark, the park’s namesake Joshua tree isn’t actually a tree, but a variety of yucca plant and a member of the cactus family. Legend has it that the name was bestowed by Mormon settlers traveling through the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century. Its distinct shape reminded them of a biblical story where Joshua raises his hands to pray.

Botanical enthusiasts will delight in the variety of other native flora such as the fuzzy teddy bear cholla and the jumping cholla, named for the ease with which thorny segments detach and cling to unsuspecting passersby. For a stunning wildflower display, visit in the early spring, when the California barrel cactus and ocotillo erupt in pink and scarlet flowers, and the air is tinged with the distinct aroma of Joshua tree blooms.

This unique desert ecosystem is also a climber’s and hiker’s paradise. An array of walking trails winds through remote canyons and interesting rock formations such as Skull Rock, a naturally formed oddity carved out of the sandstone by wind and water, and a popular spot for photographers.

Into the night

The clear, cool nights are perfect for stargazing, and afford a shimmering respite from California’s light pollution. Established campgrounds offer privacy with spots nestled between boulders, so you can explore by day and retire to camp in the evening under the twinkling sky.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Joshua Trees

The park’s most iconic plant species co-evolved over millions of years with the tiny, unassuming yucca moth, a type of dung beetle. Lacking the ability to produce nectar, Joshua trees rely solely on the yucca moth for pollination. The yucca moth in turn pollinates only Joshua tree flowers, using its nimble mandibles to collect pollen, thus ensuring the survival of this cactus.

PARK PIONEERS

Minerva Hoyt

Celebrated as the first desert conservationist, Hoyt is considered the founder of Joshua Tree National Park and was a pioneer in the movement to protect the United States’ wild places. A wealthy socialite from Pasadena, Hoyt eschewed high society in favor of the beauty of the desert. She founded the International Desert Conservation League in 1910, and in 1936 she convinced President Franklin D. Roosevelt to designate 1,250 sq miles (3,237 sq km) of the California desert as Joshua Tree National Monument.

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Namesake Joshua trees thrive in the park’s stark desert landscape beside rugged boulders such as Jumbo Rocks

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