What to DoJoshua Tree National Park
Where Is Joshua Tree National Park?
Joshua Tree is in Southern California, 140 miles east of Los Angeles, with west, north and south entrances. A one-day route, camping and 2026 fees.
Joshua Tree National Park
Desert park in Southern California where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, about two and a half hours east of Los Angeles.
NPS puts the park 175 miles northeast of San Diego and 215 miles southwest of Las Vegas. The closest airport is Palm Springs. There are three entrances. The West Entrance is at Joshua Tree Village, the North Entrance is in Twentynine Palms, and the South Entrance is on Interstate 10, 25 miles east of Indio. NPS warns not to rely on GPS to find your way.
The park is open 24 hours a day, every day. Inside there are no gas stations, restaurants, stores or hotels, and there is no water in the interior. Cell service is very limited. Fill your tank and your water bottles before you enter.
Entry is $30 per vehicle for 7 days in 2026, and there is no extra fee for non-US residents. Fall and spring highs are 70 to 85 F. Summer highs are usually over 100 F, so NPS says to start short trails before 9 a.m. A one-day route can take in Keys View, Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, Skull Rock and Cholla Cactus Garden. Those five walks take about 3 hours 45 minutes to 5 hours, plus driving. Campsites cost $25 to $35 a night, and no campground has showers.
What to Do