Joshua Tree National Park trip planner

Joshua Tree National Park takes its name from the Joshua tree, a twisted, spiky tree with bayonet-shaped leaves at the top that's one of the few plant species hardy enough to thrive in the extreme climate of the Mojave Desert. You'll find other plants such as cacti and creosote bushes in the park, and desert wildflowers bloom after sudden rainstorms. Lizards and birds are the most common daytime animals, while bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats, coyotes, and black-tailed jackrabbits become active at night. While the wildlife is interesting, it's the park's strange and varied landscape that awes visitors. Sand dunes, dry lake beds, rugged mountains, flat valleys, granite monoliths, and oases draw the eye's interest and set the stage for outstanding hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and rock climbing. The park also sits within a three-hour drive of 18 million people, making it easily accessible for a quick holiday. Joshua Tree National Park is in California. Add Joshua Tree National Park and other destinations to your itinerary using our United States road trip tool, and learn about what to see, what to do, and where to stay.