• Sunrise at the Cholla Cactus Garden

    Joshua Tree

    National Park California

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  • Pinto Basin Road Renovation

    Pinto Basin Road is being renovated. On weekdays you may encounter travel delays of up to 30 minutes. Cholla Cactus Garden is closed on weekdays. Cottonwood Visitor Center hours are 9 to 4 on weekdays, 8 to 4 weekends. More »

  • Rattlesnake Canyon Will Remain Closed Through May

    To provide additional time to mitigate the vandalism, Rattlesnake Canyon will remain completely closed to the public for another 30 days. More »

Trees and Shrubs

Unlike desert wildflowers, which germinate and bloom during the brief rainy seasons and leave their seeds to endure the hottest and dryest times, desert trees and shrubs must adapt to the the climate year-round. Their modifications are varied, but whether like the tiny, drought-deciduous leaves characteristic of paloverde, or the furry, gray leaves of brittlebush, they are equally effective.

Did You Know?

Desert Tortoise

The reptiles of Joshua Tree National Park include one tortoise, 18 lizards, and 25 varieties of snakes. More...