Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent Curt Sauer announced that the park will restore campgrounds and visitor centers to full operation in time for the Columbus Day holiday weekend that traditionally kicks-off the fall visitor season.

Visitors seeking to make camping reservations should call Reserve America, the National Park Service's camping reservation contractor, at 1-877-444-6777, or visit the reservation website www.recreation.gov. Advance camping reservations can be made for individual sites at Black Rock and Indian Cove campgrounds. Group campsites at Joshua Tree can be reserved at Indian Cove, Cottonwood, and Sheep Pass campgrounds. Other park campsites, at Belle, Cottonwood, Jumbo Rocks, Ryan, and White Tank campgrounds, are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Park visitor centers will also be fully open by October 5. Their hours are:
Black Rock Nature Center 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cottonwood Visitor Center 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Joshua Tree Visitor Center 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oasis Visitor Center 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For further information about Joshua Tree National Park facilities and services visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/jotr or call 760-367-5500.