• 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 »

Backcountry Registration Boards

There is no fee for camping in the backcountry at Joshua Tree National Park. However, you are required to park and register at a backcountry registration board. An unregistered vehicle or a vehicle left overnight somewhere other than at a backcountry board is a cause for concern about the safety of the vehicle’s occupants. It is also subject to citation and towing.

There are 13 backcountry registration boards located throughout the park.

 
Name Elevation Features Location
Black Rock 4,000 feet California Riding & Hiking Trail Black Rock Canyon
Cottonwood 3,100 feet Lost Palms Oasis Trail Cottonwood Spring
Covington 4,000 feet California Riding & Hiking Trail Upper Covington Flat
Geology 4,485 feet California Riding & Hiking Trail 1.5 miles south on Geology Tour Road
Indian Cove 2,920 feet Boy Scout Trail 1.5 miles south on Indian Cove Road
Juniper Flats 4,340 feet California Riding & Hiking Trail 1.1 mile south on Keys View Road
Keys West 4,000 feet Boy Scout Trail, Willow Hole Trail 6.7 miles from West Entrance
North
Entrance		 2,880 feet California Riding & Hiking Trail .5 mile from North Entrance
Pine City 4,436 feet Pine City Trail 1.3 miles north on Big Horn Road
Pleasant
Valley		 3,280 feet Fried Liver Wash Corridor &
Hexehedron Mine Trail		 ? miles south on Geology Tour Road
Porcupine Wash 2,450 feet sand dunes & Pinto Mountain 8 miles from Cottonwood
Turkey Flats 1,791 feet sand dunes & Pinto Mountain 13 miles from Cottonwood
Twin Tanks 3,900 feet California Riding & Hiking Trail 7 miles from North Entrance

Did You Know?

Joshua Tree Blooms

One of the most beautiful spectacles in spring is the creamy-white blossoms of Joshua trees. These white candles can be seen from February to late March. Joshua trees do not branch until after they bloom, and they don’t bloom every year. More...