Plan A Field Trip

Joshua Tree National Park provides the perfect outdoor setting to enhance classroom-based learning. You can visit on your own or have a ranger join you for an outdoor education program. All ranger-led education programs are curriculum-based (California State Education Standards, NGSS) and free of charge.

 

Ranger-led Field Trips

Ranger-led field trip and guest speaker requests for the 2023-2024 school year will be accepted starting September 1. Field trips to the park will resume in October.

Submit the Field Trip Reservation Request Form via email to [e-mail].

Things to keep in mind while filling out this form:

• Most program locations can accommodate 1 bus (2 classes on a bus)
• Ranger-led programs generally last 1-1.5 hours, not including driving or lunch time. Expect total time in the park (travel to site, program, lunch) to be approximately 3 hours.

Field Trip Reservation Request Form

You may also choose to submit a Transportation Funding Request Form.
Through generous donations from private organizations and the Joshua Tree National Park Association, the park is able to fund students travelling to the park by school bus within 50 miles of the park boundary. The park may only be able to partially fund students travelling by charter bus or those coming from beyond the 50 mile radius.

Please watch our video with your students to help them prepare for their ranger-led field trip.

Preschool and Kindergarten

Who Lives in a National Park
Using songs, activities, and short hikes geared toward younger students, this program explores the plants and animals living in the desert and how they make the desert home.
Location: Black Rock Nature Center
Standards: NGSS K-LS1-1

Early Elementary

Junior GeoKids
Students will see the effects of slow and fast change on the Joshua Tree geological landscape. They will also experience how the diversity of desert life survives in that landscape through games, activities, and a moderate hike. Prior to your visit please watch this short video.
Location: Black Rock Nature Center or Cottonwood Campground
Standards: NGSS 2-ESS1-1, 2-ESS2-2

Exploring a Desert Habitat
Students will investigate the diversity of desert life and learn about special plant and animal adaptations through games and a moderate hike.
Location: Black Rock Nature Center or Cottonwood Campground
Standards: NGSS 1-LS1-1, 2-LS4-1 3-LS2-1, 3-LS4-3

Upper Elementary

GeoKids
Students will experience how weathering and erosion alters the landscape at Joshua Tree. They will explore geological features using their senses and tools provided by the park ranger. After a guided hike, rangers will lead students on a fun scramble through the rocks. Prior to your visit please watch this short video.
Location: Hidden Valley Picnic Area
Standards: NGSS: 4-ESS2-1, 4-ESS2-2, 5-ESS2-1

Keys to the Past
Bill Keys arrived in Joshua Tree looking for gold but stayed for 60 years. With his wife, Francis, they raised a large family and maintained several side ventures on their rugged Desert Queen Ranch. Students will explore the ranch, learning about the wit and ingenuity needed to survive in the remote and harsh location of the Mojave Desert. *Program is limited to 1 class per visit.
Location: Keys Ranch
Standards: CA SS Standard 3.2, 4.2-3

Middle and High School

Tune in to Tracking
Students will be provided the opportunity to learn how the threatened desert tortoise thrives and how park scientists keep track of the population. Students will track and take measurements of “tortoises” in the wild (no live animals will be used.) A 1.5 mile hike is optional at the Black Rock location.
Location: Cap Rock Nature Trail, Black Rock Canyon
Standards: MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2

Joshua Tree Monitoring
Students will collect data on long-term monitoring plots measuring the park's iconic and namesake trees. Students use gps units to locate trees in the sudy and measure them using a variety of scientific tools. All materials are provided by rangers. Data collected by students in this program contributes to the park's overall study of the effects of climate change on Joshua trees.
Location: Black Rock Canyon
Standards: NGSS HS-ESS3-1, HS-ETS1-3

Issues in Park Management
Surrounded by millions of people in a highly populated part of the country, the park faces many issues when trying to fulfill its mission to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources for all in perpetuity. Students will be guided through areas experiencing the effects of change and explore reasons why they think these issues exist and how the park should react. Teachers can select topics from the following list of current issues: graffiti, climate change, impacts of increased visitation, or the teacher can work with staff on current issues pertinent to the classroom.
Location: throughout the park. Education staff will assist to find an appropriate location.

 

Self-guided Field Trips

Academic fee waivers are available for groups that choose to take a self-guided trip to Joshua Tree National Park.