In accordance with regulations and the delegated authority provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (“36 CFR”), Chapter 1, Parts 1-7, authorized by Title 54 U.S.C. §100751, the following provisions apply to all lands and waters administered by the National Park Service, within the boundaries of Joshua Tree National Park. Unless otherwise stated, these regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained in 36 CFR, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7. I. 36 CFR §1.5 – VISITING HOURS, PUBLIC USE LIMITS, CLOSURES, AND AREA DESIGNATIONS FOR SPECIFIC USE OR ACTIVITIES(a)(1) The following visiting hours and public use limits are established for all or for the listed portions of the park, and the following closures are established for all or a portion of the park to all public use or to a certain use or activity:Visiting Hours: • Visitor Center hours throughout the park are from 8am-5pm unless otherwise posted. • Buzzard Springs Area (Township 4 South, Range 14 East, Sections 8, 9, 16, and 17 (generally a rectangle described as 1.25 miles north, to .75 miles south , to one mile east and west from the spring) (beginning at the northwest corner, 634407E x 3745886N (UTM Zone 11N (NAD 83)); thence easterly to 637614E x 3745904N; thence southerly to 637668E x 3742683N; thence westerly to 634444E x 3742661N; thence northerly to the point of the beginning). Justification: It is necessary to establish hours that the public may enter an area in order to protect the natural and cultural resources from resource damage, theft, vandalism and inappropriate group activities. It is also necessary for visitor safety since these areas can present hazardous conditions, which become extreme during the night hours. • The following areas are open from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset except by permit. • Barker Dam Area (within Township 2 South, Range 8 East, Section 4 and 5) (all park lands north of Barker Dam Road and Queen Valley Road including Barker Dam parking lot) (beginning at the northwest corner, 576899E x 3766188N (UTM Zone 11N (NAD 83)); thence easterly to 579334E x 3766217N; thence southerly to 579355E x 3765224N; thence westerly to 577921E x 3764890N; thence northerly to the point of the beginning). Justification: These areas are designated as Day Use only. This is necessary for visitor safety and the protection of the natural and cultural resource from vandalism, theft, and inappropriate use. • The Key’s Ranch (Township 1 South, Range 8 East, Section 32) is open to the public only when accompanied by a park employee or authorized by a permit. This closure is generally a rectangle from the Keys Ranch gate on the south, to the private property on the west, to 1/8 mile north of the ranch house, to slightly over one mile east of the ranch house including Keys Ranch and Cow Camp impoundments (beginning at the northwest corner, 576060E x 3767793N (UTM Zone 11N (NAD 83)); thence easterly to 577668E x 3767805N; thence southerly to 577671E x 3766200N; thence westerly to 576069E x 3766179N; thence northerly to the point of the beginning). Justification: This is necessary to protect a sensative historic site from vandalism and theft. • The following campgrounds or portions thereof may be closed to public entry from the weekend following Memorial Day until the weekend before Columbus Day unless needed during the summer. • Belle Campground. Justification: This is necessary to allow the campgrounds relief and saves operational costs while still meeting visitor carrying capacity loads during the low visitation period. • National Park wilderness, including trails, is closed to the possession or use of any machine, conveyance, device, or vehicle activated and propelled by a motor, engine,or other non-living power source. The use or possession of these, and all other forms of mechanical transport in Wilderness, are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, cars, trucks, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), motorcycles, aircraft, chain saws, weed whackers, powerdrills, power saws, generators, and compressors. National Park wilderness, including trails, is closed to the possession or use of any contrivance for moving people or material in or over land or air that has moving parts, that provides a mechanical advantage to the user, and is powered by a living or non living power source for the preservation of wilderness character. This includes, but is not limited to, non-motorized wheeled vehicles, conveyances, and devices, such as bicycles, Segways™ and other Electric Personal Assistance Mobility Devices (EPAMD), carts, dollies, wheelbarrows, wagons, strollers, hang gliders and paragliders. Wheelchairs as defined in Title V Section 507(c) of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may be used by persons with disabilities. The National Council on Accessibility defines wheelchairs as "… all wheelchairs, whether motorized or not, provided that they are suitable for use in an indoor pedestrian area." Justification: The Wilderness Act 1964 prohibits these uses in designated wilderness. Allowing such use would place the park in violation of the Wilderness Act. • The Barker Dam barrier structure, constructed of cement and stone, is closed to entry by the public. The closure limit is 10 feet around the dam structure except on the Barker DamTrail side which will be limited to staying on the trail and off the dam. Justification: Built in 1900, Barker Dam was listed on the National Historic Register in 1975 and further included within the Keys Ranch National Historic District Determination of Eligibility in 2004 as a property of local historical significance for its contributions to historic agricultural practices. Construction required sixteen 8-day-long trips to haul materials from Banning; preventing degradation to the structure is imperative to keeping it functioning for historic preservation as well as to provide a critical water source for wildlife. The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to protect America's historic and archeological resources. This is necessary to protect a sensitive cultural resource from damage. • All park water sources are closed to swimming, wading, and bathing including but notlimited to Barker Dam Lake, Cow Camp Lake, Key’s Ranch Lake, and 49 Palms Oasis. Justification: Water is essential and very limited to populations of bighorn sheep in Joshua Tree National Park. Swimming, wading, and bathing in the traditional watering locations contaminates these water sources and deters the sheep from visiting the water sources. Both consequences adversely affect this sensitive population. • The historic Camp Coxcomb Ranges 1 & 2 are closed to the public. The closure limit is the entirety of the canyon drainage west from the park boundary between 33.88237, -115.29235 (East Terminus) to 33.88240, -115.29965 (West Terminus). See Appendix B for area map. Justification: An emergency closure of the bombing range area was issued February 2021 due to the local U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team’s assessment that there is a high probability of more unexploded ordinance within the footprint of the historic range. Joshua Tree National Park and the USMC are actively working on a solution to assess and mitigate safety hazards in this area. Upon the completion of this effort the park will reassess the validity of this closure. Pictograph Boulder The following boulder is closed to climbing and bouldering: Pictograph Boulder. This includes the problems: Local Color, Brownian Motion, Shades of Gray. -116.091699 34.042103 Schwarzenegger Wall The following routes, areas, and formations are closed to all rock climbing and bouldering: Schwarzenegger Wall on the North End of Rockworks Rock. This includes all climbing to the right (north) of the route "Kickoff" on Rockworks Rock. -116.149796 34.03181 Indian Cave Boulder The following boulder is closed to climbing and bouldering: Indian Cave. This includes the problems: Shindig and Unknown. -116.165931 34.014798 Lonely Stones 3 The following boulder is closed to climbing and bouldering: Lonely Stones 3. This includes the problems: Unnamed, Rattlesnake, Entropic Design, East Corner. -116.248244 34.083848 The Shipwreck The following boulder is closed to climbing and bouldering: The Shipwreck. This includes the problems: Shipwreck, Unnamed, Fistful of Walnuts, Neoflange, Turboflange, Block Party. Chalk Party, Dashed on the Rocks, Down with the Ship, Women and Children First. -116.165576 34.009893 Indian Wave Boulders The following boulders are closed to climbing and bouldering: The Lion’s Cage, Indian Wave Boulder, Native Arete, Sheize Roof, Fat Lip Boulder, Shard, Indian Cave, Chicken Wing.
Indian Wave Boulders includes the problems on the following boulders: • The Lion’s Cage – The Lion’s Cage -116.141576 34.026097 Maverick Boulder • Maverick Justification: This is necessary to protect sensitive resources from damage. • Unattended parking is not allowed within the park between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. except in designated campsites and at backcountry board parking areas. Justification: This is necessary to prevent unauthorized camping in areas not designated for camping, group gatherings in undeveloped areas, sanitation problems, vandalism, and theft of natural resources. • No fixed anchors may be placed within the Fixed Anchor Free Zone. See Appendix C: “Fixed Anchor Free Zone Map.” Justification: This is necessary to protect specific natural rock features from the introduction of Fixed Anchors. A fixed anchor is defined as any piece of climbing protection that is left in place to facilitate a safe ascent or rappel. • The possession or transportation by any means of wild animals as listed or defined in Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 17.11 (Endangered and Threatened Wildlife) or California Fish and Game Code sections 2116 and 2118 (Wild Animals), or live farm animals (cattle, bison, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, etc.) is prohibited. Justification: This is necessary to provide protection to the park’s native species from the potential introduction of exotics and/or diseased animals. It also promotes public safety. • Employee residential areas, office areas including the curtilage around the office areas, and park maintenance facilities are open to the public only when authorized by a park employee or resident. Justification: This is necessary to protect government property and personal property of government employees from vandalism and theft. • Mine adits and shafts are closed to entry by the public. Justification: This is necessary for public safety and to reduce the likelihood of people carrying the causal fungal agent of white-nosed syndrome, Geomyces destructans, to our bat populations. Studies have shown people can unintentionally carry this fungus from an infected site to a non-infected site on their gear, clothing, and other personal effects in addition to protect the safety of park visitors from hazards associated with these cultural features. • The use of fixed line (any line made from any material which is stretched between 2points) is prohibited in campgrounds, at trailheads, and in picnic areas. Tie-downs used in conjunction with tarps and tents affixed to ground stakes are permitted in campgrounds. Vegetation, picnic tables, and signage may not be used to anchor any fixed line. Highlines and slacklines may not be left unattended and need to be dismantled when not in use. Justification: These conditions are necessary to reduce the impact to natural resources, prevent safety hazards and promote a satisfactory visitor experience. • Leaving animals unattended in a vehicle if the animal would suffer because of heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, food or water or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death is prohibited. Justification: Joshua Tree National Park is subject to harsh and extreme environmental conditions which can be dangerous and deadly to pets left in vehicles. (a)(2) The following areas have been designated for a specific use or activity, under the conditions and/or restrictions as noted:Camping: • Please refer to Section 2.10 for detailed camping area designations. Segway Use • Segways and motorized scooters, as defined under Section 1.4 are motor vehicles. The park imposes an interim restriction on the use of Segways and motorized scooters from all areas within the park including park roads, trails, and sidewalks. However, any park visitor with a disability is permitted to use Segways and motorized scooters throughout the park,including all structures, facilities, park roads, sidewalks, trails, and other surfaces when suchdevices are used for the sole purpose of mobility assistance. Finally, use of a mobility assistive device, as outlined above, must also adhere to the following: Justification: This provides for the use of mobility assistive devices within the park for individuals with disabilities and protection of the park resources against recreational activities inconsistent with park management. The following restrictions and/or conditions are in effect for the specific uses or activities noted: • Climbing, sitting, or standing on live Joshua trees is prohibited. Stringing hammocks, slacklines, or anything else from Joshua trees is also prohibited. Justification: This is necessary to protect Joshua trees from damage to branches, trunks, and roots. Unlike most trees, Joshua trees are monocots and do not have a tap root or wood (secondary xylem) and are therefore structurally week. Joshua tree branches can break from snow accumulation and tress can be toppled by high winds. The effects of a warming climate are stressing Joshua trees and Joshua tree mortality is now greater than reproduction. • Engines must be shut down when not underway. Engine may be turned on as passengers load or unload from the bus to aid in climate control, but idling should beallowed for no more than five minutes. Justification: The idling of bus engines adds unnecessary exhaust fumes to the air and diminishes the enjoyment by visitors of the peace and tranquility of the park. • Climbing is permitted in Joshua Tree National Park. Climbing with fixed anchors is permitted in the areas where fixed anchors were installed prior to the issuance of this compendium. Until the completion of a revised Climbing Management Plan, the installation, removal, and replacement of allbolts is suspended unless authorized by the superintendent through a Special Use Permit. The useof a motorized drill is prohibited for the installation, removal or replacement of a bolt unless authorized by the superintendent through a Special Use Permit. Justification: These conditions are necessary to reduce the impact to natural resources, prevent safety hazards and promote a satisfactory visitor experience. Authorization for placement of fixed anchors and power-drilling devices may be obtained through the park’s special use permit office in Twentynine Palms, CA. • No one may take water from a non-pay park public water dispenser for domestic purposes outside the park. Justification: Water supplied to the public is for the benefit and use of park campers and not for local residents. • No one may take water from a private residence within the boundaries of Joshua Tree National Park. Justification: Water spigots attached to private residences are for the use of the residents of those residences and not the public. • Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Joshua Tree National Park is prohibited except as approved in writing by the Superintendent. Definition: Unmanned Aircraft (UA) - The term "unmanned aircraft" means a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the device, and the associated operational elements and components that are required for the pilot or system operator in command to operate or control the device (such as cameras, sensors, communication links). This term includes all types of devices that meet this definition (e.g., model airplanes, quadcopters, and drones) that are used for any purpose, including for recreation or commerce. • No person shall operate any radio-controlled or other remotely operated model, toy or similar device, including but not limited to cars, helicopters, rockets, airplanes or gliders. Justification: This is necessary to provide for visitor safety, protection of property, and reduce unnecessary noise. • Any apparatus with integrated or attached wheels, including, but not limited to, coolers, strollers, tripods, props, and light fixtures, is prohibited from being moved by means of itswheels on the ground outside of designated campgrounds, parking areas, and visitor centerareas. Wheelchairs and mobility assistive devices are excluded from this prohibition provided that they are being used by a person with a disability requiring the use of such device. Justification: This is necessary to prevent damage to vegetation near developed areas and the degradation of existing trails. • The Parking lots located in the Lost Horse Mine, Split Rock, Live Oak, and Wall Street Mill Day Use areas are closed to RVs (The combination of the Trailer and tow vehicle, or any Class RV) whose size exceed 25’ in length. Justification: The Parking lots located at Lost Horse Mine, Split Rock, Live Oak, and Wall Street Mill do not have the space available for an RV to safely maneuver the vehicle in the lot. • Use of bicycles on roadways during storm events, to include, rain, sand, or snow, is prohibited. Justification: Operation of bicycles during storm events which require active road plowing, prevent the plows from maintaining a straight road. In instances which bikers are on blind curves the ability for a plow drive to slow quickly or move into the opposite lane is not guaranteed due to the nature of the unplowed road. This creates a safety hazard for those riding a bicycle through the park as they can be struck by a plow. • The operator of an e-bike may only use the motor to assist pedal propulsion. The motor may not be used to propel and e-bike without the rider also pedaling, exceptin locations open to public vehicle traffic. Justification: The Superintendent retains the right to limit, restrict or impose conditions of e-bike use in order to endure visitor safety and resource protection. II.36 CFR §1.6 – ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE A PERMIT
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Last updated: October 7, 2024