Permits & Reservations

Reservations

 

• No advance reservations are needed to enter Joshua Tree National Park. To enter the park, visitors will need to buy or show an entrance pass.

• Reservations are required in most campgrounds and can be made on recreation.gov. Some campgrounds are first-come, first-served; these do not require reservations but fill up fast on weekends, holidays, and in the springtime.

• Reservations are required for Keys Ranch tours and can be made on recreation.gov. Besides Keys Ranch tours, ranger programs are free to attend and do not require reservations.

 

Permits

 

A Special Use Permit (SUP) is required for short-term activities that provide a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than the public at large, and that require some degree of management from the National Park Service in order to protect park resources and the public interest. SUP's are available for the following activities,

• Filming, Photography, and Sound Recording

• Weddings and Ceremonies

• Special Events

• Scattering Ashes

• First Amendment Activities

• Administrative Road Access

 

Backpacking Permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. Permits can be obtained on recreation.gov, by telephone, or by visiting the permit office at our headquarters in Twentynine Palms, CA. For more information, check out our wilderness backpacking webpage.

 

A Bolting Permit is required for the placement, removal, and replacement of bolts and fixed anchors in both wilderness and non-wilderness areas. For more information on bolting regulations and how to apply for a permit, check out our bolting webpage.

 

A Scientific Research Permit is required to carry out scientific research or related activities in the park. Fees are not charged for the permit, but researchers must submit an annual activity report. Scientific research permit applications are completed online and reviewed by discipline specialists, who will contact the applicant for further information. For more information and to apply, visit our Research Permit Webpage.

 

Permit Office

The permit office is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm (PST). We are closed on federal holidays.

Contact us

General permits phone: [phone]
Backpacking permits phone: [phone]

Backpacking permits, email: [e-mail]
All other permits, email: [e-mail]

Address:
74485 National Park Drive
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
*We are located in office building 100 near the flag pole.