Physical / Mobility

Facilities

Visitor Centers

• Accessible sidewalk at Oasis of Mara Trail
• Accessible information desks at Black Rock Nature Center, Cottonwood Visitor Center, and Joshua Tree Visitor Center.
• Low-profile exhibits at Joshua Tree Visitor Center

Nature Trails

The below trails may be preferred for visitors with mobility concerns. Read below for specific information about each trail including wheelchair considerations.

• Bajada Nature Trail near the South Entrance. This trail has areas of deep sand and is scheduled for improvements. The terrain of this trail is not suitable for most motorized wheelchairs.
• Cap Rock Nature Trail at the junction of Park Boulevard and Keys View Road. The terrain of this trail may not be suitable for most motorized wheelchairs.
• Oasis of Mara Trail in Twentynine Palms. This trail is paved and suitable for all wheelchairs.
• Lower Keys View Overlook - near accessible parking spots. This trail is paved and suitable for all wheelchairs. Views may be limited by signage and naturally growing vegetation.

Campgrounds

Jumbo Rock Campground

Site accessibility
Jumbo Rocks is composed of a number of campground loops. Currently, on space, #122, is specifically designated as accessible. The site is level, vehicle-accessible with firm and stable ground. Electricity is unavailable at the site, however. When making campground reservations at recreation.gov, please be sure to request the accessible site #122, if desired.

Restroom
The site is close to an accessible restroom. Help up 1-2” to the bathroom level will be required by users of wheelchairs or other wheeled devices. Routes in and around the facility are firm, stable and level

Amphitheater
Routes to the amphitheater are not currently well-compacted gravel or level.

Black Rock Campground

Site accessibility
Black Rock Campground is composed of rows of campsites. Currently, one space, #61, is specifically designated as accessible. The site is level, vehicle-accessible with firm and stable ground. Water is available at the site but will require assistance as the faucet exceeds 5 lbs of pressure to turn on. Electricity is unavailable at the site, however.

Restroom
The site is several campsites away from an accessible restroom along the roadway. Help up 1-2” to the bathroom level will be required by users of wheelchairs or other wheeled devices. Routes in and around the facility are firm, stable and level.

Amphitheater
Routes to the amphitheater are not currently well-compacted gravel or level.

Wheelchair-accessible restrooms

These restrooms are accessible in a wheelchair, including solo use:

• Joshua Tree Visitor Center
• Cottonwood Visitor Center
• West Entrance Station
• Quail Springs Picnic Area
• Hidden Valley Day Use
• Hall of Horror
• Geology Tour Road - at the beginning of the road
• Hidden Valley Campground
• Intersection Rock Parking

Other Areas

• Intersection Rock parking area: accessible sidewalk for access to wayside exhibits and pit toilets
• Hidden Valley Day-Use Area: accessible sidewalk for access to vault toilets

Wheelchairs and OPDMDs

Definitions

• Manual wheelchair means a device that is propelled by human power, designed for and used by a person with mobility concerns.
• Motorized wheelchair means a self-propelled wheeled device, designed solely for and used by a person with mobility concerns for locomotion that is both capable of and suitable for use in indoor pedestrian areas.

Policy

The use of a manual or motorized wheelchair by an individual with limited mobility is allowed to the extent that the same would apply to a pedestrian. The information in this section is intended to treat a person using a manual or motorized wheelchair as a pedestrian, and is not intended to restrict the activities of such a person beyond the degree that the activities of a pedestrian are restricted by the same regulations. For your safety we recommend that you contact the park for current conditions of the trail you intend to use.

The recumbent 3 wheel trike is not allowed indoors due to its size which becomes a safety issue for both user and pedestrians. It may be used on the Keys Ranch tour and front and back country hikes. For your safety we recommend that you contact the park for current conditions of the trail you intend to use.

The use of Other Power Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs), while allowed, is restricted to persons with mobility disabilities and such use is allowed on trails and dirt roads where people without mobility issues are allowed. For your safety we recommend that you contact the park for current conditions of the trail you intend to use.

One such device is the Electric Personal Mobility Assistance Devices (EPMAD) like electric scooters, Segway devices which are a motor vehicle as defined in Title 36 CFR. “Electric personal assistive mobility device” or “EPMAD” means a self-balancing, non-tandem two-wheeled device, that is not greater than 20 inches deep and 25 inches wide and can turn in place, designed to transport only one person. Though it has an electric propulsion system averaging 12.5 mph, it may only travel at the speed of surrounding pedestrians for the purposes of safety. It may be used on the Keys Ranch tour and front and back country hikes. For your safety we recommend that you contact the park for current conditions of the trail you intend to use.

OPDMDs like golf carts and ATVs will not be allowed in the front country or back country due to damage to the natural resources due to its weight and emissions.