Summer Seasonal Closures and Restrictions

Joshua Tree on a warm summer day.

NPS/ Alessandra Puig-Santana

 

Joshua Tree National Park experiences extreme heat during summer months, which affects access to certain areas and operations. This page includes the most up-to-date information on campground and trail closures, changes to visitor center hours, and current fire restrictions. Please check this page before visiting.

 

 

Current Summer Campground Status

• Black Rock – Open (East Side is closed for the summer)

• Indian Cove – Open (West Loop is closed for the summer)

• Cottonwood – Open (Loop B is closed for the summer)

• Ryan Campground – Closed for the summer

• Belle Campground – Closed for the summer

• White Tank Campground – Closed for the summer

Select a campground to view real-time availability and alerts.

 

Visitor Center Summer Hours

Some visitor centers operate on reduced hours during the summer.

• Black Rock Nature Center
  Open: Thursday–Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm
  Closed: Monday–Wednesday

• Joshua Tree Visitor Center (Joshua Tree) – Open daily, 7:30 am to 5 pm

• Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center (29 Palms) – Open daily, 8 am to 5 pm

• Cottonwood Visitor Center – Open daily, 8:30 am to 4 pm

 

Trail Closures

For visitor safety, certain trails may close seasonally due to high heat and wildlife usuage.

• 49 Palms Oasis Trail – Closed annually from June 1 – August 31

This trail is closed to prevent heat-related incidents, which are common due to its challenging terrain and lack of shade.

 

Fire Restrictions

Summer brings high wildfire risk. Park-wide fire restrictions in effect June 15 - October 1.

• No campfires or open flames
• No smoking within 10 feet of vegetation
• No charcoal fires, BBQs, or grills; self-contained gasstoves or grills allowed
• Restrictions apply to all areas of the park, including backcountry

Fire restrictions go into effect in late spring and remain until October 1st.

 

Stay Updated

Park conditions can change quickly during summer. Stay informed:

• Check alerts on NPS app

• View our Visiting in Summer page

• Follow @JoshuaTreeNPS for real-time updates