Joshua Tree National Park

We are HUGE fans of our National Parks and when we are in the area of one, we always plan a visit. So when we ended our stay in Las Vegas, we planned a visit to Joshua Tree N.P. It is located 140 miles east of Los Angeles, 175 miles northeast of San Diego, and 215 miles southwest of Las Vegas. ... and a stone's throw off I-10. JTNP is a combination of three different ecosystems...the Colorado Desert, the Mojave Desert and the Little San Bernadino Mountains. Consequently there is great and unusual diversity of plant and animal life and it is for that reason that in 1936 the area was set aside and became Joshua Tree National Monument and upgraded to a National Park in 1994.

We camped at JTNP for a week and explored the park and the surrounding area. Humans have inhabited this land area for well over 5000 years including early civilization, Native American Indians, miners, cattlemen and homesteaders to name a few. The park has a wonderful museum explaining the culture and history of the area. The animal life is very typical of the desert ecosystem...lizards, snakes, insects, burrowing animals, although we only saw a little lizard.

Zebratail lizard we came across on our hike.

The most interesting geologic features and make for great photo-ops. You will find huge areas of sculpted rock. It has all taken shape over thousands of years from erosional forces of water and to a lesser degree of wind. It is truly a very stark beauty.

"Skull Rock"....one of many sculpted rock areas.......

..."trying to hold up the rock".....

White Tank formation....one of the many areas of piled and sculpted rocks

If you plan your visit to Joshua Tree N.P. from February to late March you will be witness to one of the most beautiful spectacles of the desert... the creamy-white candle-like blossoms of Joshua trees for which the park is named.

Joshua trees, which were not in bloom yet, and the Little San Bernadino Mts. in the background.