Joshua Tree National Park

Where Two Deserts Meet

Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California.

The name Joshua tree is commonly said to have been given by a group of Mormon settlers crossing the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century: The tree’s role in guiding them through the desert combined with its unique shape reminded them of a Biblical account in which Joshua keeps his hands reached out for an extended period of time in order to guide the Israelites in their conquest of Canaan (Joshua 8:18-26).

Come explore for yourself!

Joshua Trees

Cholla Cactus Garden at Joshua Tree NP
Mountain backdrop among the Cholla Cactus
Cholla Cactus up close
“Skull Rock”
Looking for that Wile E. Coyote – BEEP! BEEP!
Here’s the coyote, now, where is RoadRunner?
Inspired, the Irish rock band, U2 named their album; “The Joshua Tree”
Me & the “Mrs. – notice the stylish -“hand on hip” pose
Wandering aimlessly – looking for that next “Discovery Outdoors”