Joshua Tree Wilderness
The California Desert Protection Act of 1994 transformed Joshua Tree National Monument into a national park and expanded the Wilderness. The additions thrust north into the Pinto Mountains, northeast into the Coxcomb Mountains, southeast into the Eagle Mountains, and southwest into the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Most of the park away from road corridors is Wilderness, a fabulous meeting place of two desert ecosystems. The lower, drier Colorado Desert dominates the eastern half of the park, home to abundant creosote bushes, the spidery ocotillo, and the "jumping" cholla cactus. The slightly more cool and moist Mojave Desert covers the western half of the park, serving as a hospitable breeding ground for the undisciplined Joshua tree.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | National Park Service |
| State | California |
| Size | 595,364 acres |
| Designated | 1976, by Congress |
| Center point | 33.99° N, 115.45° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 36) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Weather by month
Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.
Where to camp
None of the 9 federal campgrounds within ten miles sit inside the boundary. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Show 1 moreHide
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 0.8 miChemehuevi Cemetery ↗Twentynine Palms, CA
- 9.3 miSteel Development House Number 2 ↗Palm Springs, CA
- 9.4 miRiviera Gardens ↗Palm Springs, CA
- 9.8 miTramway Gas Station ↗Palm Springs, CA
- 9.9 miMiller, Grace Lewis, House ↗Palm Springs, CA
- 10.2 miBel Vista House at 1150 N. Calle Rolph ↗Palm Springs, CA
- 10.3 miBel Vista House ↗Palm Springs, CA
- 10.3 miCarey House ↗Palm Springs, CA
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Joshua Tree Wilderness?
595,364 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Joshua Tree Wilderness?
The National Park Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Joshua Tree Wilderness in?
California.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Joshua Tree Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1976.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Joshua Tree Wilderness?
Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities, and the managing agency page has the permit rules. The federal campgrounds within ten miles are listed under Where to camp.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Joshua Tree Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 33.989° N, 115.447° W. Joshua Tree National Park is 1 mile away. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Which national parks are near Joshua Tree Wilderness?
Joshua Tree National Park (1 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
Are there historic places near Joshua Tree Wilderness?
The National Register has 36 listings within 15 miles, including Chemehuevi Cemetery and Steel Development House Number 2.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.