Joshua Tree Fast Facts

Five Random Facts About Joshua Tree

Minerva Hoyt, a resident of Pasadena, was concerned about the removal of cacti and other plants to the gardens of Los Angeles. Her efforts to protect this area lead to 825,000 acres being set aside as Joshua Tree National Monument in 1936.

As part of the Desert Protection Bill, Joshua Tree National Monument was elevated to national park status on October 31, 1994. The bill also added 234,000 acres. This same act also elevated Death Valley National Park to its current size and status.

Early explorer John Fremont described Joshua trees as “the most repulsive tree in the vegetable kingdom”.

Mormon pioneers were more impressed by the trees. They thought the limbs of the Joshua trees resembled the upstretched arms of Joshua leading them to the promised land, and the tree’s name is thought to have come from them.

More than 550,000 acres of Joshua Tree National Park’s nearly 800,000 acres are designated as wilderness.

Where is Joshua Tree National Park?

Joshua Tree National Park is located in the desert of southern California, east of the Palm Springs area. The cities of Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley are near the northern boundary of the park, and act as good base cities for a visit. Further directions and maps can be found at Getting to Joshua Tree.