National Park Week starts today, Saturday, April 18, and entrance into Joshua Tree National Park will be free today and tomorrow. The theme of National Park Week is “Find Your Park”, and the public is invited to share their experiences, feelings, or sense of American pride about their parks at FindYourPark.com. Joshua Tree National Park will have a wide range of activities for kids and families on National Junior Ranger Day, Saturday, April 25. Here’s a full list of activities for the kids’ day—“Find Your Cool in the Desert: Explore, Learn, and Protect.”
National Junior Ranger day is April 25, “Find Your Cool in the Desert: Explore, Learn, Protect.” Be sure to pick up your “Find Your Cool in the Desert” Card at any of the visitor centers to help plan for the day.
9:00 a.m. – “I Speak for the Trees” at Echo T Parking lot
9:00 a.m. The Sound of the Desert with Arizona State University Listening Project at Barker Dam
10:00 a.m. Patio Talks Cottonwood Visitor Center, Joshua Tree Visitor Center, Oasis Visitor Center
10:00 a.m. Cholla Cactus Garden
10:00 a.m. Barker Dam Hike
10:00 a.m.-noon Meet the Rangers
Law enforcement rangers at Cap Rock
Maintenance Rangers at Oasis Visitor Center
Fire Fighter Rangers at Black Rock
Park Nursery Rangers at Park Nursery at Oasis Visitor Center
1:00 p.m. Oasis Walk
1:00 p.m.– 3:00 p.m. Meet the Rangers
Law enforcement rangers at Cap Rock
Maintenance Rangers at Oasis Visitor Center
Fire Fighter Rangers at Black Rock
Park Nursery Rangers at Park Nursery at Oasis Visitor Center
1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Wilderness Jr. Ranger Program – Oasis Visitor Center
1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Paleontology Jr. Ranger Program at Joshua Tree Visitor Center
2:00 p.m. Story Time with a Ranger at Joshua Tree Visitor Center
2:00 p.m. “In the Shadow of the Mountain” Hike at Turkey Flats Backcountry Board
8:00 p.m. Evening programs at Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks, and Black Rock Campgrounds
Stories in the Stars – Cottonwood Campground Amphitheater
Room to Roam: Exploring the Value of Wilderness in Joshua Tree National Park -Jumbo Rocks Campground
Discover the Ancient Giants of Joshua Tree National Park at Indian Cove Campground Amphitheater
The Listen Project: Encouraging Environmental Stewardship through Acoustic Ecology and Sonic Awareness in American Southwest Deserts at Black Rock Nature Center
Be sure you get the ranger’s signature at each event you attend on your Jr. Ranger Day; you can pick up “Find Your Cool in the Desert” Card at any of the visitor centers or activity spots. Come out Find your Park and find your cool in the desert at Joshua Tree National Park.
