National Park Week starts this Saturday, April 16, and to celebrate, all national parks, including Joshua Tree National Park, have waived their entrance fees through April 24. As part of National Park Week, the park will have a booth at the Earth Day celebration at the Yucca Valley Community Center from 9 to 2, where kids can make a Joshua tree out of balloon debris collected inside the park. Sunday, April 17, is Junior Ranger Day at Joshua Tree National Park, and the park has planned several activities for kids ages 3 to 14 at the Oasis and Joshua Tree Visitor Centers, as well as a hike at the Boy Scout Trail in the park. For more information about specific activities, see this story at Z1077fm.com.
Sunday, April 17
9:30am – 11:30am – Oasis Visitor Center:
Centennial Junior Ranger Station
In 2016, the National Park Service turns 100 years old! Come learn about the National Park Service and pick up a Centennial Junior Ranger booklet. Upon completion of the booklet, kids will earn a Centennial Junior Ranger badge.
11:00am – Oasis Visitor Center:
Junior Ranger Discovery Walk (1-1.5 hours, 0.5 mile)
especially for families with children! This short hike will help kids on their way to earning a Joshua Tree National Park Junior Ranger badge.
1:30pm – 3:30pm – Joshua Tree Visitor Center:
Junior Ranger Paleontology Station
Come discover ice age fossils and complete a short activity with a ranger. Activity will help kids on their way to earning a Paleontology Junior Ranger badge.
2:00pm – Boy Scout Trailhead (west entrance):
Junior Ranger Wilderness Walk (1-1.5 hours, 1 mile)
Explore wilderness with a ranger! This short hike will help kids on their way to earning a Wilderness Junior Ranger patch. Please bring water and sun protection.
On Saturday, April 16-9am-2pm, Joshua Tree National Park will have a booth at the HI-Desert Nature Museum in Yucca Valley at Earth Day festivities. Celebrate with us by making a Joshua Tree from balloon debris collected in the park. NPS Centennial Hiking Challenge booklets will be available. Use the Hiking Challenge book to explore the many hiking trails in the park and earn stickers to record your completed routes.
