Joshua Tree National Park asks you to plan your visit “like a park ranger” with these top-ten tips:
1. Leave no trace; take only photos and leave only footprints.
2. Always leave a note when going hiking; for an emergency or to report a missing person, call 909-383-5651 or 911.
3. Pack your patience; the park is often crowded.
4. Take the road less traveled; to escape the crowds, cruise Pinto Basin Road and its many pullouts, or have a picnic at Live Oak Picnic Area
5. Bring water; there is no potable water in the Park.
6. For the best parking, arrive before 9 a.m., and never park on the vegetation.
7. Plan for your pet; pets are only allowed on roads and in campgrounds, never on trails or in the wilderness.
8. The best sunsets are everywhere; some of our ranger favorites are Cap Rock, The Cholla Cactus Garden, Quail Springs, and along the Ryan Mountain Trail.
9. Have backup plans; unbearable heat or sudden downpours might affect your trip, so be flexible.
10. Download the new free National Park app and follow prompts for online content; there is no cell service in the park.
