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Joshua Tree National Park: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
- Private vehicle entrance
- $30[1]
- Busiest month (2025)
- March[2]
- Recreation visits, 2025
- 2,932,644[3]
- Campgrounds
- 12[4]
Joshua Tree National Park is a national park in California run by the National Park Service[5]. A private vehicle pays $30 for a 7-day entry[1], and the park stays open 24 hours a day all year[6].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
| Fee or pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Private Vehicle[1] | $30 |
| Motorcycle[7] | $25 |
| Per Person[8] | $15 |
| Annual Entrance - Park[9] | $55 |
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[10].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[11] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[11] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[11] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[11] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[11] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[11] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[11] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[11] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[11] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
NPS lists the park as open at all hours, every day of the year[6]. Visitor centers set their own schedules, and some spots are for day use only[6]. Spring and fall bring the most pleasant weather, with average highs near 85°F and lows near 50°F[12]. Summer days go above 100°F, and winter nights can drop below freezing[12]. In 2025 the busiest month was March with 411,993 visits[2], and the quietest was July with 139,664[2].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 278,104 |
| February | 298,792 |
| March | 411,993 |
| April | 341,516 |
| May | 230,328 |
| June | 155,366 |
| July | 139,664 |
| August | 142,794 |
| September | 148,905 |
| October | 163,674 |
| November | 295,800 |
| December | 325,708 |
Camping
NPS and Recreation.gov list 12 campgrounds in the park[4]. The largest is Jumbo Rocks Campground with 124 sites, followed by Indian Cove Campground with 114 sites[4]. Group sites are also available at Indian Cove, Sheep Pass and Cottonwood[4].
- Jumbo Rocks Campground, 124 sites[4]
- Indian Cove Campground, 114 sites
- Black Rock Campground, 99 sites
- Cottonwood Campground, 62 sites
- Hidden Valley Campground, 44 sites
- Ryan Campground, 37 sites
- Black Rock Equestrian Campground, 21 sites
- Belle Campground, 18 sites
- White Tank Campground, 15 sites
- Indian Cove Group, 13 sites
- Sheep Pass Group, 6 sites
- Cottonwood Group, 3 sites
Pets and dogs
Under the national rule, pets must be on a leash of six feet or less, or kept in a crate or cage, wherever they are allowed[13]. They cannot go into public buildings, with an exception for service animals[13]. NPS marks 5 of the park's listed activities as pet friendly, including Drive Park Boulevard and Hike Oasis of Mara[14].
Before you go
- The vehicle fee covers everyone in one non-commercial car for 7 days[1].
- If you come back often, NPS lists a park annual pass at $55[9].
- The park honors the America the Beautiful pass[10]. NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80 for US citizens and residents[11].
- NPS says 7 of the listed activities need a reservation[14].
- Fees and hours can change, so check the official NPS page before you go.
Questions people ask
- How much is the entrance fee for Joshua Tree National Park?
- NPS lists $30 for a private vehicle[1], $25 for motorcycles[7] and $15 per person on foot or bike[8]. Each is good for 7 days[1][7][8].
- When is the best time to visit Joshua Tree?
- NPS says spring and fall have the most comfortable temperatures[12]. March 2025 had the most visits at 411,993[2], and NPS says visitation peaks during the spring wildflower season[6].
- Are dogs allowed in Joshua Tree National Park?
- Pets must be leashed on a lead of six feet or less, or crated, where allowed[13]. NPS lists 5 activities where pets are permitted, such as Drive Park Boulevard[14].
Facts and sources
- Entrance fee, Private Vehicle: $30. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 3,064,400, 2022: 3,058,294, 2023: 3,270,404, 2024: 2,991,874, 2025: 2,932,644. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park (list on this page). National Park Service
- Joshua Tree National Park is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Park) in California. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Joshua Tree National Park: Joshua Tree National Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Visitation increases as temperatures moderate in the fall, peaks during the spring wildflower season, and diminishes during the... National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Motorcycle: $25. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Per Person: $15. National Park Service
- Annual Entrance - Park: $55. National Park Service
- Joshua Tree National Park accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Joshua Tree National Park. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 48 things to do at Joshua Tree National Park: Stargazing at Joshua Tree, Hike Cholla Cactus Garden, Hike Skull Rock, Attend a Ranger Stroll, Birding at Joshua Tree, Hike Boy Scout Trail, Hike Fortynine Palms Oasis, Drive Park Boulevard, Hike... National Park Service