Joshua Tree National Park, National Park in California, United States
Joshua Tree National Park is a protected area in California covering 3196 square kilometers (1234 square miles) of dry terrain with distinct rock formations. The territory brings together sections of the Colorado and Mojave deserts, where different elevations support different plant and animal communities.
Native groups including the Serrano, Cahuilla, and Chemehuevi left rock art and pottery as evidence of their presence in the area. The territory became a national park in 1994 after decades of protection as a national monument.
Mormon settlers gave the trees their name after seeing upward branches that reminded them of arms raised in prayer. This 19th-century interpretation still shapes how visitors think about and talk about the desert plants today.
Nine campgrounds and several visitor centers spread across the desert terrain, along with more than 8000 kilometers (5000 miles) of trails suited to different skill levels. Summer visitors should plan to hike early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as midday heat can be intense.
The trees that give the park its name can grow up to 15 meters (49 feet) tall and depend entirely on a single moth species, the yucca moth, to reproduce. Without these moths, the plants cannot form seeds, making their survival completely tied to this small insect.
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