NPS Banner and Picture of Queen Valley overlooking Ryan Mountain
Friends and Neighbors, Our Summer Season is Here!
As we enter into Summer we want to provide some project updates and other Park information. For questions regarding any of the updates below please give us an email at jotr_planning@nps.gov

Dealing with the Heat. Although Joshua Tree (JOTR) is a year-round park, our visitation starts to decline in May and June due to the extreme heat. So where other parks enter their off-season in the winter, our off-season is the summer. If you plan on visiting us during the summer visit our website for existing conditions at different park locations, and our guide to preparing for a visit to the park during hot temperatures.
Belle Campground
Proposed Campground Fee Increase
JOTR strives to make our campgrounds affordable and accessible to the public. They are clean, conveniently located, and available all year for our visiting public to enjoy during their stay at JOTR. In the past five years, camp night stays have increased 23% and campgrounds are at or near capacity 6 out of 12 months of the year. With increased overnight stays and the addition of a reservations system, customer service demand has increased including: greater need for support for campers (answering questions, emails, and calls); more frequent bathroom cleaning and pumping vault toilets; additional campground dumpsters and more frequent trash/recycle removal; and need for rangers to ensure a safe visit that protects the park and provides a National Park Service quality experience. 
 
To meet this increase in customer demand and use, JOTR proposes a campground fee increase to hire additional park staff to maintain high visitor satisfaction. Hiring additional park staff allows us to enhance our customer support and have a greater presence in campgrounds to better address common campground issues such as: campground noise complaints; unattended food; trash disposal; graffiti; and campsite poaching.
 
JOTR proposes to increase fees $5/night for all of our campgrounds. Campgrounds charging $15 would be $20/night, those that cost $20 would increase to $25/night, and those charging $25 increase to $3. For more information on specific campground cost changes being proposed and to provide your comments on this proposal please visit us at: JOTR Campground Rate Increase 2021
Climbing Management Plan - Get in Your Comments!

On May 4, 2021 the park asked the public to participate in our planning process for the Climbing Management Plan (CMP). The park presented information on its website and held a virtual public meeting regarding why a CMP is necessary and what the plan would need to be address in order to produce a successful plan.

To date the park has received comments from 336 individuals and/or organizations. There is still time to provide your comments, comments are being accepted through June 13. Review the links above and add your comments here.

** The park may go out for additional review and comment on specific aspects of the plan in the next few months so please stay engaged as we continue to develop the plan.
Desired Conditions and Park Zone Changes

The National Park Service is working to improve the visitor experience and to enhance protection of natural and cultural resources at Joshua Tree National Park. As part of this effort, the park has been refining their management zones and defining desired conditions for those zones—specifically focusing on Day Use, Overnight Use, and Rock-Based Recreation (climbing, bouldering).

Desired conditions are statements of aspiration that describe resource conditions, visitor experiences and opportunities, and facilities and services that the agency strives to achieve and maintain in a particular area. Desired condition descriptions
paint a picture of what an area looks, feels, sounds, and functions like under optimal
conditions.

For an overview of Desired Conditions and the zone changes the park is proposing view our Storymap. The park will be asking for public feedback on zones and conditions, with plans to announce availability for comment in the coming weeks.

Plan Like a Park Ranger

Plan your trip to JOTR like a Park Ranger. A little trip planning can ensure that your only surprises are happy ones. To help everyone have a great experience, JOTR National Park Service rangers share their Top 10 Insider Tips.

#PlanLikeAParkRanger.
Download the New NPS App

One app, every park at your fingertips. The NPS App is the new official app for the National Park Service with tools to explore more than 400 national parks nationwide. Find interactive maps, tours of park places, on-the-ground accessibility information, and much more to plan your national park adventures before and during your trip. Click here for more information.
Picture of Joshua Tree Superintendent David Smith
Image: David Smith, Superintendent
If you have any questions please call us or send us an email:

Sincerely,
David A. Smith, Superintendent

(760) 367-5522
jotr_planning@nps.gov