Joshua Tree National Park California near Yucca Inn & Suites Hotel

Within the boundaries of eastern California's Joshua Tree National Park in Yucca Valley, where the Sonoran and Mojave deserts meet. In the higher, Mojave portion of the park, a forest of strange Joshua Trees and a number of unique rock formations called Inselbergs are protected.

Joshua Tree National Park, encompasses one of the most interesting and diverse patches of desert in the United States. Its namesake species, the spiky, dramatically crooked Joshua tree, is also considered by many to be the defining characteristic of the Mojave Desert. But this huge desert park actually lies at the meeting point of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts: The park's eastern and southern precincts, with sub 3,000-foot elevation and plants such as creosote bush,"jumping" cholla cactus, and spidery ocotillo, is Sonoran in character; its western precincts are higher, cooler, wetter, and quite densely forested with the park's namesake tree.

One point of interest is the fact that the park has gained an international reputation amongst rock climbers. This means, during the winter season especially, you'll see many of these people climbing and dangling from ropes on some of the spectacular rock formations in the park. You are welcome to rock climb, but urged to remember that it can be dangerous, and you should never do it alone.

Should you be able to spend more than one day in the park, there are many more options open to you. Back-country camping is permitted, but notice to the ranger station is required. Books and topographical maps from the park centers give information needed for the longer hikes and camping trips.

Other known locations around Joshua Tree National Park Desert in Yucca Valley are places such as 29 Palms / Twentynine Palms home to the world's largest Marine Corps Base. It is the premier training facility in the world for Marine operations and draws military personnel from all over the world for Combined Arms Exercises.

Joshua Tree National Park is opened year round. Each season adds its personality to the desert's character. Two deserts come together at Joshua Tree National Park. The Colorado Desert, occupying the eastern half of the park, is dominated by the abundant creosote bush. The higher, slightly cooler and wetter Mojave Desert is the special habitat of the Joshua tree, extensive stands of which occur throughout the western half of the park.