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Official Instagram of Joshua Tree National Park. We like photography, the desert, and keeping Joshua Tree Wild.
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Recent posts
Spooky is what we do… even down to our establishment! 👻
Today isn’t just Halloween…it’s also Joshua Tree National Park’s birthday! 🎂
On October 31, 1994, the California Desert Protection Act was signed into law, officially designating Joshua Tree as a national park.
Today, the park protects nearly 800,000 acres of public lands, providing a home to some of the desert’s coolest, creepiest, and downright spookiest critters. 🦂🦇🕷️
So this Halloween, we’re celebrating all things wild, weird, and wonderfully spooky, because around here, nature does spooky pretty well! 🎃
Photos by NPS
31 Oct 2026
🎶 Who is that tree I see…
staring straight back at me… 🎶
Reflection looks a little spiky today.
Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) may be desert dwellers, but that doesn’t mean they can live without water. These plants are remarkably adapted to dry conditions and can survive with far less water than most of us would find comfortable. Still, where that water falls helps explain where Joshua trees call home.
Joshua Tree National Park sits at the meeting place of two deserts: the Mojave and the Colorado. Joshua trees are characteristic of the higher, cooler Mojave Desert, where conditions generally provide more moisture than the hotter, lower-elevation Colorado Desert.
And when rain does arrive? Every drop counts.
Water supports growth and reproduction, and adequate moisture is particularly important for young Joshua trees trying to establish themselves. Those little trees have a long way to go before becoming the branching silhouettes that define the Mojave landscape.
So while this Joshua tree may only be admiring its reflection in a temporary pool, that water represents something pretty important in the desert.
💧 It may not take much, but life in the Mojave still depends on water.
Photo by NPS / Donovan Smith
05 Oct 2026
“Look it! Look it! It’s freaking bats!” 🦇🦇🦇
We love bats.
And here at Joshua Tree National Park, there are plenty to love! Sixteen species of bats have been documented in the park, each finding its own way to make a home in the desert.
Depending on the species, bats may roost in abandoned mines, cliffs, rock formations, trees, and palm oases. When the sun goes down, many emerge from their daytime hideaways and take to the desert skies in search of their next meal.
And that’s good news for all of us. 🦟➡️🦇
Bats are an important part of the desert ecosystem. Many of Joshua Tree’s bats are insect eaters, consuming moths, beetles, mosquitoes, and other insects throughout the night. By keeping insect populations in check, bats help maintain balance in the desert food web and provide a little natural pest control for those of us enjoying an evening under the stars.
So, the next time you notice something fluttering overhead around sunset, look up! You might be watching one of Joshua Tree’s nighttime residents clock in for the evening shift.
If you ever see a bat up close or on the ground, give it plenty of space.
Bats should never be touched. Handling wildlife can put both you and the animal at risk, and bats can carry diseases like rabies. Admire them from a distance and let them keep doing their important nighttime work! Photos taken during bat monitoring surveys.
Photos by NPS / Donovan Smith
01 Oct 2026
If you’re visiting the park on October, you might have a chance of seeing one of our Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii)! October can bring increased activity for them, including mating activity.
And they aren't always easy to spot!
Mojave desert tortoises come in a variety of sizes. Adults can grow to around a foot long, while younger tortoises can be much smaller. Their brown and tan shells also blend remarkably well with the rocks, gravel, and soil of the desert landscape.
When driving through the park:
• Slow down and stay alert.
• Scan the road ahead, especially in areas where wildlife may be crossing.
• Never intentionally drive toward or over a tortoise, even if you think your vehicle will clear it.
• Give tortoises plenty of space and observe wildlife from a distance.
If you encounter a tortoise in or near a roadway, remember that these wild desert residents are protected. Do not pick up, touch, or move a tortoise unless specifically directed by park staff.
A few extra seconds of attention behind the wheel can make a big difference for an animal that may have been roaming these deserts for decades. 🐢🌵
Drive slowly. Stay alert. Give tortoises a brake!
Photo by NPS / Samantha Laarman
Photo by NPS / Donovan Smith
28 Sep 2026
Desert season is almost here and soon will be the crowds!
As October approaches and temperatures cool, Joshua Tree National Park gets busy. Weekends, holidays, and other popular days can bring long entrance lines, full parking areas, and congestion at some of the park’s most popular destinations.
Planning a visit? A little preparation can go a long way:
🚗 Expect crowds and traffic. Entrance stations and popular areas may have long waits during peak periods. Give yourself extra time and pack some patience.
⏰ Timing matters. Consider visiting on a weekday or arriving outside the busiest hours when possible.
🅿️ If a parking lot is full, keep moving. Never park on vegetation or block traffic. Have a backup destination in mind and explore another part of the park.
💧 Come prepared. Bring plenty of water, food, sun protection, appropriate clothing, and everything you’ll need for your visit. Cell service is limited or nonexistent in much of the park.
🗺️ Know before you go. Download maps and plan your route before entering the park. Check current conditions, alerts, and other important information at nps.gov/jotr.
🌵 Help protect Joshua Tree. Stay on established roads and trails, leave plants and other natural objects where you find them, pack out your trash, and give wildlife plenty of space.
Busy days are easier for everyone when we plan ahead, stay flexible, and take care of this special desert landscape.
See you out there! 🌞
Photo by NPS / Samantha Laarman
Photo by NPS / Robert Zuniga
22 Sep 2026
Lend a hand and help Joshua trees, one seed at a time! 🌱
Looking for a way to give back to Joshua Tree National Park? Join our vegetation crew this October and help prepare Joshua tree seeds for a new generation of plants.
Volunteers will work alongside park staff to clean Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) seeds for use in the park’s native plant nursery. These seeds will be grown to support future restoration and preservation efforts throughout the park.
Two opportunities are available:
🌱 Tuesday, October 6
⏰ 1–4 p.m.
📋 Apply by September 26
🌱 Tuesday, October 20
⏰ 1–4 p.m.
📋 Apply by October 10
No seed-cleaning experience? No problem! Training and supervision will be provided by park staff. Along the way, volunteers will also have an opportunity to learn more about seeds native to the Mojave and Colorado deserts. 🦎🌞
Volunteers must live within two hours of the park, provide their own transportation, and meet the physical and safety requirements described in the listings.
Space is limited, and advance registration is required. For more information visit the link in our bio!
Photo by NPS / Sarinah Simons
21 Sep 2026
🎉 Finalist 5: Congratulations to Michelle Velasco for being selected as one of the Top 5 in our 2026 Photo Contest!
📸 Our 2026 Photo Contest has officially wrapped, and we’re excited to reveal this year’s finalists. A big congratulations to them, and sincere thanks to everyone who entered. Your creativity and talent made it a tough selection process.
🗳️ Now it’s your turn to help us choose the winner! Vote by simply liking your favorite finalist photo.
🌅 The image with the most likes by August 31st will be featured on the 2027 Joshua Tree National Park Annual Pass, and the winning photographer will also receive a complimentary pass. 🎟️
🏆 To view all five finalists, head to our feed. Thank you again to everyone who shared their unique perspective of Joshua Tree National Park with us!
01 Jan 1970
🎉 Finalist 4: Congratulations to Lacey Horner for being selected as one of the Top 5 in our 2026 Photo Contest!
📸 Our 2026 Photo Contest has officially wrapped, and we’re excited to reveal this year’s finalists. A big congratulations to them, and sincere thanks to everyone who entered. Your creativity and talent made it a tough selection process.
🗳️ Now it’s your turn to help us choose the winner! Vote by simply liking your favorite finalist photo.
🌅 The image with the most likes by August 31st will be featured on the 2027 Joshua Tree National Park Annual Pass, and the winning photographer will also receive a complimentary pass. 🎟️
🏆 To view all five finalists, head to our feed. Thank you again to everyone who shared their unique perspective of Joshua Tree National Park with us
01 Jan 1970
🎉 Finalist 3: Congratulations to Rahsaan McFarland ll for being selected as one of the Top 5 in our 2026 Photo Contest!
📸 Our 2026 Photo Contest has officially wrapped, and we’re excited to reveal this year’s finalists. A big congratulations to them, and sincere thanks to everyone who entered. Your creativity and talent made it a tough selection process.
🗳️ Now it’s your turn to help us choose the winner! Vote by simply liking your favorite finalist photo.
🌅 The image with the most likes by August 31st will be featured on the 2027 Joshua Tree National Park Annual Pass, and the winning photographer will also receive a complimentary pass. 🎟️
🏆 To view all five finalists, head to our feed. Thank you again to everyone who shared their unique perspective of Joshua Tree National Park with us!
01 Jan 1970
🎉 Finalist 2: Congratulations to Craig Stubing for being selected as one of the Top 5 in our 2026 Photo Contest!
📸 Our 2026 Photo Contest has officially wrapped, and we’re excited to reveal this year’s finalists. A big congratulations to them, and sincere thanks to everyone who entered. Your creativity and talent made it a tough selection process.
🗳️ Now it’s your turn to help us choose the winner! Vote by simply liking your favorite finalist photo.
🌅 The image with the most likes by August 31st will be featured on the 2027 Joshua Tree National Park Annual Pass, and the winning photographer will also receive a complimentary pass. 🎟️
🏆 To view all five finalists, head to our feed. Thank you again to everyone who shared their unique perspective of Joshua Tree National Park with us!
01 Jan 1970
🎉 Finalist 1: Congratulations to Ed Hunsinger for being selected as one of the Top 5 in our 2026 Photo Contest!
📸 Our 2026 Photo Contest has officially wrapped, and we’re excited to reveal this year’s finalists. A big congratulations to them, and sincere thanks to everyone who entered. Your creativity and talent made it a tough selection process.
🗳️ Now it’s your turn to help us choose the winner! Vote by simply liking your favorite finalist photo.
🌅 The image with the most likes by August 31st will be featured on the 2027 Joshua Tree National Park Annual Pass, and the winning photographer will also receive a complimentary pass. 🎟️
🏆 To view all five finalists, head to our feed. Thank you again to everyone who shared their unique perspective of Joshua Tree National Park with us!
01 Jan 1970
The 11th Annual Night Sky Festival is fast approaching! 🔭✨
Join us for a family-friendly weekend celebrating the spectacular night skies of the Mojave Desert!
Explore the cosmos with:
🔭 Constellation tours & telescope clinics
🚀 Hands-on science activities
🌟 Inspiring lectures from world-renowned astronomers
👨👩👧👦 Family Space Camp
✨ A glow-themed event
🌌 An unforgettable stargazing experience
Whether you’re a seasoned skywatcher or simply curious about the universe above, there’s something for everyone!
🎟️ Reservations are required.
For more information on events during the weekend, please visit the link in our bio.
Photo by NPS / Samantha Laarman
22 Aug 2026
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