Joshua Tree National Park sits in the high desert of Southern California, about two hours east of Los Angeles and roughly equidistant from San Diego and Las Vegas. It's one of the most accessible national parks in the country — but that doesn't mean navigation is foolproof. The park has three separate entrances, cell service disappears once you're inside, and the wrong turn can add an hour to your day.
This guide gives you everything you need to get there confidently: step-by-step directions from every major city, the right entrance for your visit, parking tips, and what to have downloaded before you leave home.
Quick Answer
From Los Angeles: take I-10 East, exit onto Highway 62 North, and follow Park Boulevard to the West Entrance — 135 miles, about 2.5–3 hours. Download your maps offline before you leave. Cell service inside the park is unreliable, and the West Entrance puts you directly at the park's most iconic terrain.
The 3 Entrances to Joshua Tree National Park
Most first-time visitors don't realize Joshua Tree has three separate vehicle entrances on opposite sides of the park. Which one you use changes your entire experience of the day — so choose intentionally.
Best for Most Visitors
West Entrance
Off Highway 62 near the town of Joshua Tree. Puts you directly at Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, Keys View, and Barker Dam — the park's signature terrain. Best for visitors from LA, Las Vegas, or San Diego.
Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Visitor Center Access
North Entrance
Off Highway 62 in Twentynine Palms, further east. Best if you want to start at the Oasis Visitor Center, get a park map, or are arriving from the east side of the valley.
Utah Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
South / I-10 Access
Cottonwood Entrance
Off I-10 at Cottonwood Springs Road. Best for visitors coming directly from the south or those wanting to see the Cholla Cactus Garden and lower Sonoran Desert landscape first.
Cottonwood Springs Rd, Chiriaco Summit, CA 92201
Directions from Los Angeles
The LA-to-Joshua Tree drive is one of the most popular desert road trips in Southern California. The route is straightforward, the highway is well-maintained, and the landscape transforms dramatically as you climb out of the basin into the high desert.
1
Take I-10 East from downtown LA toward Palm Springs. The freeway is well-signed throughout.
2
Pass through the Inland Empire — Ontario, Fontana, San Bernardino — and continue east through Palm Springs.
3
Take the Highway 62 (Twentynine Palms Hwy) exit northeast of Palm Springs (Exit 117). Head north on Hwy 62 into the high desert.
4
Drive through Yucca Valley and the town of Joshua Tree on Highway 62. Gas up here — this is your last reliable stop before the park.
5
Turn south onto Park Boulevard (well-signed). Follow Park Blvd to the West Entrance station — pay the $35 fee and enter the park.
Pro tip: Leave by 5:30–6am on weekends to avoid LA traffic and arrive before crowds build at trailhead parking lots. The drive through the Cajon Pass can slow significantly on Friday evenings.
Directions from San Diego
San Diego visitors have two solid options: the northern route via I-15 and I-10 (most direct), or the scenic route through Anza-Borrego via Highway 78. Both land around the same total drive time.
1
Take I-15 North from San Diego toward Riverside.
2
Merge onto I-10 East toward Palm Springs. Continue through the desert into the Coachella Valley.
3
Take the Highway 62 exit north of Palm Springs and head north into the high desert.
4
Drive through Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree town. Turn south on Park Boulevard to the West Entrance.
Scenic alternative: Take I-8 East to Highway 79 North through Julian, then east through Borrego Springs on Highway 78. Longer but stunning desert scenery — and you can stop at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park on the way. Adds about 45 minutes to the drive.
Directions from Las Vegas
The Vegas-to-Joshua Tree drive is one of the great American desert road trips. You'll cross the Mojave, pass through Baker (home of the world's tallest thermometer), and drop down into the high desert. Gas up before you leave the Las Vegas area — stations are sparse between Baker and the park.
1
Take I-15 South from Las Vegas through Primm and into California.
2
Continue south to Baker, CA. This is the best gas stop on the route — fill up here.
3
Take I-40 West (briefly) then south on Highway 62 — or continue on I-15 to I-10 West, then north on Hwy 62. Both work; I-15 to I-10 is slightly more direct.
4
Head north on Hwy 62 through Twentynine Palms. Turn south on Park Boulevard to the West Entrance.
Note: The stretch between Baker and the park can be very hot in summer. Make sure your car's cooling system is in good shape and keep extra water in the car for the drive — not just for the hike.
Directions from Phoenix
1
Take I-10 West from Phoenix toward Blythe and the California border.
2
Cross into California and continue west through Blythe. Keep going on I-10 toward Indio/Palm Springs.
3
Option A (South Entrance): Exit at Cottonwood Springs Road near Chiriaco Summit and enter the park from the south. Best if you want to see Cholla Cactus Garden and the lower desert first.
4
Option B (West Entrance): Continue on I-10 to the Highway 62 exit north of Palm Springs, then follow directions above to the West Entrance. Adds about 45 minutes but puts you at the heart of the park.
Gas and food: Stop in Indio or the Palm Springs area before heading into the park. Options thin out on the Hwy 62 corridor east of Palm Springs.
Before You Go: Navigation Tips
▼ Download Maps Offline
Cell service inside the park is essentially nonexistent. Before you leave home, download the NPS Joshua Tree app, AllTrails offline, or the Google Maps offline region for Joshua Tree. GPS still works without signal — but only with cached maps.
▼ Gas Up Before Entering
There are no gas stations inside the park. The last reliable stops are in the towns of Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree on Highway 62 (West Entrance approach), Twentynine Palms (North Entrance), or Indio/Coachella (Cottonwood Entrance via I-10).
▼ Arrive Before 9am on Weekends
All three entrance stations can back up with vehicles on busy weekend mornings. Popular trailhead parking lots (Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, Keys View) fill up by 10am on peak weekends. Pre-purchasing your entrance fee online at recreation.gov can save time at the gate.
▼ Know Which Entrance You're Using
The park is about 45 miles end-to-end. If you enter at the wrong gate for your planned itinerary, it can add significant drive time inside the park. Decide your entrance before you leave home based on where you're starting from and what you want to see.
▼ America the Beautiful Pass
The $80 annual pass covers unlimited entry to all national parks and federal recreation lands for 12 months. It pays for itself after 2–3 visits to fee-based parks. Available at the entrance station or in advance at recreation.gov or REI.
▼ Bring Extra Water for the Car
The desert stretches between cities and the park can be extreme in summer. Keep extra water in your car for the drive — not just for hiking. If your car overheats on a desert highway, you'll want it.
Parking at Joshua Tree
All parking inside Joshua Tree National Park is free with your entrance fee. There are large lots at all major trailheads, visitor centers, and overlooks. The catch: the most popular lots fill up fast.
On busy weekends, Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, and Keys View parking lots can be at capacity by 9:30–10am. If you arrive and find a lot full, keep driving to the next stop on your itinerary — lots turn over throughout the day. Never park along the road shoulder where it's not designated; rangers do issue citations and the desert landscape is fragile.
Once You're Inside the Park
The main park road — Park Boulevard — connects the West Entrance to the North Entrance and is about 25 miles end-to-end. Pinto Basin Road runs south from the main road through the park's lower desert down to the Cottonwood Entrance. Speed limits are 45 mph on the main road and lower near campgrounds and trailheads.
Watch for wildlife crossing the road, especially at dawn and dusk. Jackrabbits and coyotes are common. Bighorn sheep occasionally cross near the Wonderland of Rocks area. And if you're visiting after dark — which is worth doing — slow down significantly since there are no road lights inside the park.
Getting to Joshua Tree — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the address for Joshua Tree National Park?
Joshua Tree has three entrances, each with a different address. For the West Entrance (best for most visitors from LA): Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252. For the North Entrance in Twentynine Palms: Utah Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277. For the South (Cottonwood) Entrance off I-10: Cottonwood Springs Rd, Chiriaco Summit, CA 92201. In Google Maps, searching "Joshua Tree National Park West Entrance" will navigate you to the most popular gate.
How far is Joshua Tree from Los Angeles?
About 135 miles from downtown LA — roughly 2.5 to 3 hours via I-10 East and Highway 62 North to the West Entrance. From West LA, Santa Monica, or the Valley, add about 20–30 minutes. Leave by 6am on weekends to avoid significant traffic through the Inland Empire.
How far is Joshua Tree from Las Vegas?
About 225 miles from Las Vegas — roughly 3 to 3.5 hours via I-15 South to I-10 West, then north on Highway 62 to the West Entrance. Gas up in the Las Vegas area and again in Baker if needed. The Mojave stretch between Baker and the park can be hot and station-sparse in summer.
How far is Joshua Tree from San Diego?
About 155 miles from San Diego — roughly 2.5 to 3 hours via I-15 North to I-10 East, then north on Highway 62. A scenic alternative is through Anza-Borrego Desert via Highway 78 — a bit longer but a spectacular desert drive in its own right.
How many entrances does Joshua Tree National Park have?
Three: the West Entrance (off Highway 62 near Joshua Tree town), the North Entrance (off Highway 62 in Twentynine Palms), and the South Cottonwood Entrance (off I-10 near Chiriaco Summit). The West Entrance is the most popular and puts you closest to the park's iconic rock formations. All three charge the same $35 per vehicle entrance fee.
Which entrance is best for first-time visitors?
The West Entrance on Park Boulevard is best for most first-time visitors. It drops you directly at Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, Keys View, and Barker Dam — the areas most people picture when they think of Joshua Tree. The North Entrance in Twentynine Palms is a good alternative if you want to visit the Oasis Visitor Center first to pick up maps and talk to a ranger.
Is there cell service inside Joshua Tree National Park?
Very little, and unreliable in most of the park's interior. Most major carriers have no signal once you're more than a mile or two inside the park. Download offline maps — Google Maps offline, the NPS Joshua Tree app, or AllTrails offline — before you leave home. GPS navigation still works without a cell signal, as long as you have cached maps.
Where should I park at Joshua Tree?
All parking is free with your park entry. Major trailhead lots include Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, Keys View, Barker Dam, Cap Rock, and Cholla Cactus Garden. Popular lots fill by 9:30–10am on busy weekends, so arrive early. If a lot is full, continue to your next stop and circle back — turnover happens throughout the day. Never park on the road shoulder outside designated areas.
