News Release

Prepare for High Traffic in Joshua Tree National Park During Holiday Season

Cars, trucks, and vans crowded into a parking area.

NPS / Michael Faist

News Release Date: November 16, 2023

Contact: Donovan Smith

The winter holidays often bring heavy traffic to Joshua Tree National Park. Crowded conditions create limited parking, full campgrounds, and lines at park entrances. High traffic is anticipated on most weekends and during the week of Thanksgiving and the two weeks around Christmas and New Year's Day.  
 
Here are some tips on how to have a successful visit to Joshua Tree National Park:  

• Buy a digital pass ahead of time by logging onto www.recreation.gov. This pass will make entry to the park quicker and easier.
• Avoid entering the park between 10 am and 2 pm and avoid exiting the park around sunset. 
• The park may become drive-through only as the parking lots reach maximum capacity during times of extreme visitation. Visitors may be turned away from popular parking areas.   
• Be flexible with plans. The best hike may be the one where parking is readily available. Always be prepared with adequate food and water and let someone know where you will be hiking. There is no cell phone coverage inside the park.  
• Visitors can park along many, but not all, roadsides. Never drive over a curb or onto vegetation to make a new parking space. 
• Weekdays are usually less crowded than weekends—consider visiting the park Monday through Thursday. 
• Make a reservation at www.recreation.gov to reserve one of the 350 reservable campsites in the park. If there are no reservation sites available, there likely will not be first-come, first-served sites available as they fill up quick. Look to one of the private campgrounds adjacent to the park and plan ahead. 
• If you plan to watch sunset from inside the park, established parking along Park Blvd is the best option.  
• Find a new favorite spot to explore in the park. There is no one best campsite, trail, or sunset spot. 

Thank you all for your continued stewardship and love of Joshua Tree National Park.