Joshua Tree National Park: The History of the Wild West and the Adventure of the New West!

History of Joshua Tree National Park

During the more verdant era of the Pleistocene, a slow-moving river wound through the now-dry Pinto Basin and helped to support one of the Southwest's earliest cultures – the hunter-gatherers known as the Pinto people. The Pinto left behind the first evidence of human habitation in this region, but the Serrano, the Cahuilla, and the Chemehuevi left their mark, too.

In the early 1800s, this region was popular for cattle drivers who took advantage of the then ample grasslands and water impoundments they constructed. Of course, miners set about digging tunnels in search of gold, and eventually, permanent homesteaders made their way here in the early 1900s and constructed cabins, wells, and planted crops in the fertile lands.

All these early groups left behind some semblance of their existence, and the park protects more than 500 archeological sites, 19 cultural landscapes, 88 historic structures, and almost 125,000 items are in the museum collections. The most notable of the collections documenting the history of Joshua Tree National Park is the Campbell Collections, filled with prehistoric artifacts and photographs. The various collections on display at the Joshua Tree National Park Museum also inform visitors about, plants, and animals that thrived here.

This preserved area was first established as a National Monument in 1936, and its earliest residents were the primary visitors. However, as California grew in population so did Joshua Tree's visitors, and in 1994 it was established as an official National Park. Now millions come to visit this special place each year, and it's only three hours from major cities with tens of millions of residents.

Attractions and Activities at Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park protects representative portions of two distinct desert worlds. The lower, eastern portion of the park, mostly below 3000 feet in elevation, is warmer and drier. This Colorado Desert plant community includes mesquite, yucca, creosote bushes, and cholla cactus gardens while prairie rattlers, jackrabbits, kangaroo rats, and roadrunners scamper along the desert floor. The Barker Dam is a great place to spot and take photographs of the park's wildlife and flora.

The higher elevations to the west are both wetter and cooler, with plant communities popular classified as the Mojave Desert. Various locations favor wildlife including desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, and fauna such as pinyon pine, scrub oak, California junipers, but most notably is the presence of the unusual Joshua tree. Each Joshua tree supports a complex web of life that includes birds, insects, and tiny yucca night lizards that may spend their entire lives in a single Joshua tree.

Hiking trails in Joshua Tree National Park are navigable, and there are 12 trails that are easily hiked on one's own. Biking is another fashionable way to see the park, with 20 minutes treks up to Keys View offering panoramic vistas all the way to Mexico that are not to be forgotten. Rock climbers revel in the various range of challenging terrain among the 8000 rock climbing routes within Joshua Tree that beckon enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Ranger and park-led programs are a surefire hit with several options for all. The Keys Ranch Tour lets guest explore where homesteaders Bill and Frances Keys raised their kids and lived for 60 years while the Cholla Cactus Garden tour is a delightful exploration of the Pinto Basin's flora. The Ryan Ranch Ramble takes guests to the trailhead to learn more about Joshua Tree's cultural history, and the Cottonwood Canyon Walk and Cap Rock Discovery Hike let trekkers see more nature and learn more about the desert animals that live here.

Seasonally, the creatures and plants at Joshua Tree National Park have learned to survive extreme conditions. Summers are extremely hot even at nighttime, yet the winter month's evenings may be freezing. Spring and fall are the most comfortable months to vacation at the park with temperatures ranging between 50-85 degrees. The park is open year round.

Lodging at Joshua Tree National Park – Discover Joshua Tree Lodges

Joshua Tree National Park Lodging is as varied as the environment itself, with several great lodges near Joshua Tree. Those looking for a private home rental near Joshua Tree National Park can choose from 12 lovely homes, each boasting at least 5 acres of private Mojave Desert and expansive views of the region at the Joshua Desert Retreats – a discerning home away from home.

Those desiring a little pampering and proximity to amenities like world-class golf at the Palm Springs Desert Championship courses and shopping at the Desert Hills Factory stores will love the Miracle Springs Resort & Spa. Take respite in the natural hot pools, play some tennis, or enjoy the views overlooking the valley. Just minutes from the park, Miracle Springs Resort & Spa offers spectacular lodging at Joshua Tree National Park.