The higher, moister, and slightly cooler Mojave Desert is the special habitat of the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), from which the park gets its name. In addition to Joshua tree forests, the western part of the park includes some of the most interesting geologic displays found in California's deserts. The dominant geologic features of this landscape are hills of bare rock, usually broken up into loose boulders. These hills are a bonanza for rock climbing and scrambling enthusiasts. The flatland between these hills is sparsely forested with Joshua trees. Together with the boulder piles, the trees make the landscape otherworldly. Five Washingtonia fan palm oases in the park are the few areas where water occurs naturally and wildlife abounds.
At least 240 species of birds have been observed in the park. A good place to view wildlife is at Barker Dam, a short hike from a parking area near Hidden Valley. Desert Bighorn Sheep sometimes stop by the dam for a drink. Tours of the Barker Dam area are available.
Recreation in Joshua Tree National Park
Lake in Joshua Tree National Park
Sunset at Black Rock campground
Campgrounds in the park are few, mostly without a supply of water, so most visitors are required either to day-trip or stay at a hotel in a nearby town. Roads and hiking trails are also quite sparse. A dirt road in the south of the park showcases the region's geology. The lookout point at Keys View, also towards the south, offers views of the Coachella Valley and Salton Sea. Tours of an abandoned gold mine are available. The easiest ways to enjoy the park are to drive around and climb some boulder hills.
The park is extremely popular with rock climbers (who often refer to it as "J-Tree"). It was originally a winter practice area while Yosemite Valley and other parts of the Sierra Nevada were snowbound, but later became an area of interest in its own right. There are literally thousands of named climbing routes, at all levels of difficulty. The routes are typically short, the rocks being rarely more than 70 m (230 ft) in height, but access is usually a short, easy walk through the desert, and it's possible to do a number of interesting climbs in a single day. The rocks are all composed of quartz monzonite, a very rough type of granite made even more so as there is no snow or ice to polish it as in places like Yosemite. Most climbs are single pitch with all possible difficulty levels.
Musician Gram Parsons was a frequent visitor and rock climber. Upon his death, his friends hijacked his coffin and performed an amateur cremation near his favorite rock. Legend has it that Parson's ghost haunts the area, manifesting itself in faint guitar music.
