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Official Press Releases
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2/1/2023
TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA — Backpackers can now obtain backpacking permits digitally at recreation.gov as of February 1, 2023, and the new system will be fully implemented on March 1, 2023. During the month of February as the system transitions, backpackers may continue to self-register at backcountry trailheads, and can book permits online for dates after March 1. After March 1, the self-registration, paper-based permits will be prohibited.


1/10/2023
The Joshua Tree National Park Association recently announced Copper Mountain College’s Ms. Kaeliegh Watson as the 2023 recipient of the Pasadena Garden Club’s Minerva Hamilton Hoyt Internship. Now in its fifth year, the internship is awarded annually to a CMC student majoring in STEM with a GPA of 3.0 or better.

7/2/2022
The Joshua Tree National Park Association is pleased to announce Frazier Haney as the 2021 Minerva Hoyt Conservation Award recipient.

6/1/2022
Beginning today, Wednesday, June 1, 2022, Joshua Tree National Park managers will close the 49 Palms Trail to allow bighorn sheep undisturbed access to surface water.

7/29/2021
The Joshua Tree National Park Association is pleased to announce Dr. Cameron Barrows from the University of California, Riverside’s Center for Conservation Biology as the 2020 Minerva Hoyt Conservation Award recipient.

1/5/2021
The Joshua Tree National Park Association recently announced Copper Mountain College’s Ms. Meghan Udell as the 2021 recipient of the Pasadena Garden Club’s Minerva Hamilton Hoyt Internship.

10/22/2020
The Joshua Tree National Park Association is pleased to announce its participation in the Desert Visions Photography Contest sponsored by Erem!

4/16/2020
The Joshua Tree National Park Association is pleased to announce David Lamfrom, the Southeast Regional Director for the National Parks Conservation Association and longtime advocate for the California deserts, as the recipient of the 2019 Minerva Hoyt Conservation Award.

12/3/2019
The Joshua Tree National Park Association is pleased to announce that Julijana Soares has been selected as the 2020 recipient of the Pasadena Garden Club’s Minerva Hamilton Hoyt Internship.

10/7/2019
A multimedia art exhibition by ecologist and Joshua Tree National Park artist-in-residence Dr. Juniper Harrower, will open on Friday, October 18, as the inaugural show at the new Black Rock Art Gallery located in Joshua Tree National Park.

9/18/2019
Joshua Tree National Park and the Morongo Basin Transit Authority will not be offering the free Roadrunner Shuttle Service in the fall of 2019.

9/16/2019
Joshua Tree National Park staff invites the public to attend a meeting exploring future park management strategies related to visitation and capacity issues.

8/28/2019
Joshua Tree National Park staff will reopen all campgrounds on August 30, 2019, in anticipation of the upcoming busy season.

7/31/2019
On August 10, Joshua Tree National Park celebrates a birthday.

7/18/2019
Park officials are closing the area to visitors for safety, as well as to reduce moisture from cars which attracts bees in the summer.

7/1/2019
Park officials want to remind visitors to be extra vigilant with fire during the upcoming 4th of July holiday.

3/11/2019
The Joshua Tree National Park Association is pleased to announce Robin Kobaly, a professional biologist with over twenty years of experience as an interpretive specialist, as the recipient of the 2018 Minerva Hoyt Conservation Award.

2/7/2019
The Joshua Tree National Park Association has announced a day long community thank you event on Tuesday, February 12.

2/4/2019
Due to heavy rain activity on Saturday, February 2, park officials have closed all dirt roads in the park.

1/28/2019
With the enactment of the continuing resolution, staff at Joshua Tree National Park have resumed regular operations.

1/10/2019
Previously announced temporary closure no longer necessary.

1/8/2019
The Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA) will reopen its Joshua Tree Visitor Center (JTVC) effective immediately.

5/9/2018
The Joshua Tree National Park Association has awarded the 2017 Minerva Hoyt Conservation Award to Pat Flanagan, in recognition of her outstanding contributions in stewardship, education, research, and preservation of the California deserts.

4/4/2018
The Joshua Tree National Park Association is pleased to announce Pat Flanagan as the recipient of the 2017 Minerva Hoyt Conservation Award.

3/29/2018
The Joshua Tree National Park Association welcomes Jacqueline Guevara as their new Executive Director.