About
Background
Joshua Tree National Park (formed as a Monument in 1936, and designated National Park status in 1994) has long enjoyed a reputation as a world-class climbing mecca. For many decades climbers from around the world have come to experience its steep cracks, exposed slabs, and huge granite domes.
As rock climbing became more popular, it became apparent that a private, non-profit organization was needed to work with varying issues such as ecosystem preservation, wildlife preservation, and endangered species protection, and how those issues relate to climbers’ access. Simply put, the park and its climbers needed an activist group.
Local climbers responded to the challenge, organized, and in 1991 formed Friends of Joshua Tree to represent climbers’ interests in Joshua Tree National Park. This dedication that first formed Friends of Joshua Tree continues today.
How we do it
We are the grass roots access group for JTNP. We represent climbers.
Friends of Josh works to ensure that future generations of climbers will be able to enjoy the park. The following are our areas of focus:
- National Park liaison: During the past fifteen years, Friends of Joshua Tree has established a proactive dialogue with the National Park Service to ensure continued climbing access in the park. Through collaborations with the park administration, Friends of Josh has had a guiding hand in the Back country and Wilderness Management Plan, and is playing an integral part in the writing of the new Joshua Tree National Park Climbing Policy. We are the first climbing advocacy group in the country to secure a Memo Of Understanding (MOU) with the National Park Service.
- Trail restoration: Friends of Joshua Tree works with the Access Fund and the National Park Service to establish and maintain trails in the park, and urges climbers and others to approach crags only via designated trails.
- Desert ecology: Friends of Joshua Tree advocates “leave no trace” practices, urging climbers and others to respect the sensitive plant and animal life flourishing in the fragile desert ecology.
- Litter-free desert: Friends of Joshua Tree urges climbers and others to pack out all trash, and to use designated bathrooms whenever available.
- Park improvements: Friends of Joshua Tree provides input on various park issues such as automobile parking, raptor nesting protection, various user trails and environmental impact, and others important to climbers and other visitors.
We also work directly with climbers to educate them on important park issues; through events, slide shows, public gatherings, and town hall meetings, climbers learn about issues ranging from crag access and bolting policy to park preservation and desert plant & animal protection. Friends of Josh keeps its members up-to-date through its Web site and newsletter Wonderland, published three times a year.
Our Mission
Friends of Joshua Tree is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the historical tradition of climbing in Joshua Tree National Park. Friends of Joshua Tree advocates, communicates, and encourages ethical and environmentally sound climbing practices, and works to shape park policy on climbing and climbing-related issues. Toward that end, Friends of Joshua Tree acts as the liaison between the climbing community and the National Park service.
Our Goals
The Friends of Joshua Tree works to keep the rock in Joshua Tree National Park open to climbers. We recognize this depends on the cooperation of rock climbers and land managers. Our goals are to educate all Josh climbers to recognize and to limit the impacts of their climbing practices on the environment, and to partner with the park service to create a climbing management plan that best represents climbers’ interests.
FOJT Board Of Directors 2013
- Director General – Dave Pylman
- Mary Ann Kelly
- Kier Stiteler
- Tim Richards
- Byron Cook
- Josh Fairchilds
NPS Representatives
- Mark Butler – Park Superintendent
- Dan Messaros/Jeff Ohlfs – Chief Ranger
- Dan Messaros – Lost Horse District Ranger
- Jeff Ohlfs – Cottonwood District Ranger
- Kevin Buckley – Search & Rescue Ranger
- Joe Zarki – Chief of Interpretation
About Joshua Tree National Park
Park Details
Joshua Tree National Park is a world-renowned climbing destination, with over 8,000 named climbs and over 1,000 named bouldering problems within its boundaries. Joshua Tree enjoys mild winter weather, with day time temperatures in the high elevations of the Park (e.g., Hidden Valley Campground at 4,200’ above sea level) averaging around 50 degrees F (10 C), and night time temperatures averaging around 25 degrees F (-4 C).
Three campgrounds in the Park are by reservation only: Black Rock, Sheep Pass and Indian Cove. Group sites at the Cottonwood campground are also by reservation only. Reservations must be made through the national public lands reservation website: www.recreation.gov. All other campsites in the Park are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. There are 296 such sites and they are in the Hidden Valley, Ryan, Jumbo Rocks, Belle, White Tank and Cottonwood campgrounds.
Backcountry camping is allowed in the Park. There is no fee. However, vehicles may be parked overnight only at designated Back Country Boards, and registration at such sites is also required (so Rangers know whether to come looking for you). No fires are allowed in the back country whatsoever, and campsites must be located outside of Day-Use areas, one mile from any road, and 500 feet from any trail.
Dogs are allowed in the Park, but must be on a leash at all times (except when in a vehicle, tent or other enclosure). Dogs are allowed in the campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots, on established roads, and within 100 feet of such areas. Dogs are not allowed on trails or in the backcountry. The rules are primarily for the benefit and protection of the Desert Big Horn Sheep that live in the Park. Domestic dogs are different from coyotes and foxes, and Big Horn Sheep are extremely sensitive to domestic dogs. The mere presence or passing through by a domestic dog, even if it doesn’t urinate, can be enough to disrupt use of the area by the Big Horn Sheep – they may avoid the area for an extended period of time, and this can stress the animals and even make them more vulnerable to predators, especially if the area affected was used for food, cover or resting.
Please follow Leave No Trace protocols whenever you are in the Park: www.leavenotrace.org
For more information about Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree Park and Community Details
Joshua Tree is a rural, unincorporated community of about 8,000 year-round residents centered near the West Entrance to the Park. Following is an inventory of local businesses and services to make your visit here easy and enjoyable. Businesses and service providers marked with * support Friends of Joshua Tree with donations of time, gear and/or money:
Park and Community Information
Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center
- 6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-1855
Joshua Tree National Park Association
- 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92252
- 760-367-5525
Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce
- 6470 Veterans Way, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-3723
Joshua Tree Weather
National Weather Service Current Forecast for Joshua Tree
Lost Horse Weather Station (current weather conditions near Hidden Valley Campground)
Belle Mountain Camera, Air Quality and Weather Station
Guide Services
The following guide services and their guides support Friends of Joshua Tree by donating valuable time and considerable skills to Climb Smart Clinics. Many of these folks also participate in FOJT trail rehabilitation, clean-up and other projects in the Park
*Wilderness Outings
- 1-877-4-WILD-OUT (877.494.5368)
http://www.wildernessoutings.com
*Vertical Adventures
- 1-800-514-8785
*Uprising Adventure Guides
- 1-888-CLIMB-ON
Camping and Lodging outside the Park
Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground
- 2601 Sunfair Road, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-3661213
Sacred Sands B&B
- HC1 Box 1071 A
- 63155 Quail Springs Road, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-424-6407
Safari Motel
- 61959 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 02252
- 760-3661113
For additional information on camping inside and outside the National Park, click here
[this is the existing link on the FOJT website for camping information]
For additional information on lodging opportunities in Joshua Tree, visit the Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce website and click on “lodging” on the home page
www.joshuatreechamber.org
Gear Shops
Coyote Corner
- 6535 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA, 92252
- 760-366-9683
*Joshua Tree Outfitters
- 61707 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 888-366-1848
*Nomad Ventures
- 61796 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-4684
http://nomadventures.yolasite.com
Restaurants
Country Kitchen
- 61768 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-8988
Crossroads Cafe & Tavern
- 61715 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-5414
www.crossroadscafeandtavern.com
Joshua Tree Saloon
- 61835 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-2250
Natural Sisters Cafe
- 61695 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-3600
*Park Rock Cafe
- 6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-8200
Ricochet
- 61705 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-1898
Royal Siam Cuisine Thai Restaurant
- 61599 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-2923
Sam’s Pizza and Authentic Indian Food
- 61380 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA, 92252
- 760-366-9511
Santana’s Mexican Food
- 61761 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-8297
Tea Cakes Bakery
- 61740B 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-974-6209
Groceries & Convenience Markets
Joshua Tree Health Food Store
- 61693 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, Ca 92252
- 760-366-7489
Mike’s Liquor
- 61739 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-8501
Nature’s Pantry
- 61325 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-7999
Sam’s Market
- 61380 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA, 92252
- 760-366-8110
Internet Access with computers for you to use
Joshua Tree Library
- 6465 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-8615
*Joshua Tree Outfitters
- 61707 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 1-888-366-1848
Free Wi-Fi Access for your computer
Coyote Corner
- 6535 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA, 92252
- 760-366-9683
Joshua Tree Saloon
- 61835 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-2250
*Park Rock Cafe
- 6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-8200
Natural Sisters Cafe
- 61695 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- 760-366-3600
Showers
Coyote Corner
- 6535 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA, 92252
- 760-366-9683
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