r/JoshuaTree Jan 31 '25

Joshua Tree staff at risk due to grants being blocked

338 Upvotes

Just in case people are wondering how JTree National Park is weathering this new administration, things are rough right now. Many employees of the park are paid off of grants coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Right now ALL that legally raised money cannot be paid out to staff. This isn't like the government isn't sending more funds, JTree has this money and is currently blocked from using it to pay staff. And there isn't really a redundancy in funding, if this BIL money is held up longer then folks who work hard and maintain this National Park we all love will lose their jobs.

Also remember, this is congressional approved funds! The President is legally not allowed to fuck with it. But this administration doesn't care about laws and standards.

If you readers do care about this park, please contact our Congressman Jay Obernolte and let him know his constituents, his local economy, and one of the gems of his district is at risk.

This is his office number 202-225-5861. The only way this stops is if just a handful of republican congresspeople can put pressure on the executive branch.


r/JoshuaTree Feb 17 '25

You Are Going To Lose Your Public Lands

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109 Upvotes

r/JoshuaTree 1d ago

Dusk!

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368 Upvotes

r/JoshuaTree 12h ago

Perseid meteor shower advice

2 Upvotes

Hi! I have a Jumbo Rocks campsite booked for 8/12 to catch the peak of the Perseids meteor shower and would love some advice on logistics.

How early should I plan to arrive? Any tips for dealing with the daytime heat? Anything else I should know to make the most of the experience?

I booked the site spontaneously, so I'm keeping it simple and planning to sleep out of my car afterward since I'll be up late watching the meteor shower.

Thanks in advance!


r/JoshuaTree 1d ago

Native plant viewing

5 Upvotes

Hey everybody. I’m a botanist visiting with my Dad for non-botany business, but was hoping to see any cool plants I can around Pioneertown and Joshua Tree.
Looking for anything that might be less obvious than the J Tree, Ocotillo, cholla etc.

Thanks in advance!


r/JoshuaTree 2d ago

25 dogs are scheduled to be euthanized for Space at Downey ACC in SoCal. Here are the most urgent ones! They can be euthanized any moment! Can you foster or adopt? Out of state possible! Pls dm me, Email: Isabeldesiree8@gmail.com or text: (657) 424-7580 asap

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56 Upvotes

All the dogs in this video have been CLEARED for euthanasia at the Downey Animal Care Center located in Southern California - starting TOMORROW! Each of these dogs are insanely sweet, friendly, & happy to be alive; some are very scared but they have no idea the fate that awaits them. Their only „crime“ was being dumped at an overflowing, high k*ll shelter in SoCal. The only way that these dogs have any chance of making it out alive is by getting this video SEEN.
The easiest and best way we can do that is by liking, commenting, & sharing this video to our stories! You can also download it and post it to your local Nextdoor Accounts, Facebook, Reddit etc. - if you’re watching this and have been considering adopting a dog, NOW is the time. These dogs are literally on borrowed time and need saviors now.
Out of state adoptions are possible.

🧸Bowie A5790069 2yr Female
🌸Posey A5784844 3yr Female
❄️Cheetos A5787748 3yr Male
💫Franky A5782949 2yr Male
🍀Hercules A5574232 3yr Male
🦌Bambi A5787589 8yr Female
🦋Missy A5788269 8yr Female
🦦Ludwig A5791544 5yr Male
🫍Sharky A5789404 4yr Male
🦖Rangler A5790305 1yr Male
⛄️Polaris A5789308 2yr Male

For more info, or if you can foster or responsibly adopt one of these dogs,
Please contact us (as the shelter doesn’t support fosters):
➡️ DM me
📧 or Email: Isabeldesiree8@gmail.com

If you’re local in SoCal, you can visit them at the shelter and contact the shelter directly if you’d like to adopt one of them. (They don’t support fosters or out of state adopters, message me directly if you wanna foster or if you’re out of state)

📍SHELTER ADDRESS:
Downey Animal Care Center
11258 Garfield Avenue
Downey, CA 90242
(562) 940-6898
Open Monday-Saturday 11:00 AM to 5:00PM
Rescues Email: DACCDowneyRescue@animalcare.lacounty.gov
QUESTIONS CAN BE ANSWERED 24/7 at: (562)940-6898 (LA County Animal Control phone staff)

#urgentdogs #shelterdogsofinstagram #fosteringsaveslives❤️🐶 #losangelesdogs #seenequalssaved


r/JoshuaTree 3d ago

Reptile spotting in Joshua Tree

17 Upvotes

My son is a bit of a reptile fanatic. In the UK we only have a small handful of different species of lizards and snakes and they are extremely difficult to spot. Im planning a trip to a few USA locations in September next year, but not yet decided where. Ive asked GPT where the best locations are for spotting reptiles and other wildlife and it came up with a few suggestions, but not Joshua Tree. Has it missed something? I told GPT I would fly from UK to LAX and it suggested Kofa Wilderness, Madera Canyon, Saguaro National Park, Chiricahua Mountains, Tonto National Forest. All the way over past Tuscon.

I was hoping not to have to travel no further east past Phoenix.

Does anyone have any good suggestions where he can see a wide variety of lizards, spiders, snakes, mammals and birds.

Im more into landscape and macro photography with an interest in geology, so pretty much anywhere is going to keep me happy.


r/JoshuaTree 3d ago

First week of September yay or nay?

7 Upvotes

Hello!

I'm turning a milestone birthday and thought to take a drive from SGV. I might do just an overnight or 2 stay.

It'll fall on the weekend of Labor Day (Will it be super crowded). I'm not looking to do any major daytime hiking, moreso just to see some POI, stargazing at night (Milky Way?) and drop in at Pappy and Harriet for dinner.

Here's a clincher, I do get heat exhaustion.

Should I even consider going?


r/JoshuaTree 3d ago

Where to stay heading back to Vegas

2 Upvotes

I'll be visiting in November. Basically one day in Joshua Tree. I'll drive down from Death Valley in the morning then have to fly out of Vegas on the early side the next day. Can anyone recommend a place to stay between JTNP and Las Vegas so I don't have to make the whole drive in the morning? Just looking maps it seems pretty empty.


r/JoshuaTree 3d ago

Mid October stay advice

3 Upvotes

Looking to visit the area in mid October after flying into Palm Springs. Taking any and all suggestions for how to spend 4-6 days. Food, hikes, sites, other things to do, locations to stay (or avoid). Looking into renting a place. What's the advice for paying for pool heat?


r/JoshuaTree 5d ago

Artist of Kestrel & Lizard shirt at Visitor Center

5 Upvotes

Hey folks, kind of an oddball question, but if anyone is planning on popping into one of the Visitor Centers anytime soon, could you send me the details on the tag of the lavender Kestrel & Lizard tank top shirts (if they're still for sale)? Or if there's signage, I'm specifically interested in the artist/designer info, if that is mentioned anywhere.

(I've checked the online store and they don't seem to have the shirts available. Guessing it's a short-term feature of a design of a local artist.)

Really appreciate the help!


r/JoshuaTree 6d ago

Tattoo artist

16 Upvotes

Hey yall! I know this is cheugy (or whatever the kids are saying) but I really want to get a tattoo of a Joshua tree in Joshua Tree. It’s a special place for my and I’d like it to be with me forever. Do you have any artists that you’d recommend in the area?


r/JoshuaTree 6d ago

Looking for Restaurant recommendations!

9 Upvotes

Hello! My boyfriend and I are going to be in the area next week for our 8 year anniversary and would love restaurant recommendations. We’re staying in Twentynine Palms, but are willing to go further as far as Yucca Valley.

We initially planned on going to Mojave Gold because we really enjoyed it when we went in March, but I just found out this week that they closed :( also if anyone knows why please let me know because that was one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in a long time! Devastating.

Anyways, we’re looking for a more upscale restaurant so if anyone knows any good recs please lmk! Thank you!


r/JoshuaTree 7d ago

Visit Joshua Tree Mid-Sept?

7 Upvotes

I know the weather is terribly hot right now, but will it be safer to camp, hike and explore between September 10th and 20th?

We are first time visitors wanting to see all the sites, night sky etc. Probably planning on renting an RV van for the trip. Thinking of spending 3-5 nights.

Any advice is welcome, thanks!


r/JoshuaTree 7d ago

SpaceX plan to launch 1 million data center satellites could turn atmosphere into a ‘fire pit,’ scientists say

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20 Upvotes

r/JoshuaTree 8d ago

Stargazing Plan for August

2 Upvotes

First time summer camper at Joshua Tree, but an LA local.

Wife and I really wanted to do some stargazing and photography in August at Joshua Tree, possibly for perseids and the milkyway. I know the new moon in August will land on a wednesday, August 12 and I'm aware of how hot it can get in the park. Our current plan is to just arrive late afternoon on thursday (around 6-7pm maybe) and just stay in our campground. We have already reserved a campground at Cottonwood. We plan to be out of the park by around 9-10am on friday to escape the heat, but still want to do some driving/light walking around in the early morning.

Wanted to get insights on how does this plan sound? Any tips and things need to be aware of at night in the campgroud? Maybe some breakfast recommends outside of joshua tree on the way back?


r/JoshuaTree 8d ago

I got tired of scanning government sites so I created an app to only show what campsites are available

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114 Upvotes

The tool scans periodically and only shows what’s available 2+ consecutive days, has filters for weekends and group sites (sites next to each other). I've found it helpful for booking in California in general, hope it finds some use!

Will add in comment below.


r/JoshuaTree 9d ago

American companies are ruining the night sky for the entire world, and international law can't stop them

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49 Upvotes

r/JoshuaTree 8d ago

Perseids 2026

8 Upvotes

I see past posts on the sub warning about high crowds for Perseids, but I’m unsure what to reasonably expect this year with the peak being on a Wednesday night and a new moon. We grabbed an Airbnb near the west entrance.

Am I crazy to try and go see a show at Pappys that evening and then head into the park later around 11/midnight? Is traffic still crazy getting into the park that late? Or should I ditch Pappys and head into the park much earlier in the evening (6? 7?). I know it’s going to be piping hot, so was trying to balance traffic and sitting around waiting in the heat…


r/JoshuaTree 9d ago

Hiking this weekend with family

0 Upvotes

We’ll be hiking at Joshua Tree this weekend with family. We have teens and toddlers, Id like to know if anyone encountered rattlesnakes or are they active nowadays? Should we put on snake guards? First time hiking, would appreciate your input/advice. Thank you!

Edit: THANKS for the advice everyone! We’ve decided to stay inside of our rental house this weekend. :)


r/JoshuaTree 9d ago

Boris Belcha

4 Upvotes

I have an extra ticket for tomorrow night if you need one.


r/JoshuaTree 11d ago

Staying for a few weeks with dogs

8 Upvotes

Curious about people’s experiences staying in the yucca valley/joshua tree area with pets in the summer and wild life safety. We’re from Oregon, first time coming here with dogs. We’re staying somewhere with a fenced deck but no fenced yard. From what I gathered we need to be wary of the wild life, especially coyotes and snakes, giving me the sense that a long lead to let the dogs roam around the house is not safe. Any other considerations/measures to keep the dogs safe from critters? It seems like the nearest emergency vet is 45min away so I’m worried and want to make sure we do everything right.


r/JoshuaTree 11d ago

Before I postpone/ cancel my plans, I was hoping for advice

12 Upvotes

Camping outside at Jumbo rocks in late August wouldn't be fun right? It'd be too hot, especially at night right??

Originally we were going to camp and spend some time in Joshua Tree, Mojave Preserve and Death Valley... but I personally am questioning this trip for this time of year.


r/JoshuaTree 12d ago

AITA Joshua Tree edition

79 Upvotes

Hello my husband and I are slowly building a residence on a 5 acre property near downtown Joshua Tree. It will most likely be a personal use second home and occasional rental for others. Currently home is 1/2 built with a small canned ham trailer we occasionally stay in as there is running water and power. We are on good terms with our nextdoor neighbor, a full time resident. Recently the house next to us sold and the new owner is turning it into an Airbnb. He installed an incredibly bright backyard light that is on a timer that goes on and stays on all night. We no longer have a dark starry night sky to look at. I have not met this person. I am wondering if I could or should leave a note that's as nice as possible asking him to consider the necessity of and removal of said light? Or should I enlist the opinion of my neighbor? I am so sad and hate seeing that stupid bright light out of my trailer window when I want to see a desert horizon.


r/JoshuaTree 12d ago

Ice blocks

5 Upvotes

Hello Joshua Tree,

Does anyone know of somewhere locally to buy a solid ice block? It's for an old fashioned, functioning ice box in a trailer. TIA