Climbing in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree is the most popular winter climbing area in the United States. The Park contains beautiful climbing and relaxed rustic camping. Only an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree is climbable during the worst of the winter months. The best season for climbing in JT is October through May.
About the Rock: The rocks in Joshua Tree were designed with climbers in mind. The rock is granitic in origin and part of a huge underground mass of quartz monzonite called a "batholith". The majority of the formations resemble the domes of Toloumne Meadows but smaller in scale. The primary attraction of Joshua Tree is the flat approaches, the accessible summits and the laid back nature of the park.
Camping: There are several campgrounds within the park that cost $5.00 a day for up to six people per site. Each campground has its own feel. Climbers choose to frequent the Hidden Valley and the Ryan campgrounds. While Jumbo Rocks tends to be more of an RV and family site. There are no facilities within the park so be sure to bring lots of water, food and fire wood for your stay.