Recent Stories
Rock climbing popular at Joshua Tree
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Joshua Tree National Park is known around the world for the rock climbing opportunities. With more than 400 climbing formations and 8,000 climbing routes, the park attracts thousands of climbers each year. “Casual climbers could spend 30 years in here climbing,” said Joe Zarki, Joshua Tree’sRead More…
Trust provides support for Florida parks
Most people think that national parks are completely dependent on federal funding. Little do they know that the government only provides budget monies for basic operations of the parks and that there are so many more costs that are not covered. To keep the parks program running smoothly, a littleRead More…
Grand Canyon places focus on visitor safety
Beautiful, but deadly, the Grand Canyon holds the lives of many who fall, accidentally or intentionally, over the edge of its awe-inspiring precipices. Since the 1870s, there have been an estimated 600 deaths for a number of reasons at the Grand Canyon National Park. Two planes collided over the canyonRead More…
Creating new parks takes time for approval
The arrowhead of the National Park Service (NPS) is a well-known symbol in the United States, enough so that attaining the designation of being a national park is a goal for many parks, monuments, and historic sites. National parks can only be created by an act of Congress and mustRead More…
Valley is gem at center of Joshua Tree
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – If the mountains, valleys and eerie seclusion and remoteness that embody Joshua Tree National Park were not enough to take in at first sight, pay a visit to the Hidden Valley Trail… a secluded sanctuary with an interpretive trail in the heart of the park, withRead More…
Joshua Tree offers hikers unique landscapes
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Walking through miles of rock-covered mountains while enjoying views of out-of-this-world landscapes is an invigorating experience for adrenaline junkies and first time hikers alike. Joshua Tree National Park near here offers a unique combination of remarkable rock formations, mild climate much of the year and diversityRead More…
Planning key to survival when visiting desert
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — If someone says, “you go one way, I’ll go the other way, and we will meet up on the other side,” do not agree to it if you are out in the desert. First, evaluate your surroundings. This idea may work in a grocery store orRead More…
Barker Dam: Path through Joshua history
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — From experienced hikers and rock climbers to families and Boy Scout groups, Joshua Tree National Park is visited by thousands of people from around the world each year. Although the hikes up the rough terrain of rocky formations are a main attraction for many visitors toRead More…
Palm oases add color to park’s desert
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Known for dry hot weather and a barren sand and rock terrain, the last thing people think of when referring to a desert is lush greenery and supple water. However, the fan palm oases of Joshua Tree National Park defy this description. Of less than 200Read More…
People make Teton lake hike memorable
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. – Growing up in the shadows of New York City, I’m not a person that is accustomed to strangers being friendly. So, imagine my surprise when I heard a cheerful “hi!” out of nowhere as I hiked the perimeter of Jenny Lake at Grand Teton National Park.Read More…
Horseback riders explore beauty of desert
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — As a horseback rider myself, I can see why spending a few hours on a horse would be a popular way to experience Joshua Tree National Park. The beautiful rock formations stand out against the blue sky and the vast 794,000-acre park seems infinite. For thoseRead More…
Hikers carve initials, damage park for all
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — There are two photos that stand out in my album from our trip to Joshua Tree National Park. The first captures the engraved initials on the trunk of a palm tree at 49 Palms Oasis. The second shows painted petroglyphs on rocks near Barker Dam. IRead More…