Desert National Parks Overview
On March 1 1872, President Ulysses Grant signed into existence the world's first national park. Since then, hundreds more have been established. These parks are awe inspiring natural wonders and offer glipses into our history. California has several of these National Parks and Monuments. Death Valley and Joshua Tree are two National Parks found in California's Desert region.
TIP:The National Park Service offers FEE FREE DAYS to some National Parks on select weekends through the Summer. Use this link to view available dates.
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Death Valley is located east of Lone Pine via Highway 190 and north of Baker via highway 127. Death Valley is the hottest, driest and lowest point in the United States and can reach temperatures over 120 degrees in the summer. Sightseeing, road & mountain biking, off-roading, hiking, horseback riding and camping are the major activities to be enjoyed in Death Valley. Spring is the best season to see this park for its 'desert in bloom'. At the heart of Death Valley is Furnace Creek where a museum, Visitor Center, Inn, ranch hotel, groceries, restaurants, golf course, fuel and much more can be found. In northern Death Valley is Scotty's Castle that was built in the 1920's by Walter Scott. It is an architectural masterpiece and an oasis in an unforgiving region. Many believed the castle was funded by Scotty's secret goldmine. Visit the park and make your own determination about this.
NOTE: Please refer to our TIPS page for Desert safety precautions.
 Check our Death Valley blog for more details.
 See our Death Valley photo album on Flickr.
Death Valley National Park
Highway 190
Death Valley, California 92328
(760) 786-3200
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Joshua Tree is located off Highway 62 just north of Palm Springs. Sightseeing, road & mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding and camping are the major activities to be enjoyed in Joshua Tree. Joshua Tree is a high desert and can be a little cooler than Death Valley in the summer months. Joshua Tree has picturesque rock formations that offer rock climbing for all skill levels and forests of Joshua Trees. Most of the beauty and activities are in the northwest section of the park, but the southern portion has cactus gardens that shouldn't be missed. A half-day trip from Palm Springs can be easily accomplished since a drive through the park takes approximately 2-hours including stops at sites. You'll be very tempted to rock climb, so be sure to wear hiking boots, a hat and carry plenty of water.
NOTE: Please refer to our TIPS page for Desert safety precautions.
Joshua Tree National Park
74485 National Park Drive
Twentynine Palms, California 92277-3597
760-367-5500
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Manzanar is located just outside the town of Independence off highway 395. Manzanar is the site of a World War II relocation camp for citizens of Japanese descent. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the American government grew suspicious of Japanese-Americans and decided to place them in camps where their activities could be monitored. Little remains of the original camp. A museum contains artifacts left behind and historical facts and documents about the camp.
Manzanar National Historic Site
5001 Highway 395
Independence, California 93526
(760) 878-2932
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