7-6-26
in 2025, the EXPLORE Act and PARC Act (Protect America’s Rock Climbing) were passed by Congress. This legislation codified rock climbing and fixed anchors as an appropriate use of wilderness lands and clarified the need for federal agencies to manage accordingly. Passing EXPLORE was a landmark event for climbers nationwide; now an even more important […]
1-9-26
ATTENTION: Hikers & Climbers There are 2 specific Alerts & Conditions listed on the site for Joshua Tree National Park: For more details and to stay informed about special Alerts & Conditions within Joshua Tree National Park, please visit: www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
12-20-25
DO YOU CLIMB IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK? We want to hear from you. Please take this important survey.
9-27-25
New West Entrance Construction Progress Continues! New construction of the west entrance to Joshua Tree National Park is well underway. The new entrance is being moved less than 1/2 mile south of its current location. You can finally envision the new entrance from these updated photos. When completed in early 2026, it is expected the […]
6-19-25
The park’s west entrance will be closed to inbound and outbound traffic beginning 6am Monday, August 25 through 6pm Thursday, August 29. Visitors must enter or exit the park via Twentynine Palms or Cottonwood entrances. For further details, visit: www.nps.gov/jotr/learn/news/2025-08-18-west-entrance-closure.htm
4-2-25
COMPROMISED ANCHOR REPORTING HELP KEEP CLIMBING SAFE…TAKE ACTION TODAY! As part of our fixed anchor replacement program, FOJT has launched a new reporting mechanism for climbers to alert us to anchors that are questionable, in need of repair or replacement. Friends is asking climbers to submit evidence (photo if possible) of bolts or routes in […]
3-29-25
New construction of the west entrance to Joshua Tree National Park is well underway. The new entrance is being moved less than 1/2 mile south of its current location. You can see from the photos that they are making good progress. When completed in early 2026, it is expected the new entrance with two inbound […]
2-24-25
How informed are you of the Defunding of National Park Staff? TAKE ACTION TODAY! Friends Of Joshua Tree encourages good climbing community relations with our National Park staff, and stand against the recent firings at NPS and USFS. In particular we see the up and coming land management professionals being dropped even as they are […]
12-22-24
Breaking News…Congress Passed the EXPLORE Act On December 18, 2024 federal agencies announced that they were withdrawing proposed climbing management policy that redefines fixed anchors in wilderness as ‘prohibited installations’. On December 19, Congress passed the EXPLORE Act, which includes significant support for outdoor recreation areas and access for all across all activities. It included […]
11-20-24
PRESS RELEASE: NOVEMBER 14, 2024 Statement from Friends of Joshua Tree to the Climbing Community regarding Climbing Stewards and Climber Coffee Programs in JTNP Friends of Joshua Tree announces changes to climbing outreach this 2024-25 climbing season. Climber Coffee will be offered on Saturdays only, and the Climbing Stewards program will be paused, with the […]
3-20-24
Let’s Not Be Bystanders! Friends of Joshua Tree is saddened by the recent tagging activity in Joshua Tree National Park. We are asking all climbers and our community members to report activities in the Park that destroy or desecrate natural objects or signs that facilitate safe and informed visitation. The recent paintball vandalism committed in […]
2-25-24
Connected Landscapes Celebration – November 5-16, 2024 Friends Of Joshua Tree and Native American Lands Conservancy are bringing back Connected Landscapesthis Fall! Through gathering in community face to face, we are facilitating a deeper relationship with the ancestral lands and living tribes of the high desert. Mark your calendar, and join us for a weekend […]