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Climb Smart

12-1-25

JTNP WEST ENTRANCE CLOSURE

Joshua Tree National Park west entrance to close for Dec. 3-5 construction.  Release from: Joshua Tree National Park Release Date: December 1, 2025   TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif.–The west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, including the restrooms, will close to inbound and outbound traffic from 6 a.m., Dec. 3 through 6 p.m., Dec. 5. Park Boulevard […]

11-11-25

JOIN US…CLIMB SMART 2025

Join us for the 30thannual Climb Smart in Joshua Tree. This event is part festival, part education conference, and 100% outdoors and 100% fun! Registration is open and there are spots still available for the high desert event of the year! Open for all experience levels of climbers (including brand new) and we’ve just added […]

9-27-25

WEST ENTRANCE CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

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

PARK WEST ENTRANCE CLOSURE

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

REPORT COMPROMISED ANCHORS

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

WEST ENTRANCE CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

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

DEFUNDING OF NATIONAL PARK STAFF

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 […]

1-5-25

CHUCKWALLA NATIONAL MONUMENT BECOMES REALITY

Chuckwalla National Monument becomes a reality with President Biden coming to the high desert next week to make it official! The designation will add a large new chunk of land to the area next to the Joshua Tree National Park — making it the biggest contiguous protected area in the country. Friends Of Joshua Tree has […]

12-22-24

BREAKING NEWS

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

Friends of Joshua Tree Announces Changes

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 […]

11-18-24

29 Palms Rock Rumble Royale

 Cliffhanger Guides … presents the 1st Annual 29 Palms Rock Rumble Royale on December 13 & 14! The first of its kind, this event is a bouldering competition and conservation event mixing climbing ethics and ethos with the planet and environment that sustains us all. The Competition  All climber & identities welcome. Competitors will have […]

6-26-24

TICKETS ON SALE: December 6-8 Climb Smart 2024

Tickets Now on Sale… Climb Smart 2024 in Joshua Tree On December 6-8, 2024 Climb Smart will take place INSIDE of Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP), offering education, stewardship, and connection to the climbing community. As in years past, we’ll stay at the Indian Cove Group Campground & Amphitheater.   BUY YOUR TICKETS today!

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