Description
Joshua Tree National Park is named after the Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) native to the Mojave Desert. Encompassing a total of 795,156 acres (3,217.9 km2) the park includes 429,690 acres (1,738.9 km2) of designated wilderness. More than 250 bird species inhabit or visit the park, including resident desert birds such as the Greater roadrunner, Cactus wren, Northern mockingbird, LeConte's thrasher, Verdin, Ladder-backed woodpecker, Loggerhead shrike and Gambel's quail. About 78 species nest and raise their young within the park. Many migrating species spend only a short time feeding and resting at Joshua Tree, mainly in the winter, as the park lies along an inland stretch of the Pacific Flyway.
Details
Access
Quail Springs Picnic Area is the first picnic area along Park Boulevard when entering from the west entrance. Click on the P in the map for directions or coordinates. Picnic tables and grills are nestled among Joshua trees, small trees, and shrubs, next to large rock formations. The area also contains pit toilets and has trailheads for the Quail Springs Historic Trail and Ryan Johnnie Connector Trail as well as quick access to the Boy Scout Trail. Make sure you always take enough water with you when walking in Joshua Tree National Park.
Terrain and Habitat
Scattered trees and bushes , DesertConditions
Rocky , FlatCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
Spring , AutumnBest time to visit
SpringRoute
Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Photos Quail Springs Picnic Area by Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Photo Cactus Wren by Alan Vernon, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.
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