Trip Date: 11/27/2014

Location: Joshua Tree National Park

Permit/Pass: 7 Day Permit ($15), JT Annual Pass ($30) or National Parks Pass

Trails: NPS

Directions: From Hwy 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway) in Yucca Valley follow the signs to JTNP (south on Park Blvd - Quail Springs Rd - National Park Dr) to the kiosk at the Northwest entrance. Drive 20.7 miles along Park Boulevard (be sure to stay left at the junction with Key's View Rd.) to the intersection with El Dorado Mine Rd. Turn right and go another 29.7 miles to the Cottonwood Springs Visitor Center. Turn left into the parking lot. 

From Interstate 10 about 25 miles east of Indio take the Mecca/Twentynine Palms exit and turn left (north) onto Cottonwood Springs Rd. Drive just under 7 miles to the Cottonwood Springs Visitor Center. Turn right into the parking lot.

You can begin the trail at either the north end of the building complex or next to the men's restroom in the middle of the center atrium area.

Synopsis: Though this trail is in need of some creativity and maintenance, it is short, requires very little time and does manage to educate visitors to the desert environment. 

Trail sequence: Interpretive trail

Type: Loop

Distance: 0.1 miles

Elevation: Min. - ’, Max. - ' 

Rating: Easy (factors: heat)

Trail notes: Though this path is uninspiring, it does offer good information on some of the plants to be found in the desert.

Interpretive trail (Cottonwood VC) - Joshua Tree NP

Turn by turn: 

  -- We began the trail at the entry next to the men's room. Follow the path, read the signs, and pick up any trash you might see. It will only takes five minutes or so.

Photos: Flickr