More and more people are visiting Joshua Tree National Park these days. Maybe you are one of them?
In 2021, Ranger Anna Marini formalized the park’s preventative search and rescue program, one of the first in the national park system to be overseen by a dedicated ranger.
His team of 30 volunteers seeks to educate people on how they can enjoy the park safely and avoid some common dangers and pitfalls.
Here are some of their tips:
When to go
Temperatures are generally milder in autumn and spring. Winters can be cold and summers very hot.
But you can visit the park any time of year, as long as you’re prepared and have a flexible mindset. It’s essential to check the weather forecast regularly, as conditions change often and storms can strike without warning. They can cause dangerous flash floods, especially during the summer monsoon season that runs from July to October, so it’s best to avoid the park altogether if rain is in the forecast.
If you’re visiting in the summer, be prepared to limit your activities to shorter hikes in the early morning or evening, before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Nighttime stargazing is also a good option. Bring extra water: at least two gallons per person per day if you plan on hiking. Salty snacks help the body retain water and replace electrolytes. And don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. The heat and dryness cause sweat to evaporate quickly, making it easier to become dehydrated.
Also, leave your pets at home: the ground is too hot for them to stay outside and your car is too hot to leave them inside, even briefly.
During the colder months, dogs are still prohibited from park trails, with the exception of Oasis of Mara and Keys View, but they are allowed to roam in campgrounds and along the many dirt roads that wind through the park.
Common risks
In addition to the heat, there are multiple varieties of thorny plants — cholla is the most commonly cited, but it can be painful to come across a prickly pear, yucca or even a Joshua tree, Marini said.
Rattlesnakes are present in the park, but they are not aggressive. Bites that require emergency treatment typically occur only every couple of years, usually because the snakes blend in so well with nature that people accidentally step on them. That’s why it’s important to keep your eyes open and avoid putting your hands or feet in places you can’t see, like crevices between rocks or bushes. This also helps you avoid other venomous animals that live in the park, including scorpions and black widow spiders.
Bees are usually more active in the summer when they are thirsty and they can be quite persistent. People are usually stung when they hit them. If you are allergic, you may want to consider visiting at another time of year.
Desert tortoises aren’t dangerous to humans, but humans can be dangerous to them. These slow-moving reptiles, listed as endangered in California, can look like rocks, especially to drivers on park roads. Keep your eyes open and reduce your speed. Check under your car before you start moving. And if you see a tortoise crossing the road, watch from a distance to make sure it crosses safely. Never pick it up unless it’s in imminent danger; it may urinate, and that water loss can be fatal.
What to bring
Marini loves to talk about the 10 essentials. These are the things you should have, no matter what time of year it is. Her team created a series of Instagram reels highlighting these must-haves. They are:
- Sun protection: At a minimum, a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. The UV index is very high due to the lack of clouds and the reflective effect of light-coloured sand and rocks. So you may also want to opt for protective clothing such as a UV-blocking t-shirt or hoodie and a parasol.
- Food: There are no stores or vendors in the park. It’s best to bring more calories than you think you’ll need, especially if you plan on being active. Salty snacks also help replace electrolytes lost through sweating.
- Water: At least one gallon per person per day; more if you plan to hike in hot weather or over difficult terrain.
- Navigation: Some prefer a compass and paper map; you can also download the NPS app for offline use.
- First aid kit
- Multi-tool: These typically include pliers, penknives, scissors, and files. It’s also a good idea to bring a simple plastic hair comb, which Marini calls “a fun desert tool,” for removing cholla spines.
- A flashlight or headlamp: Sunset can catch you by surprise and the desert is extremely dark at night. People tend to use their phone as their only source of light, but this can quickly drain your battery.
- Sturdy shoes
- Layers of clothing
- Emergency shelter: This could be as simple as a tarp or an umbrella. “Our climate can be quite fickle,” Marini said.
What to do if you get lost or need help
Whether you’re feeling the effects of heatstroke or injured, it’s important to call for help as soon as you think you need it. Most areas of the park aren’t covered by cell phone networks, but newer iPhones have an SOS feature that allows them to make emergency calls. In some places, you can also text 911, Marini said.
While waiting for help to arrive, try to stay in the shade and drink water. And most importantly, wait where you are. If your car breaks down, stay with it. Don’t try to walk out of the area yourself and don’t send someone from your group to get help. “It’s really hard when people start moving because they get impatient,” Marini said.
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