The Joshua Tree National Park is a fascinating place to visit in southern California. It’s a huge territory containing over 1,200 sq. mi. (3,200 sq. km), roughly as large as the State of Rhode Island. About one-third of it is a designated wilderness area, accessible only by foot or on horseback, and what little rain it receives is unpredictable. A good paved road runs through the western part, and there are drivable unpaved roads, plus a number of hiking trails of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty. Mountains run along its southwestern edge, and there is a mile-high lookout point (Key View) that offers a breathtaking panorama of the Coachella Valley and the San Andreas Fault. It is the main destination for most casual visitors. The Park overlaps two ecosystems, that of the higher elevation Mojave
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