Visitor Services & Park Infrastructure
Visitor Centers & Park Store
JTNPA operates six locations as a form of in-kind aid to the park. Plus, all purchases made at visitor centers and the park store support the park’s most critical projects and programs.
Start your Joshua Tree experience at a visitor center or the park store! Buy your national park pass, grab a hat, and narrow down your list of what to do in Joshua Tree National Park with help from a park ranger or the JTNPA team.
$15,000
Joshua Tree Search and Rescue
This fund supports Joshua Tree National Park’s Search and Rescue (JOSAR) Program, covering the purchase of essential equipment, safety gear, and medical supplies used during rescues and ensuring that park rangers and rescue teams are properly equipped and prepared to respond quickly and safely to emergencies in the park.
JTNPA also supports JOSAR and Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) through our Don’t Die Today campaign, which includes accessible safety information materials and a quarterly retail campaign with proceeds going toward the same funding needs as the Joshua Tree Search and Rescue Fund. The Don’t Die Today campaign recently helped pay for several critically needed AEDs.
$20,000
Fire Mitigation
JTNPA funded the purchase and placement of several water tanks in high-risk zones throughout the park. These tanks ensure that firefighters have access to water sources in the event of a wildfire, improving emergency response capabilities and overall fire preparedness.
This effort is grant-funded. Learn more about our supporter California Fire Foundation.
Learn more about fire risk in Joshua Tree National Park on the park’s Fire Safety, History, and Regime page.
$250,000
Road Maintenance Project
JTNPA funds maintenance efforts that enable the park to maintain road conditions following flooding or other damage and improving overall visitor safety and experience.
This project includes procuring of a street sweeper and supporting the park’s maintenance team.
Interpretation & Education Division Support
JTNPA provides over $500,000 in cash aid to Joshua Tree National Park each year to support vital Interpretation and Education Division goals. This investment directly empowers the park’s ability to connect with visitors through meaningful educational experiences.
This funding includes support for:
- Great Basin Institute (GBI) educators
- Seasonal and permanent interpretive staff
- Youth interns gaining hands-on experience in public lands stewardship
Together, these dedicated individuals inspire curiosity, deepen understanding of the desert ecosystem, and ensure that every visitor has a chance to form a lasting connection with the park.
In addition to staffing support, JTNPA supports Interpretation and Education programming. This support encompasses efforts like:
- Field trip transportation and supplies to bring students into the park
- Program materials and equipment used by rangers and educators
- Maintenance of educational facilities used to host thousands of visitors each year
These resources sustain immersive, hands-on learning from classrooms to ranger-led programs inside Joshua Tree National Park.
Park Maps
JTNPA helps fund production of the maps that millions of park visitors rely on every year to navigate the park.
$500,000
West Entrance Information Station
Joshua Tree National Park welcomes more visitors every year. JTNPA is helping fund an ongoing project to improve access and amenities near the park’s West Entrance. Located at the Samuelson Rock Trailhead, the West Entrance Information Station will:
- Dramatically expand parking, helping to keep visitors safe and reduce environmental impacts from roadside parking during periods of high visitation
- Create a designated turn lane and designated shuttle stop to improve traffic patterns
- Provide shade and an ADA accessible sidewalk
- Feature information about trail systems, park guidelines, and the rich cultural and natural history of the area
- Offer comfort amenities much closer to the entrance, including a double vault toilet and sunset-view benches
- Improve hiking in the area by connecting the Bigfoot Trailhead with the Maze Loop Trail
The information station will improve the visitor experience today while preserving the park’s natural beauty and cultural significance for generations to come.
Volunteer Program Support
JTNPA provides funding to support the Volunteer in the Park (VIP) program. Volunteers are essential to park operations, contributing thousands of hours to visitor services, trail maintenance, education, and resource protection.
This support helps cover:
- Uniforms and essential gear
- Training and recognition programs
- Operational supplies that empower volunteers to serve effectively
This investment in the VIP program helps ensure that volunteers have the tools and support they need to make a lasting difference in the park every day.
How Can You Support Joshua Tree National Park?
Donate
Make a one-time or monthly contribution to conservation, education, science, and infrastructure efforts in Joshua Tree National Park.
Get Involved!
Conservation requires the time and talents. Complete the volunteer interest form to be notified when volunteer opportunities open.
Get some gear!
Get your Joshua Tree merchandise at visitor centers or online. These retail sales help support Joshua Tree National Park.
Become an Official Park Lover
Park Lover memberships are one of the primary ways JTNPA raises funds for the park. Memberships also come with exclusive perks, like discounts on merch and classes.
Attend a class or event!
JTNPA holds fundraising events throughout the year, as well as classes that directly benefit specific programs. Check out the calendar to see what’s coming up.
JTNPA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations made by Park Partners are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law (EIN #95-2312513).
Learn more about our commitment to financial transparency and accountability.
