JOSHUA TREE COST CALCULATOR
Entrance fees, the cheapest pass for your trip, and what's free — your exact total. Free, no sign-up.
A single park entrance fee covers driving Park Boulevard, every viewpoint (Keys View, Cholla Cactus Garden, Skull Rock), and all the trailheads — for 7 days, for everyone in your vehicle. There's no separate charge for any of the in-park sights.
Your trip
You pay each park entry separately — best for a single visit.
Compare every option
| Pass | Total for the year* |
|---|---|
| Pay at the gate | $30 |
| Joshua Tree Annual Pass | $55 |
| America the Beautiful | $80 |
*Total = Joshua Tree entries for the year + any other national parks (estimated at your Joshua Tree entry rate). Verify current rates at nps.gov/jotr before your trip.
Joshua Tree Cost FAQ
Do I have to pay an entrance fee at Joshua Tree?
Yes. Joshua Tree charges a park entrance fee at all three entrances (the West entrance at Joshua Tree, the North entrance at Twentynine Palms, and the South entrance at Cottonwood). It's $30 per private vehicle ($25 motorcycle, $15 per person on foot or bike) and covers everyone in the vehicle for 7 days. The fee covers driving Park Boulevard, every viewpoint, and all the trailheads.
Is the America the Beautiful pass worth it for Joshua Tree?
If Joshua Tree is your only stop and you visit once, the $30 vehicle fee or the $55 Joshua Tree Annual Pass is plenty. But if you're touring multiple parks (Death Valley, Sequoia, Grand Canyon, Zion), the $80 America the Beautiful pass covers all of them for a year and pays for itself in about three park visits.
Do I need a reservation or timed-entry ticket for Joshua Tree?
No. Joshua Tree has no timed-entry reservation system and no permit lottery, so you can arrive any time without booking in advance. Free permits are required only for overnight backcountry trips and climbing fixed anchors, and campgrounds like Jumbo Rocks and Black Rock are reserved separately through Recreation.gov.
Are seniors, kids, and military members eligible for discounts?
Yes. Kids 15 and under are always free. Seniors (62+) can get a $20 annual or $80 lifetime America the Beautiful pass, while the Access pass (permanent disability), Military pass, and 4th-grade pass are all free and cover the Joshua Tree entrance fee.