Joshua Tree National Park
With temperatures reaching over 100 degrees on a regular basis in summer, Joshua Tree National Park is a great place to visit in the fall, winter and spring. Offering thousands of years of history, amazing natural beauty and some of the most unique stories in the area, Joshua Tree National Park may not be the largest or even the most well known, but it is one of the most unique and beautiful in the U.S.
The History Of The Park
Most national parks have an interesting story leading up to their creation and Joshua Tree National Park is no different. It begins almost 100 years ago when roads began to lead in and out of this vast desert area bringing miners, developers and cactus poachers. One resident named Minerva Hoyt, became concerned with the amount of cactus being removed to fill the many Los Angeles gardens. It was her efforts to protect the area and its plants that led to the creation of the park in 1936 with the protection of 825,000 acres.
This protected area serves as habitat for over 800 plant species, 40 reptiles, 41 mammal species and 240 bird species. In addition to the species which live here today, 1 already located paleontological area in addition to perhaps 8 more,offer testament to the areas historical residents as well. Joshua Tree sites of interest include 700 archaeological sites, 88 historical structures, 19 cultural landscapes and over 200,000 items in its museum collections today.
Diverse and unique, the history of the area includes the Pinto culture, stories of cowboys and Indians, miners and homesteaders all carving out a life in this vast and harsh environment. One of the parks most well known and popular areas is called the oasis of Mara. In the desert, water is scarce and the lack of water can mean death to those who try to settle an area such as this. This oasis provided the necessary water for the first residents, the Serranos. Since then, many have lived or traveled through in peace and today, the area sees more than 140,000 people annually.
Other top sites found throughout the park include hundreds of faults as well as the famous San Andreas Fault, nature centers, rock climbing areas, trails for mountain biking and hiking, sites of historical significance and the many vistas and mountains throughout its almost 600,000 acres.
Tradewinds Travel Club Reviews hopes that you have enjoyed this closer look at one of the U.S. most beautiful and historical sites of importance. Learn more about the lesser known yet no less important sites throughout the United States and take advantage of all this great country has to offer. Learn more about travel and destinations for travel with your friends at Tradewinds Travel Club Reviews and start enjoying the world around you.
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