The Oasis Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms is the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center. It offers park maps, staff assistance and entrance passes, making it a practical stop before heading into Joshua Tree National Park.
- Location: 6533 Freedom Way, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
- Typical hours: Every day, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Location in town: At 6533 Freedom Way, the visitor center is about 0.7 miles from El Rancho Dolores at JT National Park.
- Park access: Joshua Tree National Park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
What can you find at the Oasis Visitor Center?
The visitor center provides maps, ranger or staff assistance, interpretive exhibits and entrance passes for sale. It also has flush toilets, accessible restrooms, a water-bottle filling station, a bookstore and electric-vehicle charging stations.
The center is one of four National Park Service visitor centers serving Joshua Tree National Park. The others are the Joshua Tree Visitor Center in Joshua Tree, Cottonwood Visitor Center and Black Rock Nature Center. For a broader route and stop-planning overview, see this guide to visiting Joshua Tree from Twentynine Palms.
When is it open, and how can you check services?
The center is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours and amenities can change, so check the official site before you go.
For questions before setting out, call 760-367-5500. The national park itself is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, so the center’s closing time does not determine when you can enter the park.
How do you get to the visitor center?
The center is at 6533 Freedom Way, next to Freedom Plaza and less than one block off Highway 62. From eastbound Highway 62, turn right onto Freedom Way, which may appear on maps as Yucca Avenue; if you reach National Park Drive, you have gone too far.
From westbound Highway 62, turn left onto Freedom Way, also known as Yucca Avenue. If you reach Tamarisk Avenue, you have passed it. The center has auto parking, including spaces for buses and RVs, and is wheelchair accessible.
What else can you include in a local visit?
The Oasis of Mara trailhead is at 74485 National Park Drive in Twentynine Palms. Its paved loop is 0.5 miles long with minimal elevation gain.
Interpretive panels line the trail, and nine benches provide places to pause: one is backless, while eight have backs and armrests. Parking includes two van-accessible spaces and 45 standard spaces; a drinking fountain and bottle-filling station are near the restrooms.
The visitor center and trailhead are distinct stops, so use the trailhead address when heading to the loop. To place both in the context of town, the guide to central Twentynine Palms covers local planning information.
FAQs
Is the Oasis Visitor Center still called that by the National Park Service?
The facility formerly called the Oasis Visitor Center is now named the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center.
Can you buy a park entrance pass at the visitor center?
Yes. Entrance passes are available for sale there.
Is the Oasis of Mara trail the same place as the visitor center?
No. The trailhead has its own address at 74485 National Park Drive, while the visitor center is on Freedom Way.