A second paid visit favors the annual pass
Two separately purchased vehicle passes cost $60. The $55 Joshua Tree annual pass saves $5 for eligible U.S. citizens and residents. It covers Joshua Tree only.
Joshua Tree National Park entrance fees
Choose the fee for how you arrive. Passengers in a private vehicle share its entrance fee.
Joshua Tree National Park entrance fees · 2026 · U.S. dollars
| Pass or entry | Price | Who it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $30 | One non-commercial vehicle and everyone in it, the day of purchase and the next six days |
| Motorcycle | $25 | Up to two private motorcycles with up to four people in all, 7 days |
| Per person (foot or bike) | $15 | Each visitor 16 or older on foot or bike, 7 days. Under 16 free |
Annual and discounted passes
Park annual passes are for U.S. citizens and residents. Check the eligibility and coverage before choosing a federal pass.
Annual and discounted passes · 2026 · U.S. dollars
| Pass or entry | Price | Who it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua Tree annual pass | $55 | U.S. citizens and residents: 12 months from the month of purchase, for the pass signer and passengers in one non-commercial vehicle |
| America the Beautiful annual | $80 | U.S. citizens and residents: entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation lands for a year |
| America the Beautiful annual, non-resident | $250 | Non-U.S. residents: the whole vehicle, two motorcycles, or the holder plus three adults where fees are per person |
| Senior annual / lifetime | $20 / $80 | U.S. citizens and residents 62 and older |
| Access pass | Free | U.S. citizens and residents with a permanent disability |
| Military annual / lifetime | Free | Current U.S. military and dependents (annual); Gold Star Family members and veterans (lifetime) |
| 4th grade pass | Free | U.S. 4th graders |
| Volunteer pass | Free | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours |
Overnight backcountry stays need a permit
The $6 permit covers a group of 1 to 12 for up to 14 nights. Reserve through Recreation.gov or use the other methods listed by NPS.
Estimate your entrance cost
Estimate one private entry and compare America the Beautiful options using your group’s ages and residency. Separately charged activities and organized groups are excluded.
Standard private entry only. Children under 16 do not pay individual entrance or nonresident fees. Annual-pass estimates assume no existing pass; they cover one private vehicle or the holder plus three adults on foot. Motorcycle estimates cover up to two motorcycles and four people. Check pass eligibility and group rules before paying.
Where to buy your pass
Choose the park’s accepted payment method, keep the pass or tag ready, and bring any required proof of eligibility.
Cards at the gates
The North and West entrance stations accept debit or credit cards only. Joshua Tree, Joshua Tree National Park and Cottonwood visitor centers also accept cash.
Download before arrival
Print your Joshua Tree digital pass or save it on your phone before using it. Connectivity in the park can be limited or absent.
Bring your pass and photo ID
America the Beautiful passholders must show valid photo ID with their pass. A physical pass order receipt cannot be used instead of the pass.
Group and activity fees
Larger groups have different entrance charges. Overnight backcountry stays and Keys Ranch tours require separate bookings.
Group in a vehicle seating 16 or more
$15 each
Non-commercial groups. Kids 15 and under exempt, passes accepted, never more than the commercial fee for that vehicle
Commercial mini-bus / motor coach
$60 / $150
Commercial vehicles seating 16 to 25 or 26 and more, respectively. Road-based tours require a commercial use authorization.
Backcountry permit
$6
Any overnight stay in the backcountry: groups of 1 to 12, up to 14 nights, bookable 6 months ahead
Keys Ranch tour
$10 to $20
Ranger-led, per visitor, advance reservation required
Entrance fee-free days
Check the official NPS dates and eligibility for your travel year. Separately charged services and reservations may still cost money.
Find an eligible fee-free day
Use the official calendar before choosing a free entrance day. Confirm who qualifies and which charges are waived.
Questions about Joshua Tree fees
Quick answers to the practical questions below.
Is the Joshua Tree entrance fee per car?
Yes. The vehicle pass covers everyone in one non-commercial vehicle on the day of purchase and the next six days.
Does Joshua Tree charge a nonresident supplement?
No. Joshua Tree is not on the NPS list of parks charging the additional $100 nonresident fee.
Can I use cash at Joshua Tree?
North and West entrance stations take cards only. The park lists visitor centers and several partner locations that accept cash or cards.
Does an entrance pass include Keys Ranch?
No. Ranger-led Keys Ranch tours cost extra and require advance reservations.
How we built this page.
An independent guide using official data. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service.
- Official guidance
- NPS and the relevant operators. The linked official pages support the access, facilities and rules described here. Confirm details before traveling.
- Schedules and conditions
- Planning patterns, not live status. Seasonal information describes the normal pattern or explicitly dated source schedule. Current conditions are handled separately. The official source is the place to confirm today’s access.
Topic sources and data details
Fees, coverage, eligibility and buying instructions come from the official sources linked beside the tables and cards. The displayed price inventory is dated 2026. Prices retain the listed charging unit and eligibility.
Cost estimates use the listed standard-entry rates and documented interagency pass coverage. They exclude organized or commercial groups, separately charged activities, and guessed fees at other parks. A residency choice does not replace the eligibility documents required by NPS.
The fee-free section points to official dates and eligibility without storing a fixed calendar in this page. Current closures, temporary rules and services are carried separately by Current conditions. A design review does not refresh an underlying table verification date.
Operational source check: September 11, 2026. Design and emphasized source review: 2026-10-21. A design review does not refresh every underlying record.