January 24, 2018 George Land , 760-367-5507

Beginning February 1, 2018, park visitors will have a choice of driving into the park or taking a new shuttle bus service. Joshua Tree National Park has partnered with Morongo Basin Transit Authority and will be offering shuttle service to designated stops in and around the park. Shuttles will leave every two hours from the Joshua Tree and Oasis Visitor Centers and will make stops at Jumbo Rocks campground, Ryan Mountain parking lot, Hidden Valley day use area, Intersection Rocks, Barker Dam and Upper Boy Scout Trail parking lot.

The shuttle is free during the pilot program however; visitors should have a valid park pass to use the service. Schedules will be posted at all visitor centers and shuttle stops. MBTA regulations allow for service animals on the shuttle, however all “pets” are required to be transported in crates. Accommodations are available for wheelchairs and up to two bicycles per bus. Occupancy will be on a first come, first served basis. Superintendent David Smith said, “This is a pilot program and if successful, we look to expand in coming years to more locations and increased frequency of stops. We hope that the new shuttle will alleviate congestion in the more popular areas of the park. Ideally a camper at Jumbo Rocks can leave their vehicle and take the shuttle to specific locations both in and out of the park”.

For more information on Joshua Tree National Park’s new shuttle service visit: www.jtnproadrunner.org .

Starting February 7, campers will be able to reserve campsites at Jumbo Rocks campground as well as Cottonwood campground on the Recreation.gov reservation system. With 124 campsites at Jumbo Rocks and another 60 sites at Cottonwood, it is an increase of 184 additional campsites that can be reserved on-line. Smith says, “This will help eliminate the frustration of campers who arrive at the park only to find there are no campsites available”. Sites can be reserved up to six months in advance by visiting www.recreation.gov