Greatheart Press

America’s National Parks

Puzzle 56 · The Desert Southwest · Page 80 in print

Joshua Tree

Mormon settlers are said to have named the Joshua tree for its outstretched branches, which reminded them of the biblical Joshua guiding them west, though the records offer little evidence for the tale.

Jump to a word
Field of Joshua trees and boulder landscape.

A field of Joshua trees beneath a cloudy sky.

NPS/Paul Martinez · Public domain (U.S. federal government work) · Original record
Image changes

Resized and converted to JPEG for display; no subject alteration.

Joshua tree with cloudy backdrop.

The branching form of a Joshua tree.

NPS/Paul Martinez · Public domain (U.S. federal government work) · Original record
Image changes

Resized and converted to JPEG for display; no subject alteration.

The words

  1. Barker Dam

    Barker Dam, the historic dam and water habitat in Joshua Tree.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  2. Chuckwalla

    The chuckwalla, the desert lizard represented in the park's official brochure.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  3. Hidden Valley

    Hidden Valley, the named valley and trail area among the park's rock formations.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  4. Joshua Tree

    The Joshua tree, the Mojave Desert plant giving the park its name.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  5. Jumping Cholla

    Jumping cholla, the cactus occurring in the park's Colorado Desert habitat.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  6. Keys View

    Keys View, the viewpoint overlooking the San Andreas Fault and surrounding landscape.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  7. Minerva Hoyt

    Minerva Hoyt, the conservation advocate whose work helped protect Joshua Tree.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  8. Mojave

    The Mojave Desert, the northern desert habitat in Joshua Tree National Park.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  9. Monzogranite

    Monzogranite, the granitic rock forming the park's boulder landscape.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  10. Oasis of Mara

    The Oasis of Mara, the desert oasis tied to the park's human history.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  11. Pinto Basin

    Pinto Basin, the basin in the park's northeastern area.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  12. Ryan Mountain

    Ryan Mountain, the mountain summit reached by the Ryan Mountain trail.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  13. Serrano

    The Serrano people, whose traditional homeland includes park lands.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  14. Skull Rock

    Skull Rock, the named rock feature beside the Skull Rock trail.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  15. Yucca Moth

    The yucca moth, the insect pollinating Joshua tree flowers.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

Sources

  1. Hiking - Joshua Tree National ParkNational Park Service
  2. Park Map and Brochure - Joshua Tree National ParkNational Park Service
  3. Nature - Joshua Tree National ParkNational Park Service
  4. Park History - Joshua Tree National ParkNational Park Service
  5. Geologic Formations - Joshua Tree National ParkNational Park Service
  6. Oasis of Mara - Joshua Tree National ParkNational Park Service
  7. Native Americans - Joshua Tree National ParkNational Park Service
  8. Joshua Trees - Joshua Tree National ParkNational Park Service

How we choose sources and photographs