cottonwood visitor center

You can tell this smaller visitors' centre at the south end of the park gets less visitors. We thought we had seen everything we wanted to see. The rangers encouraged us to visit Cottonwood Spring. We were very glad we did. After the dryness of the low desert in contract to the high desert, it felt like we had found an oasis!The staff is friendly and happy to help - whether you are coming or going. I heard the ranger telling a camper there was a ranger talk that night. I had a sudden urge to stay - and see the stars. Next time!

We exited Joshua Tree through the Cottonwood Visitors Centre.The staff and rangers were helpful and friendly. Good wee gift shop. Got a well priced book on reptiles for our grandson.Worthwhile to drop in on the way in or out of Joshua Tree and only a few miles from I-10 to access the Coachella Valley.

The Cottonwood Visitors Center was our first stop into the Joshua Tree NP. The rangers there were extremely helpful in assisting us plan our day in the park. They couldn't have been nicer. The ranger attending the cash register suggested we get a senior citizens pass which costs $10, and gets us in any National Park/Forest/Monument free for life (normal day pass costs $15!) We are literally set for life. There was a ranger presentation on the desert big horn sheep outside which was informative. The visitors center sits at the southern entrance to the park. This Colorado Desert section of the park is much less scenic than the northern Mojave Desert section, but since we were traversing the whole park, we were glad we entered here.

Very friendly staff who will go the extra mile to assist visitors. Good spot to get maps, buy extra water, or, use the bathroom before entering the park. It is a ways to the next rest stop. This location is about 70 miles from the western entrance.

Joshua Tree's Southern most entrance was closed by the time I got there. Not closed as in permanently, but closed for the day. It was dark and after 5 by the time I got there.

We started our trip at Cottonwood Visitor Center and the ranger was very helpful in planning our hikes and stops along the way to 29 Palms. They were both helpful, friendly and shared lots of good information. They also have a two mile trail in back of the Visitors Center which identifies the local plants. The visitor center also has lots of book and souvenirs on Joshua Tree NP.Its a great way to start the trip.

Just 9 miles north of I-10, Cottonwood Visitor Centor was our starting point for a round trip drive from Indio through the entire park to the northern exit and returning to Indio through Palm Springs.The drive was very smooth as it traversed an excellent, newly paved road through very diverse low and high desert scenery and flora. It was like floating across the desert floor! The altitude changes were almost imperceptible except for the geology and the flora. The highest point for us was 4400 feet. At Cottonwood we started at an altitude of about 2000 feet. We eventually reached the Joshua Trees at 3800 feet. There were excellent pull offs with descriptive information along the way. We enjoyed Ocotillo Patch, The Pinto Basin and mountain in the distance, The Chola Cactus Garden, Two Deserts change...moving from the low Colorado desert to the high Mojave desert, then the Joshua Trees, Skull Rock and finally The Hidden Valley. The Hidden Valley was very interesting, but loaded with tour buses. The temperature was 107 in Palm Springs and 87 at 4400 feet in the park.A few hikes were closed, but there are many! Check in the visitor center.Round trip...door to door...we spent 6 hours...about 140 miles traveled.

The Cottonwood Visitor Center is located 9mi (14.6k) inside the South Entrance of Joshua Tree National Park which is just north of Interstate 10 and about 25mi (40k) east of Indio. This visitor center is actually located 32mi (52k) south of the North Entrance near Twentynine Palms. There is little reason to stop here due to the indefinite closing of the very worthwhile trails that start near this visitor center; Cottonwood Springs, Mastodon Peak and Lost Palm Oasis, unless one is entering from the south or camping at the nearby Cottonwood Campground which remains open. These trails are closed due to heavy metal contamination from an old mine and we found the alternate trails in the area being promoted by the NPS to be disappointing. If you are entering from one of the northern entrances, it is probably not worth the time to come here especially with the possibility of delays along road leading here, Pinto Basin Road, for improvements to the road. Although the NPS says the delays can be as long as 30 minutes, we found them to be relatively short and generally occurring only during normal working hours.

Farthest south campground from the town of Joshua Tree and closest to Highway 10 and one of the few that can handle large rv's ; however, half the fabulous trails are currently closed for an unlimited time period as they have had slides from old mining sites that have minerals that apparently are harmful.

We stopped here twice while driving through the park. Very glad of its location as there are no other "comfort" stations for miles around. If you are headed south beyond the park toward Mecca or Salton Sea be sure to take Box Canyon Road. Good, scenic drive. Don't attempt Box Canyon Road if it is raining!

We stopped here on our way out of Joshua Tree National Park. We should have gone into the park through here. Very interesting exhibits about the park.

Lots of information available and knowledgeable staff. Restrooms very clean. Good starting point for the park.

The staff here were great and provided lots of information about the wildflowers and birds in the park. They also took the time to explain areas to hike. They were much more helpful than the staff at the Joshua Tree Visitors Center.

The rangers at Cottonwood are doing a yeoman's job keeping things together in the face the sequester.

Good place to get information about what is opened and closed in the park before drive it. Helpful and courteous staff.