Jeff Goulden Joshua Tree National Park Pictures, Images and Stock Photos

The Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert of the American Southwest. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. This Joshua Tree was photographed at the Jumbo Rocks area in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Water is a scarce resource in the desert Southwest. In the early 1900's cattle ranchers, needing a natural water source, built a catch basin in this high desert area of California to capture rainfall and runoff. Later, a dam was built here by the Barker and Shay Cattle Company to expand the reservoir. Because of insufficient rainfall in the area, cattle ranching was a short lived enterprise. Today, Barker Reservoir in Joshua National Park, California is a quiet oasis, providing water and shelter for desert animals and migrating birds.

The strange looking Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. The Joshua Tree doesn't bloom every year which may have something to do with the amount of rainfall received. This Joshua Tree blossom was photographed at the Split Rock area in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Water is a scarce resource in the desert Southwest. In the early 1900's cattle ranchers, needing a natural water source, built a catch basin in this high desert area of California to capture rainfall and runoff. Later, a dam was built here by the Barker and Shay Cattle Company to expand the reservoir. Because of insufficient rainfall in the area, cattle ranching was a short lived enterprise. Today, Barker Reservoir in Joshua National Park, California is a quiet oasis, providing water and shelter for desert animals and migrating birds.

Joshua Tree National Park in California attracts rock climbers from all over the world. This high desert gneiss formation climbing mecca is famous for its traditional crack, slab, and steep face climbing. This woman climber is making her way up an almost vertical face while being belayed from below.

Joshua Tree National Park in California attracts rock climbers from all over the world. This high desert gneiss formation climbing mecca is famous for its traditional crack, slab, and steep face climbing. This woman climber is making her way up an almost vertical face while being belayed from below.

Water is a scarce resource in the desert Southwest. In the early 1900's cattle ranchers, needing a natural water source, built a catch basin in this high desert area of California to capture rainfall and runoff. Later, a dam was built here by the Barker and Shay Cattle Company to expand the reservoir. Because of insufficient rainfall in the area, cattle ranching was a short lived enterprise. Today, Barker Reservoir in Joshua National Park, California is a quiet oasis, providing water and shelter for desert animals and migrating birds.

Water is a scarce resource in the desert Southwest. In the early 1900's cattle ranchers, needing a natural water source, built a catch basin in this high desert area of California to capture rainfall and runoff. Later, a dam was built here by the Barker and Shay Cattle Company to expand the reservoir. Because of insufficient rainfall in the area, cattle ranching was a short lived enterprise. Today, Barker Reservoir in Joshua National Park, California is a quiet oasis, providing water and shelter for desert animals and migrating birds.

One of the most striking features of the Mojave Desert in the American Southwest are the pillowy shaped rock formations and the strange looking plants that surround them. Heat and pressure over thousands of years transformed sedimentary rock into an entirely new kind of rock called gneiss. These gneiss formations surrounded by yucca were photographed at the Live Oak area in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Two of the most striking features of the Mojave Desert in the American Southwest are the pillowy shaped rock formations and the strange looking plants that surround them. Heat and pressure over thousands of years transformed sedimentary rock into an entirely new kind of rock called gneiss. The strange looking Joshua Tree, Yucca Brevifolia, is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. These Joshua Trees were photographed at the Queen Valley Homestead in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

The abandoned Desert Queen Mine is located in what is now Joshua Tree National Park in California, USA. The mine was not hugely successful but remained in operation for nearly 75 years. This abandoned automobile is located close to the mine.

The abandoned Desert Queen Mine is located in what is now Joshua Tree National Park in California, USA. The mine was not hugely successful but remained in operation for nearly 75 years. This homestead of unknown history is located close to the mine.

Water is a scarce resource in the desert Southwest. In the early 1900's cattle ranchers, needing a natural water source, built a catch basin in this high desert area of California to capture rainfall and runoff. Later, a dam was built here by the Barker and Shay Cattle Company to expand the reservoir. Because of insufficient rainfall in the area, cattle ranching was a short lived enterprise. Today, Barker Reservoir in Joshua National Park, California is a quiet oasis, providing water and shelter for desert animals and migrating birds.

Two of the most striking features of the Mojave Desert in the American Southwest are the pillowy shaped rock formations and the strange looking plants that surround them. Heat and pressure over thousands of years transformed sedimentary rock into an entirely new kind of rock called gneiss. The strange looking Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. This Joshua Tree was photographed at the Split Rock area in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

The Wall Street Stamp Mill was operated by William F. Keys, a local rancher, from 1930 - 1966. The mill was used to crush gold ore and extract the precious metal. In 1975, the Wall Street Stamp Mill was entered into the National Register of Historic Sites. The mill is located in what is now Joshua Tree National Park in California, USA.

The abandoned Desert Queen Mine is located in what is now Joshua Tree National Park in California, USA. The mine was not hugely successful but remained in operation for nearly 75 years. This homestead of unknown history is located close to the mine.

The abandoned Desert Queen Mine is located in what is now Joshua Tree National Park in California, USA. The mine was not hugely successful but remained in operation for nearly 75 years. This homestead of unknown history is located close to the mine.

Two of the most striking features of the Mojave Desert in the American Southwest are the pillowy shaped rock formations and the strange looking plants that surround them. Heat and pressure over thousands of years transformed sedimentary rock into an entirely new kind of rock called gneiss. The strange looking Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. This Joshua Tree was photographed at the Split Rock area in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Water is a scarce resource in the desert Southwest. In the early 1900's cattle ranchers, needing a natural water source, built a catch basin in this high desert area of California to capture rainfall and runoff. Later, the dam pictured here was built by the Barker and Shay Cattle Company to expand the reservoir. Because of insufficient rainfall in the area, cattle ranching was a short lived enterprise. Today, Barker Reservoir in Joshua National Park, California is a quiet oasis, providing water and shelter for desert animals and migrating birds.

During the 2018 - 2019 US Government shutdown, protected Joshua Trees at Joshua Tree National Park were vandalized. This woman hiker was observing the damage to the trees that were cut down next to the Wall Street Mill Trail.

During the 2018 - 2019 US Government shutdown, protected Joshua Trees at Joshua Tree National Park were vandalized. This woman hiker was observing the damage to the trees that were cut down next to the Wall Street Mill Trail.

During the 2018 - 2019 US Government shutdown, protected Joshua Trees at Joshua Tree National Park were vandalized. This woman hiker was observing the damage to the trees that were cut down next to the Wall Street Mill Trail.

Cirrus clouds appear in a blue sky over Pinto Basin in Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA.

During the 2018 - 2019 US Government shutdown, protected Joshua Trees at Joshua Tree National Park were vandalized. This woman hiker was observing the damage to the trees that were cut down next to the Wall Street Mill Trail.

Two of the most striking features of the Mojave Desert in the American Southwest are the pillowy shaped rock formations and the strange looking plants that surround them. Heat and pressure over thousands of years transformed sedimentary rock into an entirely new kind of rock called gneiss. The strange looking Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. These Joshua Trees were photographed at the Queen Valley Homestead in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Two of the most striking features of the Mojave Desert in the American Southwest are the pillowy shaped rock formations and the strange looking plants that surround them. Heat and pressure over thousands of years transformed sedimentary rock into an entirely new kind of rock called gneiss. The strange looking Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. These Joshua Trees were photographed at the Queen Valley Homestead in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

The abandoned Desert Queen Mine is located in what is now Joshua Tree National Park in California, USA. The mine was not hugely successful but remained in operation for nearly 75 years. This homestead of unknown history is located close to the mine.

Two of the most striking features of the Mojave Desert in the American Southwest are the pillowy shaped rock formations and the strange looking plants that surround them. Heat and pressure over thousands of years transformed sedimentary rock into an entirely new kind of rock called gneiss. The strange looking Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. These Joshua Trees were photographed at the Queen Valley Homestead in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

The abandoned Desert Queen Mine is located in what is now Joshua Tree National Park in California, USA. The mine was not hugely successful but remained in operation for nearly 75 years. This homestead of unknown history is located close to the mine.

The abandoned Desert Queen Mine is located in what is now Joshua Tree National Park in California, USA. The mine was not hugely successful but remained in operation for nearly 75 years. This abandoned windmill is located close to the mine.

Joshua Tree National Park in California attracts rock climbers from all over the world. This high desert gneiss formation climbing mecca is famous for its traditional crack, slab, and steep face climbing. This woman climber is making her way up an almost vertical face while being belayed from below.

Joshua Tree National Park in California attracts rock climbers from all over the world. This high desert gneiss formation climbing mecca is famous for its traditional crack, slab, and steep face climbing. This woman climber is making her way up an almost vertical face while being belayed from below.

Joshua Tree National Park in California attracts rock climbers from all over the world. This high desert gneiss formation climbing mecca is famous for its traditional crack, slab, and steep face climbing. This woman climber is making her way up an almost vertical face while being belayed from below.

Joshua Tree National Park in California attracts rock climbers from all over the world. This high desert gneiss formation climbing mecca is famous for its traditional crack, slab, and steep face climbing. This woman climber is making her way up an almost vertical face while being belayed from below.

Joshua Tree National Park in California attracts rock climbers from all over the world. This high desert gneiss formation climbing mecca is famous for its traditional crack, slab, and steep face climbing. This woman climber is making her way up an almost vertical face while being belayed from below.

The Ocotillo Cactus (Fouquieria splendens) is native to the Sonoran and Colorado Deserts in the southwest United States. It is not a true cactus. It can be found in the southern half of Joshua Tree National Park, California. In one corner of the Pinto Basin is a large collection of these plants, known as the Ocotillo Patch. Also called coachwhip, candlewood, and desert coral, the Ocotillo can grow up to 33 feet tall. For most of its life the Ocotillo appears to be a large collection of dead sticks. When rainfall comes, the spiny stems are quickly covered with small leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months. Soon after the leaves come, the stems of the plant grow a bright crimson flower.

The Ocotillo Cactus (Fouquieria splendens) is native to the Sonoran and Colorado Deserts in the southwest United States. It is not a true cactus. It can be found in the southern half of Joshua Tree National Park, California. In one corner of the Pinto Basin is a large collection of these plants, known as the Ocotillo Patch. Also called coachwhip, candlewood, and desert coral, the Ocotillo can grow up to 33 feet tall. For most of its life the Ocotillo appears to be a large collection of dead sticks. When rainfall comes, the spiny stems are quickly covered with small leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months. Soon after the leaves come, the stems of the plant grow a bright crimson flower.

Two of the most striking features of the Mojave Desert in the American Southwest are the pillowy shaped rock formations and the strange looking plants that surround them. Heat and pressure over thousands of years transformed sedimentary rock into an entirely new kind of rock called gneiss. This Gneiss formation was photographed at the Ryan Mountain Trail in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Water is a scarce resource in the desert Southwest. In the early 1900's cattle ranchers, needing a natural water source, built a catch basin in this high desert area of California to capture rainfall and runoff. Later, a dam was built here by the Barker and Shay Cattle Company to expand the reservoir. Because of insufficient rainfall in the area, cattle ranching was a short lived enterprise. Today, Barker Reservoir in Joshua National Park, California is a quiet oasis, providing water and shelter for desert animals and migrating birds. A photographer is casting his shadow while taking a picture of the oasis.

Water is a scarce resource in the desert Southwest. In the early 1900's cattle ranchers, needing a natural water source, built a catch basin in this high desert area of California to capture rainfall and runoff. Later, a dam was built here by the Barker and Shay Cattle Company to expand the reservoir. Because of insufficient rainfall in the area, cattle ranching was a short lived enterprise. Today, Barker Reservoir in Joshua National Park, California is a quiet oasis, providing water and shelter for desert animals and migrating birds.

The Ocotillo Cactus (Fouquieria splendens) is native to the Sonoran and Colorado Deserts in the southwest United States. It is not a true cactus. It can be found in the southern half of Joshua Tree National Park, California. In one corner of the Pinto Basin is a large collection of these plants, known as the Ocotillo Patch. Also called coachwhip, candlewood, and desert coral, the Ocotillo can grow up to 33 feet tall. For most of its life the Ocotillo appears to be a large collection of dead sticks. When rainfall comes, the spiny stems are quickly covered with small leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months. Soon after the leaves come, the stems of the plant grow a bright crimson flower.

The Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii), is a cactus species native to the Sonoran Desert of Northwestern Mexico and to the Colorado Desert of Southern California. It can also be found in the Mojave Desert of Arizona and Nevada. This unusual stand of Cholla exists in Pinto Basin in the southern part of Joshua Tree National Park, California. Pinto Basin is a large expanse of alluvial fans covered by Creosote Bush and Burro Bush. It also contains an unusual 10 acre patch of Teddy Bear Cholla known as the Cholla Cactus Garden.

The Ocotillo Cactus (Fouquieria splendens) is native to the Sonoran and Colorado Deserts in the southwest United States. It is not a true cactus. It can be found in the southern half of Joshua Tree National Park, California. In one corner of the Pinto Basin is a large collection of these plants, known as the Ocotillo Patch. Also called coachwhip, candlewood, and desert coral, the Ocotillo can grow up to 33 feet tall. For most of its life the Ocotillo appears to be a large collection of dead sticks. When rainfall comes, the spiny stems are quickly covered with small leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months. Soon after the leaves come, the stems of the plant grow a bright crimson flower.

The Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii), is a cactus species native to the Sonoran Desert of Northwestern Mexico and to the Colorado Desert of Southern California. It can also be found in the Mojave Desert of Arizona and Nevada. This unusual stand of Cholla exists in Pinto Basin in the southern part of Joshua Tree National Park, California. Pinto Basin is a large expanse of alluvial fans covered by Creosote Bush and Burro Bush. It also contains an unusual 10 acre patch of Teddy Bear Cholla known as the Cholla Cactus Garden.

The Ocotillo Cactus (Fouquieria splendens) is native to the Sonoran and Colorado Deserts in the southwest United States. It is not a true cactus. It can be found in the southern half of Joshua Tree National Park, California. In one corner of the Pinto Basin is a large collection of these plants, known as the Ocotillo Patch. Also called coachwhip, candlewood, and desert coral, the Ocotillo can grow up to 33 feet tall. For most of its life the Ocotillo appears to be a large collection of dead sticks. When rainfall comes, the spiny stems are quickly covered with small leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months. Soon after the leaves come, the stems of the plant grow a bright crimson flower.

Two of the most striking features of the Mojave Desert in the American Southwest are the pillowy shaped rock formations and the strange looking plants that surround them. Heat and pressure over thousands of years transformed sedimentary rock into an entirely new kind of rock called gneiss. The strange looking Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. This Joshua Tree was photographed at the Cap Rock area in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

The Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert of the American Southwest. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. This Joshua Tree was photographed at the Jumbo Rocks area in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

The Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert of the American Southwest. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. This Joshua Tree was photographed at the Jumbo Rocks area in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

The Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert of the American Southwest. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. This Joshua Tree was photographed at the Jumbo Rocks area in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

The Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii), is a cactus species native to the Sonoran Desert of Northwestern Mexico and to the Colorado Desert of Southern California. It can also be found in the Mojave Desert of Arizona and Nevada. This unusual stand of Cholla exists in Pinto Basin in the southern part of Joshua Tree National Park, California. Pinto Basin is a large expanse of alluvial fans covered by Creosote Bush and Burro Bush. It also contains an unusual 10 acre patch of Teddy Bear Cholla known as the Cholla Cactus Garden.

The Ocotillo Cactus (Fouquieria splendens) is native to the Sonoran and Colorado Deserts in the southwest United States. It is not a true cactus. It can be found in the southern half of Joshua Tree National Park, California. In one corner of the Pinto Basin is a large collection of these plants, known as the Ocotillo Patch. Also called coachwhip, candlewood, and desert coral, the Ocotillo can grow up to 33 feet tall. For most of its life the Ocotillo appears to be a large collection of dead sticks. When rainfall comes, the spiny stems are quickly covered with small leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months. Soon after the leaves come, the stems of the plant grow a bright crimson flower.

Pinto Basin in Joshua Tree National Park is at the convergence of the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts. This area, surrounded by nearby mountains, is hotter than the upper reaches of the park. Absent are the Joshua Tree and the pillowy Gneiss rock formations. Instead are vast expanses of Cholla, Ocotillo, Creosote, Burrobrush and a variety of cacti.

The Ocotillo Cactus (Fouquieria splendens) is native to the Sonoran and Colorado Deserts in the southwest United States. It is not a true cactus. It can be found in the southern half of Joshua Tree National Park, California. In one corner of the Pinto Basin is a large collection of these plants, known as the Ocotillo Patch. Also called coachwhip, candlewood, and desert coral, the Ocotillo can grow up to 33 feet tall. For most of its life the Ocotillo appears to be a large collection of dead sticks. When rainfall comes, the spiny stems are quickly covered with small leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months. Soon after the leaves come, the stems of the plant grow a bright crimson flower.

The Ocotillo Cactus (Fouquieria splendens) is native to the Sonoran and Colorado Deserts in the southwest United States. It is not a true cactus. It can be found in the southern half of Joshua Tree National Park, California. In one corner of the Pinto Basin is a large collection of these plants, known as the Ocotillo Patch. Also called coachwhip, candlewood, and desert coral, the Ocotillo can grow up to 33 feet tall. For most of its life the Ocotillo appears to be a large collection of dead sticks. When rainfall comes, the spiny stems are quickly covered with small leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months. Soon after the leaves come, the stems of the plant grow a bright crimson flower.

Two of the most striking features of the Mojave Desert in the American Southwest are the pillowy shaped rock formations and the strange looking plants that surround them. Heat and pressure over thousands of years transformed sedimentary rock into an entirely new kind of rock called gneiss. The strange looking Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. This Joshua Tree was photographed at the Cap Rock area in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

The Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii), is a cactus species native to the Sonoran Desert of Northwestern Mexico and to the Colorado Desert of Southern California. It can also be found in the Mojave Desert of Arizona and Nevada. This unusual stand of Cholla exists in Pinto Basin in the southern part of Joshua Tree National Park, California. Pinto Basin is a large expanse of alluvial fans covered by Creosote Bush and Burro Bush. It also contains an unusual 10 acre patch of Teddy Bear Cholla known as the Cholla Cactus Garden.

Two of the most striking features of the Mojave Desert in the American Southwest are the pillowy shaped rock formations and the strange looking plants that surround them. Heat and pressure over thousands of years transformed sedimentary rock into an entirely new kind of rock called gneiss. The strange looking Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. This Joshua Tree was photographed at the Cap Rock area in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

The Ocotillo Cactus (Fouquieria splendens) is native to the Sonoran and Colorado Deserts in the southwest United States. It is not a true cactus. It can be found in the southern half of Joshua Tree National Park, California. In one corner of the Pinto Basin is a large collection of these plants, known as the Ocotillo Patch. Also called coachwhip, candlewood, and desert coral, the Ocotillo can grow up to 33 feet tall. For most of its life the Ocotillo appears to be a large collection of dead sticks. When rainfall comes, the spiny stems are quickly covered with small leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months. Soon after the leaves come, the stems of the plant grow a bright crimson flower.

The Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii), is a cactus species native to the Sonoran Desert of Northwestern Mexico and to the Colorado Desert of Southern California. It can also be found in the Mojave Desert of Arizona and Nevada. This unusual stand of Cholla exists in Pinto Basin in the southern part of Joshua Tree National Park, California. Pinto Basin is a large expanse of alluvial fans covered by Creosote Bush and Burro Bush. It also contains an unusual 10 acre patch of Teddy Bear Cholla known as the Cholla Cactus Garden.

The Ocotillo Cactus (Fouquieria splendens) is native to the Sonoran and Colorado Deserts in the southwest United States. It is not a true cactus. It can be found in the southern half of Joshua Tree National Park, California. In one corner of the Pinto Basin is a large collection of these plants, known as the Ocotillo Patch. Also called coachwhip, candlewood, and desert coral, the Ocotillo can grow up to 33 feet tall. For most of its life the Ocotillo appears to be a large collection of dead sticks. When rainfall comes, the spiny stems are quickly covered with small leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months. Soon after the leaves come, the stems of the plant grow a bright crimson flower.