Rock-based Recreation at JOTR
Climbing Management Plan Update
On April 20, 2021 Joshua Tree National Park hosted a Zoom virtual public meeting from 6-8 pm. The meeting was well attended with over 150 people joining on-line for the presentation. In this virtual meeting park staff discussed:

  • Why a Climbing Management Plan (CMP) is needed
  • What objectives the park is striving to achieve in developing the Climbing Management Plan (CMP)
  • An overview of the issues the park is addressing as part of the plan
  • Wilderness policy and how climbing activities in wilderness could change to meet policy
  • How the public will be involved in the planning process as it moves forward

**It is important to note, the park takes the position that Climbing is an appropriate recreational activity within both wilderness and non-wilderness areas within the park.
Virtual Public Meeting
Image: David Smith, Superintendent, presenting during virtual public meeting
Public Meeting Recording
The meeting was recorded and the park urges anyone who was not able to view the presentation live, to view the recording:

Rock-Based Recreation at Joshua Tree
Climbing Picture
As part of the public meeting presentation, Climbing Ranger Bernadette Regan discussed the state of rock climbing in Joshua Tree. For instance, we have counted over 2,200
climbing formations in the park
and an estimated 7,200 climbing routes.
Image: Bouldering within the park
Wilderness Policy

Approximately 85% of the park is established by law as Wilderness and there are many great climbing routes located in wilderness. Listen to Mark Husbands, NPS Project Manager, discuss wilderness policy and how it pertains to rock-based recreation activities and the CMP. Did you know: 
  • Bolts are installations in wilderness and therefore are generally prohibited, but can be authorized through an established process referred to as "minimum requirements analysis"​.
  • NPS policy says climbing is a legitimate and appropriate use of wilderness and accepts that bolts are sometimes necessary​.
  • NPS policy refers to bolt-intensive face climbs (i.e. sport climbs) as incompatible with wilderness preservation.​
Climbing within Sacred Land

The land that is today managed by Joshua Tree National Park includes portions of the ancestral homelands of the Chemehuevi, Cahuilla, and Serrano, and areas of traditional use of the Mojave. Joshua Tree is committed to protecting and preserving the continuing cultures of these communities. Jason Theuer, Joshua Tree Archeologist, discussed some of the ways that cultural resources and climbing overlap, and how the park is engaging its traditionally associated Native American communities in management of their ancestral and cultural heritage.

  • Native American communities traditionally associated with Joshua Tree still have a strong presence here. They foster deep relationships with the cultural and natural resources across the landscape.
  • While rock climbing can directly damage rock art, loss of vegetation and visitor-created trails that pass through archeological sites also damage resources.
  • There are 15 Native American communities traditionally associated with the lands managed by the park. Joshua Tree is working to collaborate with these communities and will also complete government-to-government consultation with them when the CMP is completed according to law.
Picture of Joshua Tree Superintendent David Smith
Image: David Smith, Superintendent
We look forward to your participation in the planning process for Joshua Tree's Climbing Management Plan. If you have any questions please call us or send us an email.

Sincerely,
David A. Smith, Superintendent

(760) 367-5500