2014 SETS NEW RECORD FOR JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK VISITATION

A new National Park Service report shows that nearly 1.6 million people visited Joshua Tree National Park in 2014, up from 1.4 million in 2013. Park Superintendent David Smith said, “Joshua Tree has evolved from a fall-through-spring park, to a year-round destination.” Over 180,000 people visited the park in December, up more than 50,000 compared to the next most-visited December, which was in 2012. The most recent economic analysis of Joshua Tree National Park showed that visitors spent almost $63 million in communities near the park in 2013. With the increase in visitor numbers, the park expects a significant increase in tourism dollars spent in the Morongo Basin. Just over 30 percent of visitors’ dollars were spent on lodging, followed by 27 percent for food, 12 percent for gas, 10 percent for admissions and fees, and 10 percent for souvenirs. The Park Service says visitor spending supports 770 jobs in the local area. Smith added, the park has outstanding relations with local governments who recognize the value and benefits provided by Joshua Tree National Park, and cited recent road improvements to Black Rock campground in Yucca Valley and National Park Drive in Twentynine Palms.