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🌱 How did Highway 62 become Joshua Tree’s lifeline across the desert?

Joshua Tree, California Patch AM: a 5 min read

Hey hey Joshua Tree! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How did Highway 62 become Joshua Tree’s lifeline across the desert?
  • Which Joshua Tree–linked Shakespeare twist opens Theatre 29’s new season?
  • Why Joshua Tree’s crowds dipped—and which entrances stay a bit calmer

Also on today's calendar: Marinelli Bros. Circus - A New Experience! and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: David's father has three sons: Snap, Crackle, and... ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Very hot; breezy in the p.m., with a high of 107 and low of 81 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: Very hot; breezy in the p.m., temps: high: 108, low: 79.
  • Monday: Sunny, breezy and hot, with a high of 105 and low of 76 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• San Bernardino County history: State Route 62 – Welcome to San Bernardino County (sbcounty.gov) — State Route 62 is the main east–west highway running through Joshua Tree, linking the town and Joshua Tree National Park to Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms, and I‑10. A new county history feature explains how this desert route evolved from a 1930s dirt road into today’s 151‑mile corridor that also serves the Marine base and a designated Scenic Highway segment.
   

• Theatre 29 announces their 28th season slate of new works and old favorites (z1077fm.com) — Joshua Tree arts fans can look forward to Theatre 29’s newly announced 2026–27 season, including an October Mojave Desert–themed Romeo & Juliet staged with the Joshua Tree Shakespeare Company. The lineup also features Little Women, Mean Girls, Moon Over Buffalo, and Come From Away, plus cabarets and improv. Season tickets will be available soon, with auditions for the season set for August 29, 2026.
   

• Travel Destinations on West Coast People Are Not Visiting (cheapism.com) — Joshua Tree National Park is seeing slightly fewer visitors after years of intense crowding, with full campgrounds, tight trailhead parking, and higher lodging costs still shaping the experience for locals and visitors. The article notes the park remains busy on spring weekends and holidays, and suggests quieter access by entering through Twentynine Palms or Cottonwood instead of the heavily used west entrance. It also compares Joshua Tree’s visitation dip with other West Coast destinations facing similar tourism shifts.
   

📸 Around Joshua Tree

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Joshua Tree

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📣 Joshua Tree Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Copper Mountain Community College posted a job opening for Noncredit English as a Second Language (ESL) Instructor, Part Time Faculty in Joshua Tree. Apply here.
  • Fire Department posted a job opening for Regional Manager - Desert District Operations in Joshua Tree. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Joshua Tree here.

🗞 Nearby News

Yucca Valley

  • TSG No.: 92794750 TS No.: CA2600294766 APN: 0596-463-01-0-000 Property Address: (hidesertstar.com)

Twentynine Palms

Desert Hot Springs

  • Hundreds of Flock cameras being used to record motorists throughout the Coachella Valley (desertsun.com)
  • Passenger Alexis Dare Dead in Rollover Crash on I-10 (sweetlaw.com)

Ok Joshua Tree! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: David! (Thank you Linda S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Joshua Tree

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Joshua Tree

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.