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Our Vision

Every day we work to provide an extraordinary place where smiles and laughter lead to wonderful memories with family members, friends, and caregivers. We want Morgan’s Wonderland to be a place where the common element of play creates an atmosphere of inclusion for those with and without disabilities while encouraging everyone to gain a greater understanding of one another.

Morgan’s Wonderland is just like any other theme park except for a culture and environment that assures 100 percent enjoyment by every person entering the Welcome Center. Unfortunately, countless children and adults with special needs do not have access to facilities that enable them to enjoy outdoor recreation fully. Morgan’s Wonderland is changing that every day.

The Inspiration

Call her a catalyst, a spark, an inspiration. Morgan Hartman doesn’t realize it, but her ability to smile through physical and cognitive special needs spurred her parents – Gordon and Maggie Hartman – to do things never before accomplished for individuals with special needs and their families. Morgan inspired the creation of a one-of-a-kind theme park and other initiatives benefiting the inclusive community.

The tipping point occurred in 2006 when Gordon observed Morgan wanting to play with other vacationing kids at a hotel swimming pool, but the kids were leery of Morgan and didn’t want to interact with her. Then and there, Gordon and Maggie resolved to create opportunities and places where those with and without disabilities can come together for fun and better understand one another. That led to the construction of Morgan’s Wonderland in an abandoned quarry in Northeast San Antonio. It’s apropos that the butterfly is the symbol of this unique theme park; soaring to one success after another is now commonplace.

When it celebrated its grand opening on April 10, 2010, Morgan’s Wonderland became the world’s first theme park designed with individuals with special needs in mind and built for everyone’s enjoyment. The completely wheelchair-accessible park features more than 25 elements, including rides, playgrounds, and other colorful attractions. From the very beginning, anyone with a special need has been admitted free of charge, no questions asked.

It is Morgan’s sincere hope that everyone with a special need – young and older, healthy or ailing, introspective, or outgoing – will be touched extraordinarily by Morgan’s Wonderland: a shrine of inclusion, an oasis of friendship, an unforgettable wonderland…Morgan’s Wonderland!

The Visionary

Native San Antonian Gordon V. Hartman sold his highly-successful homebuilding business in 2005 to pursue his and wife Maggie’s dream of helping children and adults with special needs. He proceeded to build nonprofit Morgan’s Wonderland, still the world’s first and only Ultra-Accessible, fully-inclusive theme park.

The phenomenal success of Morgan’s Wonderland – almost 3 million guests from all 50 states and over 120 other countries through park visitation and special events – encouraged Gordon to add award-winning Morgan’s Inspiration Island splash park, Morgan’s Sports complex, year-round Morgan’s Camp and Morgan’s MAC (Multi-Assistance Center). This latest venture involves more than 30 community-based organizations that provide both medical and non-medical services to children and adults with special needs. Morgan’s MAC sets a new standard for delivering coordinated care in an inclusive atmosphere through the guidance and follow-through of specially-educated team members known as Navigators.

All of Gordon’s innovations – and more to come – comprise Morgan’s, the umbrella organization that strategically coordinates planning, fundraising, marketing and communications for all its “family” members. In every endeavor, Gordon emphasizes the importance of inclusion, bringing together those with and without special needs and disabilities for interaction and a better understanding of one another. In addition to his many accomplishments through Morgan’s, Gordon has worked closely with governmental and community leaders on improvements that further add to San Antonio’s growing reputation as “Inclusion City, USA.”

The inspiration for all that Gordon has accomplished is his 30-year-old daughter Morgan, who’s dealt with physical and cognitive special needs since birth. In the beginning, Gordon’s guiding motto was: “Together, we CAN make a difference!” As a result of many successes and lots more to come, that motto now is: “Together, we ARE making a difference!”

Click here to read the full bio.

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RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — Not since the days of Mark Twain has there been anything like what people witnessed in the Steamboat area of south Reno this month — a geyser shooting scalding water 30 feet into the air.

The natural phenomenon attracted curiosity seekers and scientists alike, hoping to catch a glimpse of the most spectacular geyser activity reported in the area since the 1800s.

“I’ve never been to Yellowstone. But for me, this is like a real close second,” said Rachel Micander, a geologic information specialist with the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology.

In the 1800s, Steamboat was estimated to be the third-largest geyser field in the United States. During the 20th century, much of that activity went underground, until just recently, when mineral-rich water started percolating through the surface once again

But in early June, the geyser reemerged, spouting water out from an abandoned geothermal well. Today, the geyser has subsided, but the area is still geothermally active, with several small pots bubbling up nearby.

Water bubbles up from the ground near Steamboat Hot Springs on June 26, 2025.

Geologists are actively studying the area, visiting it often to observe, take water and rock samples and monitor the temperature with probes. Cary Lindsey, research geologist with the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, said she wants to find the answer to the ‘million-dollar question’ — what caused the geyser?

“It could be a lot of things … there’s been a change in the water table in South Reno, when this area moved from more agriculture to more housing. The water table may have risen,” Lindsey said. “We could have had a little micro-earthquake and it could have shaken one of those fluid channels.”

There is geothermal production in the area. We’re not ruling that out but we’re not really looking at that as the primary cause either. We are just leaving all of our options open.

Though what caused the geyser to erupt is an open question, what caused it to since subside may have had something to do with Phil Busick, who owns the land on which it sits.

“There’s a neighbor of mine right over here who has one in his backyard. A very smart guy, he helped us,” Busick said. “We poured cold water just through a garden hose off the building … we stood back a few feet and fed it down the hole and let the water run. And after a half hour to an hour, it settled down.”

It’s kind of neat. You know, it is a natural phenomenon. Not everybody has a geyser or a fissure bubbling hot water in their backyard. So it is something special.

A fissure near where a geyser erupted in early June near Steamboat Hot Springs as seen on June 26, 2025.

The Silver State is one of the most geothermally active areas in the U.S. — it’s perfectly located for such activity because it’s positioned near two tectonic plates, making the Earth’s crust relatively thin.

“Here in western Nevada, that crust is thin enough and that magma is close enough to the surface that it can heat the groundwater as it enters deep into the Earth along these fractures,” local nuclear physicist Taylor Wilson told us last year. source

Disclaimer: Most of the geothermal activity is on private property near the Steamboat Hot Springs. It is blocked off with ‘no trespassing’ and ‘private property’ signs. The water is also over 200 degrees and the ground could be unstable, so experts say it is dangerous and that people should stay away.

It’s a fitful, intermittent eruption that’s happening for a 30-foot ‘geyser’ spouting boiling water on a small property off Alternate 395 South Virginia Street.

The water is coming from a pipe next to a long fissure in the ground – a fissure that geologists started studying last year when it became home to a collection of springs spewing hot bubbling water, less than a foot tall.

“The fissure has been there for a very long time, but it’s been dry,” Rachel Micander, Geologic Information Specialist with the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, explained to 2 News Nevada on Friday. “Last year, in March, we came down and noticed that it was doing what we call perpetual spouting – there was this water, boiling water, coming out of the ground, spouting. Jim Faulds called it a mini geyser.”

She and other scientists studying the area believe that this new geyser is connected to those bubbling water spouts.

It began erupting Sunday afternoon, June 1, and spouted water for about 24 hours by resident reports, before the area completely dried up – including the small spouts nearby. As of Thursday night, it’s erupting again.

Though it’s an interesting and scientifically significant sight, scientists are warning the community not to visit. Micander measured the water temperature at 95 degrees Celsius – over 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

“This can cause third-degree burns. It can kill you,” she said. “Also, the ground in that area is incredibly unstable. There’s hot water flowing all underneath it, and because this geyser is unpredictable, the ground is unpredictable.”

Micander and other geologists aren’t sure what’s behind the geyser activity. She’s currently studying documents outlining the property’s history and permits, to see if they hold clues to what’s facilitating the water’s path to the surface now.

Contrary to rumors, she and other scientists don’t believe that the geyser activity is connected to the geothermal plant up the street, operated by Ormat Technologies. According to Micander, Ormat operates on a closed system at a higher elevation – the water that’s pumped out is reinjected.

The geysers at Steamboat have also been around for decades more, and disappeared long before any geothermal activity nearby. Eruptions weren’t uncommon a century ago. Why the land dried up, and why the water is returning now are questions that Micander and others are studying.

“Geysers operate on a very delicate system. They have things that they need to do geyser things, and if one of those things is out of whack – it could be water, it could be pressure, it could be heat – then you’re not going to have a geyser,” she said.

After the site dried out on Tuesday, Micander almost thought that was the last of it – that South Reno’s geysers had officially disappeared once again. But as long as this new, impressive spout continues to erupt, it may hold more clues to the history and future of the hot water just beneath the South Reno’s surface. source

The search for Tanner Prentiss, 22, began after he did not return to his rental cabin following a night out on Saturday.

Search crews have located the body of 22-year-old Tanner Prentiss, a student at UC Santa Barbara who disappeared over the weekend in Big Bear Lake.

Body of UC Santa Barbara student who went missing in Big Bear Lake found

On Monday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced that its dive team had recovered Prentiss’ body around 10:30 a.m., in the water near Pine Knot Marina on the 40,000 block of Village Drive.

No foul play was suspected, officials said, and the investigation has been handed over to the County Coroner’s Office.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tanner’s family, friends and all those who are affected by his loss,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. Tanner grew up in the Santa Clarita Valley. source

Anyone with information to contact the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station at 909-866-0100. 

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department reported Monday a missing U.C. Santa Barbara student from the Santa Clarita Valley was found dead in Big Bear Lake.

Tanner Prentiss was identified as the 22-year-old student whose body was found Monday morning by the department’s dive team around 10:23 a.m., during the search of an area of the lake “near the Pine Knot Marina,” according to the release.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tanner’s family, friends and all those who are affected by his loss,” read the statement Monday from the department issued via Nixle, an emergency alert system. “The family is requesting privacy as they navigate through this tragic incident.”

Department officials described their dayslong search as extensive.

Prentiss, who appears to have graduated from Saugus High based on records available online, was reported missing while on a trip with several friends to Big Bear Lake.

“After going out for the evening, Tanner did not return to his rental cabin,” read an earlier Nixle. “Tanner was last seen (Saturday), at approximately 12:30 a.m., on Village Drive, in Big Bear Lake.”

Investigators followed up information from people who last saw him, read the statement.

No foul play was indicated, and the Coroner’s Office has assumed the investigation.

The @SBSNOWCLUB posted a tribute to Prentiss on its social media page Monday evening:

“It is with heavy hearts that we sadly announce the passing of our dear friend Tanner Prentiss. Tanner was a brother to all of us, and the only thing bigger than his smile was his heart. Though he’s only been on staff for a year, he has been such a light in all of our lives and we are beyond blessed to call him family. He had so much love for his friends and was ecstatic to see what the future holds which makes it that much harder to see such a beautiful soul leave us at such a young age.”

His cause of death was not immediately available pending the investigation from medical examiners.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said the death is now being handled by its Coroner’s Office. Anyone with information to contact the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station at 909-866-0100.  source

Like many natural phenomena, everything needs to align for it to become a reality. First, the setting sun must be at the right angle which happens to be around the second week of February. Second, the snowpack needs to be deep enough to generate enough water flow over El Capitan. Third, the sky needs to be crystal clear. We’re talking not a single cloud or haze even near the horizon. And if everything aligns for that perfect moment, it lasts for only a few, fleeting minutes.

With such a short time window and many elements intersecting, it’s a tough sight to see. The popularity of this event has skyrocketed in recent years, from only a few keen observers to hundreds and possibly thousands of spectators each year. If you are traveling to attempt to see this attraction, be aware that there will most likely be weekend reservation requirements.   Requirements are usually announced about 4 months prior to the event, so make sure to check back here for more information.

How Did Yosemite’s Natural Firefall Get Global Fame

Horsetail Fall lights up.  Photo by Darvin Atkeson

While the natural Firefall event of the Horsetail Fall that happens in February has been around for as long as Yosemite has existed, no one really knew about it until Galen Rowell took the first-known color photograph in 1973 for National Geographic (Interesting aside – in or around 1952 Ansel Adams did capture what was known at that time as El Capitan Fall. But since it was black and white, the unique colorful and fiery event we know of today was not conveyed). Now with the advent of digital photography and social media, this helped propel the ephemeral event into stardom.

The Original Firefall At Glacier Point

For almost a century nightly bonfires created at  Glacier Point that were pushed over the cliffs toward spectators located in Curry Village below. The idea originated inadvertently in 1872 with James McCauley, the owner of the The Mountain House at Glacier Point.. Every night during the summer, he would build a campfire to entertain his guests. To extinguish the fire, he would kick the smoldering embers over the cliff. It didn’t take long for the visitors 3000 feet down below in Yosemite Valley who saw the embers tumbling down the cliff to request the Yosemite Valley Lodge to see the “Firefall.” And thus, the Yosemite Firefall was born.

Long exposure of Glacier Point Firefall from Ahwahnee Meadow

The “natural” Firefall, is much more natural and of course, rare, depending on a good stream of water flowing over Horsetail Fall, a clear sky and the right light hitting the cliffs at the right time to produce the desired effect.

Over 25 years, McCauley kept this tradition until he was evicted from Glacier Point. As the years passed, the Yosemite Valley Hotel owner, David Curry, kept hearing visitors fondly remember that activity. So, he brought it back for special occasions. This continued until 1913, when the park service banned it due to a possible leasing dispute with Mr. Curry. Reinstated in 1917, the display continued again with a break during WWII and was finally ended in 1968 by the director of the National Park Service, George B. Hartzog. His thought, and rightly so, was that it was an unnatural spectacle that was more fitting for Disneyland than a national park.

The Fiery Glow of Horsetail Fall

Who are the Trump rally shooting victims? Corey Comperatore – Hero Shot and Killed at Trump Rally Protecting his Family ! RIP Hero! Men should strive to have courage like you sir!

We here at Good Shepherd News Media believe Corey defines courage and what a good husband and father is. He represents a realy family leader and protector. He was religous, helpful, and couragous till the end!

Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

We belive you have done good and fullfilled your duties as a man of God and Family leader! Good job – We Salute you!

A GoFundMe launched to support Comperatore’s family had already surpassed more than $696,000 in donations as of Sunday.

Former fire chief who died at Trump rally used his body to shield family from gunfire

“My family was sitting in the front, near where the President was speaking,” Jackson said. “They heard shots ringing out — my nephew then realized he had blood on his neck and something had grazed and cut his neck. He was treated by the providers in the medical tent.”

The Secret Service said it killed the suspected shooter, who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue.

The former president was showing off a chart of border-crossing numbers when at least five shots were fired. Trump was seen holding his ear and got down on the ground. Agents quickly huddled in a shield around him. When he stood, his face bloodied, he pumped his fist to cheering supporters as he was whisked off stage by Secret Service agents.

Trump later extended his condolences to Comperatore’s family.

Randy Reamer, president of the Buffalo Township volunteer fire company, called Comperatore “a stand-up guy” and “a true brother of the fire service.” He said Comperatore served as chief of the company for about three years but was also a life member, meaning he had served for more than 20 years.

“Just a great all-around guy, always willing to help someone out,” Reamer said of Comperatore. “He definitely stood up for what he believed in, never backed down to anyone. … He was a really good guy.”

A crew was power-washing the front of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company on Sunday with plans to install memorial drapery to honor the slain former chief.

Assistant Chief Ricky Heasley of Sarver, who knew Comperatore for more than a decade, remembered him as very outgoing and full of life.

“He never had a bad word,” Heasley said.

And in the front yard of the Comperatores’ two-story home in Butler County, a small memorial had sprung up of a U.S. flag and small bunches of flowers.

For Morehouse, Comperatore’s death was an emotional blow — but it also has inspired political action. Morehouse says he plans on casting a ballot for the first time in his life come November and he plans on checking Trump’s name.

“As soon as I heard what happened and then learned that it was to Corey, I went upstairs as soon as I got home and I registered to vote,” Morehouse said. “This is the first time I’ve ever voted and I think it will be in his memory.”

A GoFundMe launched to support Comperatore’s family had already surpassed more than $696,000 in donations as of Sunday.

BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — The former fire chief who was killed at a Pennsylvania rally for Donald Trump spent his final moments diving down in front of his family, protecting them from the gunfire that rang out Saturday during an assassination attempt against the former president.

Corey Comperatore’s quick decision to use his body as a shield against the bullets flying toward his wife and daughter rang true to the close friends and neighbors who loved and respected the proud 50-year-old Trump supporter, noting that the Butler County resident was a “man of conviction.”

“He’s a literal hero. He shoved his family out of the way, and he got killed for them,” said Mike Morehouse, who lived next to Comperatore for the last eight years. “He’s a hero that I was happy to have as a neighbor.”

Comperatore died Saturday during an attempt to kill Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. At least two other people were injured: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania State Police. Both were listed in stable condition as of Sunday.

As support for Comperatore’s family began to pour in from across the country, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden also extended their “deepest condolences.” source

An attempt to assassinate former US president Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania has left one bystander dead and two seriously injured.

Trump suffered an upper ear injury but was otherwise unharmed, later telling reporters that if he had moved his head slightly, he would have been hit in the head.

Three other men who were attending the rally on 13 July were not so lucky.

Here is what we know about them.

The 50-year-old volunteer fire chief died while trying to protect his family during the attempted assassination – diving onto them to shield them from the bullets.

“Corey died a hero,” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said at a news conference following the shooting, adding that Comperatore went to church every Sunday and “loved his community”.

“Most especially, Corey loved his family,” said Mr Shapiro.

Mr Comperatore’s daughter Allyson later wrote on social media about how her father had thrown her and her mother to the ground and “shielded my body from the bullet that came at us”.

“He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us. And I want nothing more than to cry on him and tell him thank you.”

Allyson described her father as the “best dad a girl could ever ask for” and said he “could talk and make friends with anyone”.

“This feels like a terrible nightmare but we know it is our painful reality,” Mr Comperatore’s sister Dawn wrote on Facebook.

He was said to be an avid Trump supporter and to have been excited to attend the Pennsylvania rally where he was later killed.

According to Pennsylvania police, Mr Comperatore lived in Sarver, about 12 miles (19km) away from the rally site in Butler, outside the city of Pittsburgh.

“He was a man that just wanted to protect and serve and love. He was truly a man of love,” fellow firefighter Craig Cirrincione told the Associated Press.

In addition to his volunteer firefighting work, he was employed as a project and tooling engineer at a plastics manufacturing company, according to his social media profiles.

“He was a good person,” neighbour Matt Achilles told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “We might not have agreed on the same political views, but that didn’t stop him from being a good friend and neighbour.”

“He donated money to us when I was in the hospital and he would always come by at our yard sales. He always waved hello when I drove past his house,” Mr Achilles said.

More on the Topic and the Tragic Loss at this Trump Rally Event by a Domestic Terrorist below:

Attempted Assassination Donald Trump Shot

Corey Comperatore – The Hero killed while saving his family at trump rally

Who is Thomas Matthew Crooks (other than the coward who shot Trump)

Corey Comperatore – Hero Shot and Killed at Trump Rally Protecting his Family ! RIP

Two horses died when they were struck by a driver in Santa Clarita Valley on Monday night, authorities said.

The collision occurred just after 8:30 p.m. near the intersection of Iron Canyon and Sand Canyon roads east of Santa Clarita.

One of the victims, a mother, told KTLA she and a group of young girls were crossing onto Iron Canyon Road when they spotted a Nissan sedan traveling towards them at high speeds.

That’s when the mother led her horse to the front of the group as the oncoming car struck her and her daughter, launching them off their horses.

The mother’s horse died at the scene, while her daughter’s horse’s legs were broken. That horse was eventually put down later.

2 horses died after being struck by a sedan in the Santa Clarita Valley on Monday, June 17, 2024. (KNN)

The mother said the crash left her with a shattered knee and her bone was exposed at the time. She had surgery on Tuesday and will require another one scheduled for Wednesday. source

‘Please slow down,’ FAMILY HORSES KILLED in Santa Clarita Valley family injured and pleas after car smashes into horseback riders

slow down, this town is for the hardworking country type, behave or get handled, respect our town when you come through!

A Santa Clarita Valley family is speaking out after a speeding driver crashed into them and their band of horses, hospitalizing one woman, injuring a girl and killing two of the animals.

The crash at about 8:30 p.m. near the intersection of Iron Canyon and Sand Canyon roads occurred after Marcela De Vivo says she tried to slow down a speeding Nissan sedan as her 14-year-old daughter, her daughter’s friends and six horses attempted to cross Iron Canyon Road.

“The last two horses were older and slow, so they were still on the road,” she told KTLA’s Kimberly Cheng. “I noticed the car was accelerating, going faster and faster. I started screaming, ‘Hurry, get out of the road.’ … I stayed in the middle waving at the guy, like ‘slow down, slow down,’ but he never did slow down.”

2 horses killed in violent collision in Santa Clarita Valley

The vehicle crashed into De Vivo, her daughter Isabelle Andrew and the horses they were riding.

De Vivo’s knee was broken, and Isabelle was injured, though she did not require hospitalization. Additionally, De Vivo’s horse Norma Jean died immediately, while Isabelle’s horse, named Husband, was later euthanized due to broken front legs.

“It feels like I lost a family member,” Isabelle said.

The driver of the Nissan remained at the scene, and though De Vivo claims he was speeding, the investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.

The family said GPS systems navigate drivers into their area to avoid traffic, and these drivers need to be more aware of where they’re traveling.

“It’s a highly equestrian community, signs all over, horses every day,” said Owen Andrew, De Vivo’s husband. “Please slow down.”  source

Jacqueline Nyetipei Kiplimo She restored faith in humanity. heart emoticon #Respect

Jacqueline Nyetipei Kiplimo is a female marathon athlete from Kenya. She was born in 1984. In March 2010, she participated in the Zheng Khai International marathon (42.5 miles), in China. The competition attracted more than 1,500 athletes, including 200 foreigners from over 26 countries. During this event, the world was surprised by how Jacqueline helped a disabled athlete from china, up sacrificing his victory!

The Mature Runner

By David Summerfield

Jacqueline Nyetipei Kiplimo demonstrates what really matters in life and in sports

On March 2, 1903 the California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, became the official state flower of California (Ca. Government Code Section 421(opens in new tab)). The plant’s bright orange flowers are an unmatched symbol of the Golden State, perhaps viewed as a floral representation of the “fields of gold” sought during the gold rush. The California poppy is commonly seen blooming in the spring and summer along country roads and freeways throughout much of the state, making this plant a highly recognizable symbol of California, and April 6 of each year is officially designated as California Poppy Day.

It is often believed that there are laws prohibiting the cutting or damaging of the California poppy because it is the state flower. While there is no law protecting the California poppy specifically, California Penal Code Section 384a(opens in new tab) requires written landowner permission to remove and sell plant material from land that a person does not own, and removing or damaging plants from property that a person does not own without permission may constitute trespass and/or petty theft. However, these laws do not prevent the collection of California poppies on private land by the landowner. California poppies are a beautiful and easy-to-grow addition to your garden, and although you may choose to pick them from your property, they last much longer in the ground!

California’s superbloom phenomenon is so big and bright this year it can be seen from space. NASA’s Landsat 9 satellite, which was launched in 2021 to capture images of Earth’s land surface, sent back images of bright purple and green blooms in Carrizo Plain National Park.

A superbloom occurs when desert areas in Southern California receive more rain or cooler weather through the fall and winter, allowing more flowers to thrive. The term “superbloom,” however, is not a scientific one: It was created by the media to describe these colorful, robust blooms, said said Cameron Barrows, an associate research ecologist at UC Riverside’s Center for Conservation Biology.

Some years, the blooms aren’t that super. Excessive rain can also help bromes, a type of grass. grow fast, filling the area and covering the flowers, said Richard Minnich, a professor of earth sciences at UC Riverside.

And it’s not every year the area gets enough rain for the spectacle to happen. The 2023 NASA images, taken on April 6, are much more colorful than the April 2022 images, NASA says. Carrizo Plain National Park is located north of Santa Barbara.

The 2019 bloom near the town of New Cuyama was also visible from space, according to NASA.  Several areas in the state are experiencing superblooms this year, with Chino Hills State Park getting a carpet of orange poppies.

Visitors often flock to the superblooms when they are vibrant, and officials have called excessive tourism a “nightmare” in the past. “The 2019 bloom became a national … and international phenomenon,” Lake Elsinore Mayor Natasha Johnson said during a news conference earlier this month. “Numerous problems occurred on our trails and roads. There were Disneyland-size crowds wanting to see the poppies.”\23

Some visitors trampled the flowers and a California highway patrol officer even died as a result of problems with visitors during the 2019 superbloom, according to the Regional Conservation Authority of Western Riverside County. Trails, parking and access to Walker Canyon were closed as a result.

The 2023 bloom was not expected to be as vibrant and vast as the one in 2019, but it was expected to be large, Johnson said. Visitors were urged to watch it from a safe distance – on a livestream of the area, as they will not be allowed in Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore. source

California’s wildflower ‘super bloom’ transforms landscapes into paintings

Southern California is enjoying a wildflower “super bloom” after years of extreme drought.

The state had been under a drought state of emergency since 2014, but Gov. Jerry Brown lifted the order for all but four counties, earlier this month.

The wet winter strained reservoirs to the max and replenished mountain snowpacks, which are now at 164 percent of the season average.

Photographer Sarah Chah spotted a group of pronghorns, sometimes known as the American antelope, in the Carrizo Plain National Monument, about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

The Temblor Range, a famous spot for wildflower viewing that’s part of the Carrizo Plain, is now carpeted in blue, purple, orange and yellow flowers and vibrant green foliage.Another visitor to the region, Heather Lomax, tried out her new drone camera last weekend during a camping trip and saw yellow flowers for as far as the eye can see.The Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants, in Sun Valley, has a wildflower hotline that’s updated every Friday during the season. It’s narrated with gusto by Emmy-winning actor Joe Spano (of “Hill Street Blues fame), which makes it worth a listen, even if you’re not heading to the area.

April and May are prime times for seeing the wildflowers before hot weather hits.

The Bureau of Land Management, which oversees the monument is asking people to share their photos with the hashtag #trackthebloom. source

Where to See California’s Super Blooms

Wondering where to experience the most eye-catching wildflower blooms in California? Feast your eyes on these vibrant areas in California.

Ever thought to stop and smell the flowers? California’s super blooms are the ideal colorful displays to enjoy the wonders of nature. Observe mountain ranges transforming into surreal orange canvases—floral brushstrokes of yellow, green, and purple paint the landscapes and illuminate the panoramas. You’ll discover that the hot orange of the poppies in contrast to the browns of desert bushes yields a blissful sight to see. Pair that with the dramatic blue of the clear skies above and you got yourself a pretty paradise.

To view the wildflowers in full bloom, the best time to visit Murrietta is in late March (April and May are also okay). It’s during these months that the flowers are especially fresh and vibrant—you’ll see them dancing in the sun all spring long.

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK 

Wildflowers in Joshua Tree are one of the park’s most beautiful sights. During each spring—given the right conditions—this national park explodes in a burst of color as the super bloom season in California begins. Reds, yellows, purples, and blues splash across the majestic Joshua Tree desert landscape, adding a magical feel to the park. What most people don’t expect to find in the desert park is the orange California poppy.

Delicate and ephemeral, California poppy super blooms don’t last very long here. These stunning wildflowers only bloom for a few weeks before wilting away in the summer heat. Given the harsh nature of the desert, the blooms appear only when conditions are favorable for their survival. After rainy winters, wildflowers at the state park flourish for a few weeks in spring—just long enough to produce seeds for the next generation. Seeds then bloom into breathtaking hedgehog cactus, sand verbena, purple mat, ocotillo, and sand blazing star.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWER BLOOMS

CALERO COUNTY PARK

As Santa Clara County’s most diverse regional park and recreation area, Calero doesn’t disappoint when it comes to super blooms in Northern California. The county park is a local favorite thanks to its 18.9 miles of trails found in the backcountry section of the park. If you visit in late March, you’ll see an explosion of color—California gilia, narrowleaf flaxflower, and smooth cat’s ear brighten the trails and paths in Calero County Park. Stroll along the grassy hilltops and soak in the views of the colorful wildflowers while hiking the Javelina Loop Trail at the park.

BRIONES REGIONAL PARK

More than 2,000 species of wildflowers grow in the San Francisco Bay Area alone. Visit Briones Regional Park during springtime; vibrant hues of red, yellow, and bright purple will greet you along the way. The park boasts some of the best East Bay hiking trails featuring the most kaleidoscopic wildflowers in the region. When visiting in spring, you’ll find this area dotted with Himalayan blackberry, California saxifrage, brass buttons, yellow Jonny-tuck, red-stem filaree, baby blue-eyes, and arroyo lupine. If you’ve been meaning to find the best place to view wildflowers, this is it.

SUPER BLOOMS IN THE BAY AREA

SUNOL REGIONAL WILDERNESS 

The spectacular 6,580-acre Sunol Regional Wilderness never falls short when it comes to super blooms in the Bay Area. You can hike for hours in multiple spots and end up seeing tons of different varieties. The park has more than 30 trails that lead to flower fields of seaside heliotrope, California buckeye, Western Virgin’s bower, and cow parsnip. For yellow and red varieties, keep an eye out for native annuals like Lindley’s blazing star, common fiddleneck, rattlesnake weed, California lotus, and mountain garland.

But perhaps the most impressive thing you’ll see at the Sunol Regional Wilderness is the blue and purple California wildflowers. Concentrations of royal larkspurs, dove lupines, Persian speedwells, and blue fiesta flowers—these color combinations will take your breath away.

MOUNT DIABLO STATE PARK

Over 400 species of California wildflowers bloom at Mount Diablo State Park in February, resulting in the best photo ops you can find in the Bay Area. No matter which trail you’re hiking—Mitchell Canyon, Waterfalls of Mount Diablo Loop, or Mary Bowerman Interpretive Trail—you’ll find yourself engulfed in a sea of super blooms.

Marvel at Bermuda buttercups, California barberries, checker lilies, and yellow oxalis as you explore the depth of the state park. You’ll also come across bush anemones, butterfly tulips, chaparral peas, crimson clovers, and arroyo lupine. You don’t even have to download a California wildflower identification app for this state park— the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association has a comprehensive guide to help you better understand the flora.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SUPER BLOOMS

ANZA BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK

It goes without saying that most sensational displays of wildflowers in the Golden State are found in the desert. So, if you’re searching for a Borrego Springs super bloom, look no further than this desert state park.

A chart-topper among stargazing destinations, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is home to some weird desert art, undulating vistas, and mind-blowing super blooms. Every summer, the landscape becomes electrified with colors, as wildflowers, cacti, and lush bushes come into bloom.

Hike the Cactus Loop, Hellhole Canyon, and the Borrego Palm Canyon Trails to witness unmatched floral displays. Desert marigolds, Bigelow’s monkeyflowers, lupines, and desert dandelions—you’ll find Southern California’s super blooms in all their striking glory. You might even spot desert apricots and sand verbena. No matter which wildflower you stumble upon, one thing’s for sure, this state park is bound to leave you with a lasting impression.

WALKER CANYON, LAKE ELSINORE 

Drive an hour from L.A. to Lake Elsinore to see an unbelievably epic bloom at Walker Canyon. The orange poppy-covered mountains result in a spectacular scene that you can’t help but fall in love with. Just about everything—including freeway dividers and shoulders—is filled with patches of orange poppies, bright purple ice plant flowers, and yellow hillside daisies. When you want to see super blooms near San Diego, head to Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore and prepare to feast your eyes on that first glimpse of fiery orange.

SUPER BLOOMS NEAR LOS ANGELES 

ANTELOPE VALLEY CALIFORNIA POPPY RESERVE

Does a place like Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve even need an introduction? The stunning state-protected reserve is basically a shrine to California poppies, the official flower of the Golden State. Come here in late winter or early spring to see the California poppy’s super bloom, which carpets the area in kaleidoscopic hues.

While this naturally occurring California reserve is the most persistent poppy-bearing land in the state, it doesn’t necessarily mean that other wildflowers don’t grow here. Catch a glimpse of owl’s clover, lupine, cream cups, coreopsis, and colorful goldfield while taking a walk among the super blooms in Los Angeles. It’s easy to satisfy all of your interests at this state park.

POINT DUME NATURAL PRESERVE

While many people visit Point Dume for its white sand beaches, it’s the super blooms in Los Angeles that make us want to go there. Blankets of coreopsis, bush flowers, and California poppies carpet the headlands each spring. Yellow tickseeds line the trails at Point Dume, reminding you of the yellow brick road from The Wizard of Oz.

Spectacular vistas of the Pacific are always the bonus at Point Dume—coastal hikes are worth the trek, even if they’re uphill. Keep an eye out for sand verbenas, morning glory, and evening primrose.

CHINO HILLS STATE PARK 

The most impressive Southern California super blooms are found in Chino Hills State Park—that’s just a fact. Much like Antelope Valley, this area hits you with poppy fields that look like visions straight out of a dream. The poppy season typically lasts from February to September, so March is the perfect time to marvel at orange-gold beauties.

Besides California poppies, you’ll most likely spot violet owl clovers, silver lupines, and bush sunflowers. Not every state park can stir up emotions with its beauty, but Chino Hills manages to do that again and again. source

The United States has some of the most spectacular wildflower super blooms in the entire world. Spring wildflowers emerge across the coastal valleys of the west, mountainsides and even in the harsh desert environments of some of our National Parks. But, did you know a super bloom does not happen every year?

 

We’ll share with you all the details of how and why a super bloom takes place. As well, we’ll share amazing super bloom locations and when the time to see them!

This post contains affiliate links to help run this site at no extra cost to you so we can keep providing FREE Outdoor, Camping, RV and Travel information, advice and tips. Full disclosure here.

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What is a Super Bloom?

A super bloom, also spelled as one word “superbloom”, is a rare desert botanical phenomenon in which an unusually high proportion of wildflowers whose seeds have lain dormant in desert soil germinate and blossom at roughly the same time in the spring and even into the summer.

What dictates whether a Super Bloom will occur

For a wildflower super bloom to occur, weather and environmental conditions have to be just right. A good wildflower bloom depends on at least 3 elements.

First, there must be well-spaced rainfalls throughout the late Fall, Winter to very early Spring seasons. The foliage and flowers in the desert must receive ample water accumulation to penetrate deep into the soil to reach the dormant seeds.

Second, in addition to ample precipitation, there must be warm (not hot) temperatures leading up to the super bloom. The warmth from the sun help germinate the seeds to promote growth

However, that said, too much rain causing flash floods will wash away the seeds before they’re able to take root.

Third, there can’t be any dry winds or hot baking sun to hinder seed sprouts and plant growth.

But, on the opposite spectrum, if the Fall and Winter seasons experience drought, the seeds will perish from dehydration.

One other environmental concern that may hinder a super bloom is if there are too many invasive plants that rob the germinating seeds of their much needed moisture and soil nutrients.

How often does a Super Bloom happen?

As you’ve just read, environmental and weather conditions must be perfectly aligned for a super bloom to occur. That is the reason why they don’t happen for consecutive years.

In California, a wildflower superbloom will only occur once every 10 years. 2019 was the last super bloom in the Golden State.

And, in Death Valley, you’re lucky to see a super bloom anywhere from 10 to even up 15 years.

How long does a superbloom last?

Typically, if the conditions are ideal and depending on elevation, the wildflower super bloom season in the desert southwest region starts around mid February and can last all the way until June to even mid July.

However, peak season of the super bloom usually happens in early spring. Typically in March and April.

Why super blooms are necessary

Super blooms are vital to the balance of nature. With the mounds of flowers come lots of bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators that are needed to continue the life cycles of plants and trees.

Where do Super Blooms occur?

Super blooms predominantly take place in the grasslands and deserts of Southern California into Arizona. Larger concentration of blooming flower fields have actually been seen from space! These massive flowering events last up to 2 months.

So, now that we’ve learned how superblooms occur, let’s check out the best places to see the super bloom in the U.S.!

California’s Rare “Super Bloom” Is Moving North Into the Central Valley

Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management

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Best Places to See the Super Bloom in the U.S. & When to Visit

Anza Borrego Desert State Park – California

One of the best best places to see the super bloom is Anza Borrego Desert State Park located in southeast California. Having experienced this particular super bloom location in 2019, I have to say, “it’s nothing short of show-stopping!”.

Simply put, the vast beauty of the many different varieties of wildflowers and vivid colors makes us wonder how it happens in the desert and even mountain desert regions.

Flowers are found across most of the Borrego area, all but high mountains, rocky hillsides, badlands and some sandy desert regions. Favored locations include:

• • Borrego Palm Canyon – sheltered canyon with palm trees and many other plants.
  • Culp Valley – higher elevation area near the eastern park boundary along S22.
  • Henderson Canyon Road – highway northeast of Borrego Springs, passing good wildflower terrain close to Coyote Creek, at the foot of Coyote Mountain.
  • Plum Canyon – side canyon of San Felipe Creek Valley, south of CA 78.

Amongst the hundreds of blooming wildflowers in Anza Borrego, you’ll see Bluebells, Brittlebush, California Poppy, Desert Lily, Desert Sunflowers, Evening Primrose, Desert Lupine, Popcorn Flowers, Verbena, Wild Mustard.

And the best part is camping at the Anza Borrego Desert State Park’s Borrego Palm Canyon Campground. As well, Anza Borrego has excellent boondocking spots that we found through RV Life’s Trip Wizard trip planner. Both put you front and center of the super bloom!

Lake Elsinore – California

California is known for its’ amazing wild poppy superbloom. In fact, in 1903, the California Poppy became the Golden State’s official state flower.

In the Spring season, the mountains and hillsides steal the spotlight with their thick and lush hues of golds and oranges. And for decades, it’s become one of the best places to see the super bloom!

In fact, during the 2019 super bloom (and even 2020), the poppy fields at Lake Elsinore’s Walker Canyon Trail were so abundant that they were actually visible from space!

The hillsides east of I-15 in Lake Elsinore exploded with color in late February as a super bloom covered more than 1,600 acres of hillsides in and near the city (and we got to see it!).

The California poppy blooming extravaganza doesn’t happen unless there is ample rainfall preceding the blossom season.

Only then, the golden hues take foothold between starting anywhere from late February all the way into early May; peaking for 3 weeks from about late March to into April.

Since Walkers Canyon and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park border each other, this makes a great super bloom destination to get all the blossoming flowers you wish to see! source

CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWERS 2023 – WHERE TO SEE THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SUPERBLOOM

There’s just something about Mother Nature…and her magnificent California wildflowers. American naturalist John Burroughs once said, “I go to nature to be soothed, and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” How very true.

WHEN IS CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWER SEASON?

Spring is an absolutely beautiful time of the year in Southern California. A time when the air is filled with intoxicating fragrances from a host of newly blooming wildflowers in the desert and coastal areas from mid-February through May, peaking in mid-March.

However, this also depends a lot on the rainfall and temperatures of each season and it is hard to pinpoint an exact time. I highly recommend watching the local news channels and checking for current updates on the local California Wildflower bloom, and then acting quickly once the buds are starting to bloom. With all the rain we had in the last weeks, 2023 looks promising for higher than average bloom, maybe even a superbloom? We’ll have to keep watching how the rain continues in Southern California this spring. In any case, it is still worth driving out there and soaking it all in and enjoying nature.

CALIFORNIA SUPER BLOOM

Each year, we botanical lovers hope and wish for a super bloom – when the landscape is covered with a rainbow explosion of colorful flowers. Super blooms happen when a delicate balance of sunshine, temperature, wind, and rainfall has occurred during the fall and winter months, resulting in an unusual number of wildflowers all blooming at the same time.

These super blooms typically occur once every 10 to 15 years, but 2017 and 2019 proved that this phenomenon can happen at any time.Whether we’ll witness another super bloom this spring remains to be seen, though a bit more rain would be helpful. But the only way for San Diegans and other So Cal residents to know is by planning a visit to these destinations – the absolute best places to see the California wildflowers in all their glory.

MOST COMMON CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWERS

• California Poppies
• Desert Lily
• Fleabane Daisy
• Dune Evening Primrose
• Desert Dandelions
• Lupin
• Matilija Poppies
• Bush Sunflower

• Joshua Tree
• Cactus
• Wild Morning Glory
• Mariposa Lily
• Monkey Flower
• Indian Paintbrush
• Wild Sage
• Western Goldenrod

Located in Borrego Springs in Southern California’s Colorado Desert, Anza-Borrego is the largest of California’s state parks. And it’s also one of the early blooming first-responders of our desert regions with over a hundred varieties of wildflowers and blooming cacti.

This magnificent outdoor playground just two hours east of San Diego sports hiking trails, campgrounds, waterfalls, Desert Bighorn sheep, and of course, wildflower preserves. Though the bloom officially begins halfway through February, mid-March is typically the best time to see the spectacle of color carpeting the desert floor.

Best places to see a variety of desert blooms, including the bright pink-purplish sand verbena are along Henderson Canyon Road, surrounding the Visitor Center, and Borrego Palm Canyon. It’s simply magnificent.

ANTELOPE VALLEY CALIFORNIA POPPY RESERVE

Address: 15101 Lancaster Rd, Lancaster, CA 93536
Website

The intense blooming season occurs in late winter to early spring, mid-February through mid-May. Taking to the trails is the ideal way to see the poppies, and how amazing that one of its trails is actually wheelchair-accessible.

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

Website

One of the west’s most picturesque national parks and one of our favorites, Joshua Tree encompasses 1,200 square miles within the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. Though the park is a popular year-round destination, spring’s colorful blossoms make a visit here a prized experience.

Wildflowers can begin blooming in the lower elevations in February, and in higher elevations in March and April as daytime temperatures rise. The park showcases the most variations of splendid color ranging from reds and yellows, to purples and blues– all splashed across a fascinating and picturesque landscape.

You’ll find stunning Mariposa and Desert Lilies, vibrant blue Canterbury Bells, Purple Mat, and bright Golden Poppies here, just to name a few. It’s more than worth the three-hour road trip from San Diego.

Where to Stay in Joshua Tree

WALKER CANYON, LAKE ELSINORE

Website

UPDATE: Walker Canyon was closed on February 7th, 2023 for visitors for the duration of the poppy bloom.

Just one-hour northeast of San Diego, Lake Elsinore is the largest freshwater lake in California. It also achieved notoriety as the epicenter of the 2019 super bloom in its magnificent ecological reserve, Walker Canyon.

A 7,000-acre wilderness area in the San Joaquin Hills surrounding Laguna Beach, this picturesque park features coastal canyons, stunning ridgeline views, and the only natural lakes in Orange County. Streams running only in the spring are also a huge draw.

We also love that this pristine nature park transports visitors back to how coastal California appeared many years ago. Forty miles of trails meandering these untouched canyons lead hikers and bikers through oak and sycamore woodlands and onto elevated ridges with panoramic vistas.

Native plants and flowers such as wild hyacinth, morning glories, popcorn flowers, and southern sun cups are joined each spring by Baby Blue Eyes, vibrantly violet Johnny Jump-ups and Mariposa Lilies. Wildflower season typically peaks here the end of April.

This promontory located just west of Los Angeles forms the northern end of the Santa Monica Bay, and is yet another magnificent California state park offering amazing picturesque hiking.  On a clear day you can see all the way to Santa Catalina Island. And how awesome that these vistas also offer the best viewings of whales and pods of playful dolphins.

FAQS ABOUT VIEWING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWERS:

What’s the best way to find out about the wildflowers?

Check each park’s website for updated information as local rainfall and weather conditions determine bloom.

When is the best time to visit the parks?

Viewing spring wildflowers is quite a popular Southern California activity. Arriving early or later in the day allows for enjoying without the crowds. You may also consider opting for a weekday vs a weekend trip as traffic can take away the pleasure of being outdoors with nature.

Is there a fee to enter the parks?

Some parks do charge an entrance fee, some do not. Again, information can be found on each park’s website.

How is COVID affecting visitation?

The parks are open however some may limit the number of vehicles entering the park, especially on the weekends. Social distancing guidelines are set forth by our state and national parks, both on the website and posted throughout the park. My advice is that everyone should bring a mask.

POINT DUME STATE BEACH

Address: Cliffside Dr &, Birdview Ave, Malibu, CA 90265
Website

Blankets of stunningly beautiful giant yellow and multi-hued Coreopsis, Bush Flowers, and California Poppies carpet the coastal headlands above Point Dume State Beach in Malibu each spring.

Sand Verbenas, Morning Glory, and Evening Primrose flourish along the trails. As an added bonus, visitors can view this glorious spectacle from the highlands and hills, all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

BEST TIPS FOR VISITING THE PARKS DURING CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWER SEASON?

Some of the best viewings of California wildflowers occur by following along recommended park pathways. You’ll want to wear comfortable shoes and layered clothing as temperatures and weather conditions can vary dramatically throughout the day. And make sure to bring plenty of water.

Stay on the trails. They are there for a reason, and as the weather starts to warm up, our reptilian friends tend to become more active.

Keep an eye out for local critters. We are visiting in their habitat after all. While it’s highly unlikely they would cause harm, it’s always good practice to stay attentive.

Take lots of photos of course, but please don’t trample the flowers while you’re going for that perfect Instagram shot. And be considerate of others who are wanting to take their photos as well.

Joshua Tree National Park has always had a glamorous cachet—it is, after all, just two hours away from Los Angeles, so it’s no surprise the park has a fascinating history filled with Hollywood-style drama.

1. Joshua Tree National Park includes two deserts.

Many people don’t realize Joshua Tree National Park is actually composed of two distinct deserts. The southern tip of the Mojave Desert makes up its western edge and the Colorado Desert covers its eastern and southern areas. These deserts have different elevations, and as a result, different ecosystems. The Colorado Desert’s gentle slopes receive more annual rainfall and are home to desert lavender, desert agave, and colorful ocotillo plants [PDF].

The Joshua trees for which the park is named are more prevalent in the higher elevations on the Mojave side. The densest growth of Joshua trees in the world is found on the 1500-foot Cima Dome. The western end of the park even ascends into the 4000-foot San Bernardino Mountains, home of quaking aspen, California juniper, and Douglas pine trees.

2. Despite its geological age, as a national park, Joshua Tree is a Millennial.

Joshua Tree is one of the youngest national parks in the country—it received that designation in October 1994. Joshua Tree now encompasses 800,000 acres, an area roughly the same size as Rhode Island [PDF].

It’s also one of the most popular national parks, as it’s a mere two-hour drive from Los Angeles. Its popularity has been a mixed blessing: Joshua Tree has seen an average of 3 million visitors per year in the past few years, though its infrastructure was only built for 1 million annually.

This leads to long waits at the entrance gates and crowded campgrounds. Much of the park isn’t reachable by road, causing overrun trails in the easier-to-access areas.

3. Joshua trees are not actually trees.

The Joshua tree is a member of the Yucca genus, a genus of usually stemless succulents. They can grow up to 70 feet tall, though they can take up to half a century to reach their full size. The Joshua trees live for around 150 years, and it takes decades before their distinctive branches even begin to form.

Because they store moisture in their roots, Joshua trees are referred to as the “great canteen of the desert.” Squirrels and jackrabbits find water by chewing on the trees during extreme drought, which in turn allows hawks and coyotes to find food.

The shrub is only native to northwest Mexico and the American Southwest. Though there are still nearly a million currently growing throughout the Mojave Desert, like many other species, climate change has limited their range. By the end of the century, environmentalists predict 80 percent of Joshua trees will be wiped out.

4. Joshua trees were given their distinctive name by Mormon settlers.

The Cahuilla people call Joshua trees humwichawa. Traditionally, they used the hardy plant’s leaves and seeds for baskets, sandals, and food, and even carved out its branches for use as containers.

When Mormon settlers first arrived in the area in the 19th century, legend has it that the distinctive trees reminded them of the Old Testament story of Joshua, the leader of the Israelites who held his arms up to heaven in a prayer to God to lead them across Canaan, hence the plant’s current name.

5. Joshua Tree National Park has a long human history.

Mormons may have given the national park its current moniker, but people are believed to have lived in the area for thousands of years. The rocky landscape provided shelter, as well as springs and vegetation for food. The park still contains artifacts from the Mojave, Serrano, Chemeheuvi, and Cahuilla tribes—including petroglyphs carved into many of the rock formations. By the 1800s, cattlemen, miners, and homesteaders had begun to appear on the land.

6. It snows in Joshua Tree National Park.

The park is known for its heat: The average high in the summer months is a roasting 100° F. But like many deserts, it can become quite cold as well, and snow in the higher elevations is not unheard of. Temperatures have dropped below freezing in the winter—once reaching a record low of 10° F in 1990 —and the park gets a dusting of snow about every year. It’s actually too cold for most cacti to grow there.

In February 2021, the park saw a snowfall like it hadn’t seen in over a decade. The snow reached not only the usual higher elevations, but also the valley floor. The Joshua trees apparently love precipitation in any form, but the snow and ice typically disappear as quickly as they arrive.

7. The cover of U2’s famous album was not shot at Joshua Tree National Park …

The black and white panoramic photograph on the sleeve of U2’s blockbuster 1987 album The Joshua Tree wasn’t shot in the national park, though the image on the inside cover is in fact of one of the trees. The famous cover was actually shot 200 miles away in Darwin, California.

On a bus trip around the Mojave Desert during the first day of shooting, lead singer Bono learned of the biblical origin of the name Joshua tree and decided to make it the title of the band’s album. The next day, the cover photo was taken in under half an hour by the now-famous lone Joshua tree in Darwin.

In 2011, a Dutch music venue manager died in Joshua Tree National Park; some believed he was searching for the spot used in U2’s album cover, after he told colleagues he wanted to visit it.

8. … The Eagles, however, did shoot an album cover at Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park has a long history of inspiring artists, especially musicians. The Eagles’ self-titled 1972 debut album features a scenic sunset at the park. The photoshoot occurred during an overnight camping trip with the band and photographer Henry Diltz.

As Don Henley recalls in the documentary The History of the Eagles, Part One, “We had a bag of peyote buttons, a bunch of trail mix, some tequila, a bunch of water, and some blankets. And the seven of us set out for Joshua Tree.”

In the decades since, the park has continued to feature widely in music, voted by USA Today as one of the top musical attractions in the world in 2015. Joshua Tree National Park also serves as a backdrop in the music videos for Selena’s “Amor Prohibido,” Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control,” Ariana Grande’s “Into You,” and Walk the Moon’s “One Foot.”

9. Joshua Tree National Park is the site of music history’s most famous cremation.

One of the park’s more bizarre music connections surrounds the funeral of country-rock pioneer Gram Parsons. Parsons was briefly a member of the Byrds, introduced the Rolling Stones to country music, and discovered Emmylou Harris. He visited the park in September 1973 and died of an overdose in the nearby Joshua Tree Inn on September 19.

During the trip, his road manager, Phil Kaufman, claimed Parsons spoke of his desire to be cremated upon his death and have his ashes scattered in Joshua Tree. To fulfill the musician’s final wishes, Kaufman and his friend posed as mortuary workers to intercept Parsons’s body at the airport, stopped at a gas station for gasoline canisters, and drove to Joshua Tree National Park’s Cap Rock formation, where they doused the body in gasoline and set it on fire before being caught.

There was no law against stealing a corpse, so instead the two men were only charged with misdemeanor theft for stealing the coffin, and were forced to pay several small fines. The motel where Parsons died is still in operation and his room remains its most popular. Makeshift memorials pop up on Cap Rock, but Joshua Tree doesn’t officially recognize Parsons’s link to the park.

10. Some believe Joshua Tree National Park is a UFO hotspot.

Area 51 isn’t the only desert locale with an extraterrestrial reputation. Joshua Tree National Park has also been dubbed a UFO hotspot. Ufologist Dr. Steven Greer hosts “Contact in the Desert,” the world’s largest UFO conference, for three days every June in the park. The conference presents on alleged archaeological evidence of aliens and how to contact extraterrestrial life. UFO enthusiasts can even stay in a Futuro house within the park.

YOU CAN BUY YOUR OWN JOSHUA TREE SEEDS HERE and grow your own! we did!

source 1, source 2