05/31/2026
🏚️ On the last day of National Preservation Month, we’re taking a moment to recognize the historic places that help tell the story of Joshua Tree National Park.
Across the park, places like Ryan Ranch, Keys Ranch, and historic mining sites offer a glimpse into the people who lived, worked, ranched, mined, and made homes in this desert during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
These structures are part of the park’s cultural history, and they remind us that preservation is not only about protecting plants, wildlife, and landscapes. It is also about caring for the stories left behind.
When visiting historic sites, please help protect them. Stay outside closed structures, do not climb on ruins, leave objects where you find them, and give these fragile places the care they deserve.
Thank you for helping preserve Joshua Tree National Park for future generations. 🏜️
Photos by: NPS/Paul Martinez