Desert Institute

Exploring Nature through Education

The Desert Institute is an education program offering an in-depth exploration of Joshua Tree National Park’s natural wonders along with venues in the Mojave and Colorado deserts of Southern California. Learn from highly qualified instructors who are passionate about sharing their expertise, and committed to providing a personal and fun learning experience. The Desert Institute is sponsored by the Joshua Tree National Park Association, and operates with the full endorsement of the National Park Service. Join us this season for an educational adventure.

 

Upcoming (22)

Advanced Bird Banding primary image

Advanced Bird Banding

Saturday • 10:00 AM

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Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Saturday • 6:30 PM

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Desert Ecology Bike Tour primary image

Desert Ecology Bike Tour

Sunday • 8:00 AM

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Women's "Get-Away" Weekend primary image

Women's "Get-Away" Weekend

Fri, Apr 26 • 3:00 PM

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Birds of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Birds of Joshua Tree National Park

Sat, Apr 27 • 7:30 AM

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Fossils of the Marble Mountains primary image

Fossils of the Marble Mountains

Sat, Apr 27 • 9:00 AM

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Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families primary image

Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families

Sun, Apr 28 • 9:00 AM

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Birds of the Mojave primary image

Birds of the Mojave

Fri, May 3 • 4:00 PM

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Landscape Photography Hike primary image

Landscape Photography Hike

Sat, May 4 • 9:00 AM

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Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Sat, May 4 • 7:15 PM

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Cacti of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Cacti of Joshua Tree National Park

Sun, May 5 • 8:00 AM

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Hiking 101: Everything you need to know to start walking in the wilderness! primary image

Hiking 101: Everything you need to know to start walking in the wilderness!

Fri, May 10 • 2:00 PM

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Advanced Bird Banding primary image

Advanced Bird Banding

Saturday • 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Saturday • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Desert Ecology Bike Tour primary image

Desert Ecology Bike Tour

Sunday • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Women's "Get-Away" Weekend primary image

Women's "Get-Away" Weekend

Fri, Apr 26 • 3:00 PM

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Birds of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Birds of Joshua Tree National Park

Sat, Apr 27 • 7:30 AM

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Fossils of the Marble Mountains primary image

Fossils of the Marble Mountains

Sat, Apr 27 • 9:00 AM

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Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families primary image

Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families

Sun, Apr 28 • 9:00 AM

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Birds of the Mojave primary image

Birds of the Mojave

Fri, May 3 • 4:00 PM

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Landscape Photography Hike primary image

Landscape Photography Hike

Sat, May 4 • 9:00 AM

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Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Sat, May 4 • 7:15 PM

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Cacti of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Cacti of Joshua Tree National Park

Sun, May 5 • 8:00 AM

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Hiking 101: Everything you need to know to start walking in the wilderness! primary image

Hiking 101: Everything you need to know to start walking in the wilderness!

Fri, May 10 • 2:00 PM

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Past (687)

Landscapes of the Soul: Writers Workshop with Cindi Anderson primary image

Landscapes of the Soul: Writers Workshop with Cindi Anderson

Sun, Apr 14 • 12:00 PM

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Coming Outdoors - Mixer primary image

Coming Outdoors - Mixer

Sat, Apr 13 • 6:00 PM

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Coming Outdoors primary image

Coming Outdoors

Sat, Apr 13 • 4:00 PM

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Spring Flora primary image

Spring Flora

Sat, Apr 13 • 8:00 AM

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Desert Arts and Crafts (for Youth & Families) primary image

Desert Arts and Crafts (for Youth & Families)

Fri, Apr 12 • 6:00 PM

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Plein Air: Capturing Light & Shadows primary image

Plein Air: Capturing Light & Shadows

Tue, Apr 9 • 8:00 AM

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Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Sat, Apr 6 • 6:30 PM

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Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris primary image

Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris

Sat, Apr 6 • 6:00 PM

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Snakes of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Snakes of Joshua Tree National Park

Fri, Apr 5 • 3:00 PM

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Desert Insects: Who They Are and Why They Matter primary image

Desert Insects: Who They Are and Why They Matter

Sat, Mar 30 • 9:00 AM

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Wilderness Survival 101 (for Youth & Families) primary image

Wilderness Survival 101 (for Youth & Families)

Sun, Mar 24 • 10:00 AM

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Backpacking: Beyond the Boy Scouts Trail primary image

Backpacking: Beyond the Boy Scouts Trail

Fri, Mar 22 • 9:00 AM

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Landscapes of the Soul: Writers Workshop with Cindi Anderson primary image

Landscapes of the Soul: Writers Workshop with Cindi Anderson

Sun, Apr 14 • 12:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Coming Outdoors - Mixer primary image

Coming Outdoors - Mixer

Sat, Apr 13 • 6:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Coming Outdoors primary image

Coming Outdoors

Sat, Apr 13 • 4:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Spring Flora primary image

Spring Flora

Sat, Apr 13 • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Desert Arts and Crafts (for Youth & Families) primary image

Desert Arts and Crafts (for Youth & Families)

Fri, Apr 12 • 6:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Plein Air: Capturing Light & Shadows primary image

Plein Air: Capturing Light & Shadows

Tue, Apr 9 • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Sat, Apr 6 • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris primary image

Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris

Sat, Apr 6 • 6:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Snakes of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Snakes of Joshua Tree National Park

Fri, Apr 5 • 3:00 PM

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Desert Insects: Who They Are and Why They Matter primary image

Desert Insects: Who They Are and Why They Matter

Sat, Mar 30 • 9:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Wilderness Survival 101 (for Youth & Families) primary image

Wilderness Survival 101 (for Youth & Families)

Sun, Mar 24 • 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Backpacking: Beyond the Boy Scouts Trail primary image

Backpacking: Beyond the Boy Scouts Trail

Fri, Mar 22 • 9:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Exploring Nature through Education

The Desert Institute is an education program offering an in-depth exploration of Joshua Tree National Park’s natural wonders along with venues in the Mojave and Colorado deserts of Southern California. Learn from highly qualified instructors who are passionate about sharing their expertise, and committed to providing a personal and fun learning experience. The Desert Institute is sponsored by the Joshua Tree National Park Association, and operates with the full endorsement of the National Park Service. Join us this season for an educational adventure.

 

Events

Advanced Bird Banding primary image

Advanced Bird Banding

Saturday • 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Saturday • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Desert Ecology Bike Tour primary image

Desert Ecology Bike Tour

Sunday • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Women's "Get-Away" Weekend primary image

Women's "Get-Away" Weekend

Fri, Apr 26 • 3:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Birds of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Birds of Joshua Tree National Park

Sat, Apr 27 • 7:30 AM

Check ticket price on event

Fossils of the Marble Mountains primary image

Fossils of the Marble Mountains

Sat, Apr 27 • 9:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families primary image

Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families

Sun, Apr 28 • 9:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Birds of the Mojave primary image

Birds of the Mojave

Fri, May 3 • 4:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Landscape Photography Hike primary image

Landscape Photography Hike

Sat, May 4 • 9:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Sat, May 4 • 7:15 PM

Check ticket price on event

Cacti of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Cacti of Joshua Tree National Park

Sun, May 5 • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Hiking 101: Everything you need to know to start walking in the wilderness! primary image

Hiking 101: Everything you need to know to start walking in the wilderness!

Fri, May 10 • 2:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Advanced Bird Banding primary image

Advanced Bird Banding

Saturday • 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Saturday • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Desert Ecology Bike Tour primary image

Desert Ecology Bike Tour

Sunday • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Women's "Get-Away" Weekend primary image

Women's "Get-Away" Weekend

Fri, Apr 26 • 3:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Birds of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Birds of Joshua Tree National Park

Sat, Apr 27 • 7:30 AM

Check ticket price on event

Fossils of the Marble Mountains primary image

Fossils of the Marble Mountains

Sat, Apr 27 • 9:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families primary image

Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families

Sun, Apr 28 • 9:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Birds of the Mojave primary image

Birds of the Mojave

Fri, May 3 • 4:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Landscape Photography Hike primary image

Landscape Photography Hike

Sat, May 4 • 9:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Sat, May 4 • 7:15 PM

Check ticket price on event

Cacti of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Cacti of Joshua Tree National Park

Sun, May 5 • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Hiking 101: Everything you need to know to start walking in the wilderness! primary image

Hiking 101: Everything you need to know to start walking in the wilderness!

Fri, May 10 • 2:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Landscapes of the Soul: Writers Workshop with Cindi Anderson primary image

Landscapes of the Soul: Writers Workshop with Cindi Anderson

Sun, Apr 14 • 12:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Coming Outdoors - Mixer primary image

Coming Outdoors - Mixer

Sat, Apr 13 • 6:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Coming Outdoors primary image

Coming Outdoors

Sat, Apr 13 • 4:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Spring Flora primary image

Spring Flora

Sat, Apr 13 • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Desert Arts and Crafts (for Youth & Families) primary image

Desert Arts and Crafts (for Youth & Families)

Fri, Apr 12 • 6:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Plein Air: Capturing Light & Shadows primary image

Plein Air: Capturing Light & Shadows

Tue, Apr 9 • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Sat, Apr 6 • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris primary image

Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris

Sat, Apr 6 • 6:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Snakes of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Snakes of Joshua Tree National Park

Fri, Apr 5 • 3:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Desert Insects: Who They Are and Why They Matter primary image

Desert Insects: Who They Are and Why They Matter

Sat, Mar 30 • 9:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Wilderness Survival 101 (for Youth & Families) primary image

Wilderness Survival 101 (for Youth & Families)

Sun, Mar 24 • 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Backpacking: Beyond the Boy Scouts Trail primary image

Backpacking: Beyond the Boy Scouts Trail

Fri, Mar 22 • 9:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Landscapes of the Soul: Writers Workshop with Cindi Anderson primary image

Landscapes of the Soul: Writers Workshop with Cindi Anderson

Sun, Apr 14 • 12:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Coming Outdoors - Mixer primary image

Coming Outdoors - Mixer

Sat, Apr 13 • 6:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Coming Outdoors primary image

Coming Outdoors

Sat, Apr 13 • 4:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Spring Flora primary image

Spring Flora

Sat, Apr 13 • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Desert Arts and Crafts (for Youth & Families) primary image

Desert Arts and Crafts (for Youth & Families)

Fri, Apr 12 • 6:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Plein Air: Capturing Light & Shadows primary image

Plein Air: Capturing Light & Shadows

Tue, Apr 9 • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Sat, Apr 6 • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris primary image

Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris

Sat, Apr 6 • 6:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Snakes of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Snakes of Joshua Tree National Park

Fri, Apr 5 • 3:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Desert Insects: Who They Are and Why They Matter primary image

Desert Insects: Who They Are and Why They Matter

Sat, Mar 30 • 9:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Wilderness Survival 101 (for Youth & Families) primary image

Wilderness Survival 101 (for Youth & Families)

Sun, Mar 24 • 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Backpacking: Beyond the Boy Scouts Trail primary image

Backpacking: Beyond the Boy Scouts Trail

Fri, Mar 22 • 9:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

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