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 (19)

Women's "Get-Away" Weekend primary image

Women's "Get-Away" Weekend

Tomorrow • 3:00 PM

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Birds of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Birds of Joshua Tree National Park

Saturday • 7:30 AM

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Fossils of the Marble Mountains primary image

Fossils of the Marble Mountains

Saturday • 9:00 AM

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Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families primary image

Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families

Sunday • 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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Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris primary image

Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris

Sat, May 11 • 6:00 PM

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Ants: The Unsung Heroes of the Desert! primary image

Ants: The Unsung Heroes of the Desert!

Sun, May 12 • 8:00 AM

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Insects and Arthropods of the Eastern Mojave primary image

Insects and Arthropods of the Eastern Mojave

Fri, May 17 • 4:00 PM

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Women's "Get-Away" Weekend primary image

Women's "Get-Away" Weekend

Tomorrow • 3:00 PM

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Birds of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Birds of Joshua Tree National Park

Saturday • 7:30 AM

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Fossils of the Marble Mountains primary image

Fossils of the Marble Mountains

Saturday • 9:00 AM

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Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families primary image

Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families

Sunday • 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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Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris primary image

Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris

Sat, May 11 • 6:00 PM

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Ants: The Unsung Heroes of the Desert! primary image

Ants: The Unsung Heroes of the Desert!

Sun, May 12 • 8:00 AM

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Insects and Arthropods of the Eastern Mojave primary image

Insects and Arthropods of the Eastern Mojave

Fri, May 17 • 4:00 PM

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Past (690)

Desert Ecology Bike Tour primary image

Desert Ecology Bike Tour

Sun, Apr 21 • 8:00 AM

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Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Sat, Apr 20 • 6:30 PM

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Advanced Bird Banding primary image

Advanced Bird Banding

Sat, Apr 20 • 10:00 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

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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 Ecology Bike Tour primary image

Desert Ecology Bike Tour

Sun, Apr 21 • 8:00 AM

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Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Sat, Apr 20 • 6:30 PM

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Advanced Bird Banding primary image

Advanced Bird Banding

Sat, Apr 20 • 10:00 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

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

Women's "Get-Away" Weekend primary image

Women's "Get-Away" Weekend

Tomorrow • 3:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Birds of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Birds of Joshua Tree National Park

Saturday • 7:30 AM

Check ticket price on event

Fossils of the Marble Mountains primary image

Fossils of the Marble Mountains

Saturday • 9:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families primary image

Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families

Sunday • 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

Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris primary image

Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris

Sat, May 11 • 6:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Ants: The Unsung Heroes of the Desert! primary image

Ants: The Unsung Heroes of the Desert!

Sun, May 12 • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Insects and Arthropods of the Eastern Mojave primary image

Insects and Arthropods of the Eastern Mojave

Fri, May 17 • 4:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Women's "Get-Away" Weekend primary image

Women's "Get-Away" Weekend

Tomorrow • 3:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Birds of Joshua Tree National Park primary image

Birds of Joshua Tree National Park

Saturday • 7:30 AM

Check ticket price on event

Fossils of the Marble Mountains primary image

Fossils of the Marble Mountains

Saturday • 9:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families primary image

Desert Explorer 101 for Youth & Families

Sunday • 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

Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris primary image

Dark Sky Photography with Jon Norris

Sat, May 11 • 6:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Ants: The Unsung Heroes of the Desert! primary image

Ants: The Unsung Heroes of the Desert!

Sun, May 12 • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Insects and Arthropods of the Eastern Mojave primary image

Insects and Arthropods of the Eastern Mojave

Fri, May 17 • 4:00 PM

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Desert Ecology Bike Tour primary image

Desert Ecology Bike Tour

Sun, Apr 21 • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Sat, Apr 20 • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Advanced Bird Banding primary image

Advanced Bird Banding

Sat, Apr 20 • 10:00 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 Ecology Bike Tour primary image

Desert Ecology Bike Tour

Sun, Apr 21 • 8:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Barker Dam Sunset Hike primary image

Barker Dam Sunset Hike

Sat, Apr 20 • 6:30 PM

Check ticket price on event

Advanced Bird Banding primary image

Advanced Bird Banding

Sat, Apr 20 • 10:00 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

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