The Morongo Basin Region is a large basin and valley located in the Mojave Desert and San Bernardino County in Southern California and is considered a part of the Inland Empire. The Morongo Basin is north of the Coachella Valley and east of the San Bernardino Mountains. Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, and Morongo Valley are all located within the Morongo Basin. The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms is also located in the basin. Mount San Gorgonio, which is the highest point in Southern California is located to the west.

 

Copper Mountain College

Copper Mountain College (CMC), an accredited college established in 1996, and located six miles east of Joshua Tree, is the only community college that serves the residents of the Morongo Basin. CMC was originally part of college of the Desert. Today, the colleges are separate but are affiliated. CMC offers the Associate of Arts degree, the Associate of Science degree, and 22 different Certificates of Achievement. College credits are transferable to the University of California and all of the California State Universities.

 

Yucca Valley

Yucca Valley, incorporated in 1991 , is a small town in the Morongo Basin within the Mojave Desert. It is approximately 3,300 feet above sea level. It is just north of the Joshua Tree National Park, west of the small community of Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, and northeast of Morongo Valley. Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs, which are in the nearby Coachella Valley, are located to the south. Most of the residents of Yucca Valley are either retired or work at the nearby Marina Corps Air Ground Combat Center.

Desert Chest Park, established in 1951 in Yucca Valley, is a 3.5 acre sculpture park and garden that includes beautiful large white sculptures of Jesus, the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, Mary mother of Jesus, and several angels. The park is visited by thousands of people each year.

 

Yucca Valley Airport

Yucca Valley Airport is a public use airport located approximately three miles east of the central business district of Yucca Valley which is located in the Morongo Basin and San Bernardino County. The small airport serves Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, and Morongo Valley. The airport covers 35 acres and has one paved runway. Aircraft operations average 15,000 annually. There are approximately 34 to 40 aircraft based there.

 

Joshua Tree (Town)

Joshua Tree is an unincorporated community in San Bernardino County located in the High Desert. The town is home to Joshua Tree National Park which lies directly to the south. Twentynine Palms is to the east and Yucca Valley is to the west. The Coachella Valley is to the south.

 

Ryan Mountain

Ryan Mountain is a 5,456-foot-high Mountain in Joshua Tree National Park. There is a steep trail to its peak where spectacular views of Lost Horse Valley, Pinto Basin, Queen Valley, and Pleasant Valley are available.

 

Twentynine Palms

Twentynine Palms, also known as 29 Palms, is a small city in the Morongo Basin that was incorporated in 1987. Twentynine Palms serves as the primary entry to Joshua Tree National Park which lies to the south. Established in 1936, Joshua Tree. National Park consists of 795,156 acres. More than three million people have visited the park.

 

Twentynine Palms Airport

The Twentynine Palms Airport, established in 1942 by the US Army Airforce, is now a public use airport located about six miles east of the central business district of Twentynine Palms which is in the Morongo Valley and San Bernardino County. The 480-acre airport has two paved runways and 14 to 20 based aircraft. Aircraft operations average 18,000 annually.

 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms

The Marine Corps Air Ground Center Twentynine Palms, also known as 20 Palms, is the largest United States Marine Corps base in the United States Located adjacent to the city of Twentynine Palms in the Mojave Desert reg ion of San Bernardino County, the base covers 596,288 acres and is the largest employer in the Twentynine Palms area.

 

Morongo Valley

Morongo Valley is an unincorporated town in the Mojave Desert that is bordered by Yucca Valley. Morongo Valley is the only entry to the 31,000 acre Big Morongo Canyon Preserve.

 

 

Pioneertown Mountain Preserve - Pioneertown

Pioneertown Mountain Preserve is a 2500 acre preserve located in the Mojave Desert region of San Bernardino County within the eastern San Bernardino Mountains. The nearest town is Pioneertown which is a small unincorporated community in the Morongo Basin. The town is a unique 1880s themed town developed as a shooting location for western films. The four mile drive from Pioneertown to Yucca Valley has been designated a California Scenic Drive and the town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As a tourist attraction, it offers regular re enacted western-style gun shows, live music, and a film museum. The preserve is known for its unique rock formations and a perennial stream making it ideal for western movies. The preserve offers many hiking trails, restrooms, and a picnic area.

 

 

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

The Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is a 31,000 acre wildlife preserve locate,d in the Little San Bernardino Mountains. The entry to the internationally recognized birding site is located within Morongo Valley. In addition to over 247 bird species, other wildlife includes bobcats, cougars, gray fox, coyotes, fox, deer, and raccoons. The eastern boundary of the preserve runs parallel to Joshua Tree National Park on the east.

 

Mission Creek Preserve

Mission Creek Preserve, established in 1997, is a 4,760 acre preserve located within the San Bernardino Mountains in Riverside County. The preserve which is located just west of Morongo Valley, within the Sand to Snow National Monument, contains Mission Creek which is a perennial stream that flows through a beautiful desert canyon. The preserve, which is managed by The Wildlands Conservancy, offers several picnic areas, hiking trails, campgrounds, and restrooms. Guided nature walks are available from time to time. Wildlife includes mountain lions, bears, bighorn sheep, and over 200 species of birds.

 

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park, established in 1936, consists of 795,156 acres. The park is located in both San Bernardino County and Riverside County in the Mojave Desert north of Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley. More than three million people have visited the park since its establishment.

 

Joshua Trees

Joshua Trees are not actually trees. They are large succulent plants that are native to the California Mojave Desert, which includes the Barstow Region , Antelope Valley, Joshua Tree National Park, California City, Newbury Springs, and the Morongo Basin. Joshua Trees are commonly referred to as yucca palms. Joshua Trees were named for Joshua of the Bible by 19th century Mormon settlers who thought the outstretched limbs guided them along their journey. Joshua trees have a single trunk and grow three to five feet tall height branching. They commonly reach height of 20 to 60 feet.

 

Ryan Mountain

Ryan Mountain is a 5,456-foot-high Mountain in Joshua Tree National Park. There is a steep trail to its peak where spectacular views of Lost Horse Valley, Pinto Basin, Queen Valley, and Pleasant Valley are available.

 

Little San Bernardino Mountains

The Little San Bernardino Mountains extend approximately 40 miles southeast from the San Bernardino Mountains through San Bernardino County and Riverside County to near the northeast edge of the Salton Sink and Salton Sea. Quail Mountain is the highest mountain in the mountain range rising to 5,813 feet. Other peaks in the range include Eureka Peak and Monument Mountain. Parts of the range are located in Joshua Tree National Monument and Big Morongo Canyon Preserve.

 

Lost Horse Valley - Lost Horse Mine

Lost Horse Valley is known by many as the centerpiece of the Joshua Tree National Park because of the large quantity and high quality of its Joshua Trees and unique geological formations. Lost Horse Valley is also the location of the Lost Horse Mine which is a historic gold and silver mine that operated between 1894 and 1931. It was highly productive and is well preserved.

 

Forty-nine Palms Oasis

Forty-nine Palms Oasis is one of several oases within Joshua Tree National Park. The refuge, which is in the northern portion of the park, provides a source of water for plants and wildlife including the herds of bighorn sheep that are native to the area. Joshua Tree National Park, consisting of 795,156 acres, is located in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

 

Keys Desert Queen Ranch
Desert Queen Mine

The Keys Ranch was an early settlement developed in what is now Joshua Tree National Park in 1910. The ranch is an extensive complex of small wood framed buildings. The name of the ranch, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was named after the nearby Desert Queen Mine. The mine was developed starting in 1894 and is located within Joshua Tree National Park. Like the ranch, the mine is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hiking trails lead to the abandoned mine. The mine was in operation for 75 years before it was abandoned.

 

High-Desert Nature Museum

The High-Desert Nature Museum was founded in 1964 as a non-profit organization in Yucca Valley which is located within the Morongo Valley in San Bernardino County. The area is referred to as the High Desert. There are more than 4,000 exhibits in the museum including Native American artifacts, native gems and minerals, ranching and mining implements, an excellent kids corner, and much more. New exhibits are constantly being added.