Black Rock Nature Center
34.0734, -116.3906 · Park boundary: National Park Service
Located in the heart of the beautiful Black Rock Campground, the Nature Center offers a bookstore, art gallery, visitor resources, and a picnic area. Visitors can chat with a park ranger, shop at the bookstore, and observe exhibits in the art gallery. There is also a water-bottle filling station and a restroom with flush toilets. The Nature Center is open on weekends from 8:00-11:00am 12:00-4:00pm. Hours may vary depending on staff availability, especially in the summer.
- Mon–Fri
- Closed
- Sat–Sun
- 9:00AM - 4:00PM
The Nature Center is open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 8:00-11:00am and 12:00pm-4:00pm. It is closed from 11:00am - 12:00pm. Hours may vary depending on staff availability, especially in the summer. Summer Hours (June 1st): The Nature Center is open Saturdays and Sunday from 9am-4pm and closed Monday through Friday.
- Summer Limited Hours · Jun 1, 2026 – Aug 28, 2026 · Mon–Wed Closed, Thu–Sun 8:00AM - 4:00PM
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
The Black Rock Nature Center has a dated stamp specific to Black Rock Nature Center as well as a picture stamp of a Joshua tree.
From CA Hwy 62 (the Twentynine Palms Hwy), turn south onto Joshua Lane or Avalon Avenue. Continue for about 5 miles, following signs to Black Rock.
The Black Rock Nature Center is nestled in the heart of the Black Rock Campground, surrounded to the east, south, and west by the Little San Bernardino Mountains with dense forests of Joshua trees all around. The main campground road leads south from the entrance to a small parking area in front of a single-story rectangular building with a low peaked roof. The building is painted pale yellow and the roof has bright red shingles. There is a set of 6 stairs with a center handrail that lead up to the building’s entrance. The building may also be accessed without stairs by using a sidewalk on the west side. The entrance to the building is a single swinging door that opens out. The entrance door leads to a hallway. On the right side of the hallway is a counter where rangers greet visitors and provide information. On the left is a closed door that leads to a conference room and a large map mounted to the wall showing trails in the area. After the counter on the right is the entrance to a small gift shop that sells books and souvenirs. After the entrance to the gift shop on the right is a display window with information about the current exhibit. Past the display window and also on the right is a water fountain and bottle fill station. Across from the display window, on the left side of the entry way is a bench with 2 seats separated by a low table and another closed door that leads to the conference room. The entry way has an exit door opposite the entrance door which opens out to a sandy staff parking area. Passing straight through the gift shop is a small gallery. The walls and ceiling are made of wooden planks, art is displayed on white exhibit boards. There is a low bench with three seats in the center of the room. The gallery changes three times a year to feature work from the park’s artists in residence and local students. Continuing straight through the gallery along the right-hand wall is a low ramp with a handrail on the left side. Up the ramp and to the left is a hallway with two single occupancy bathrooms on the left side of the hallway.
Drive to Black Rock Nature Center
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