2021 Map of Cottonwood Basin

About this map

Joshua Tree National Park dominates the northern reaches of this Colorado Desert landscape, where the Cottonwood Mountains meet the eastern edge of the Little San Bernardino Mountains. The terrain transitions from the elevated Cottonwood Basin through complex ridge systems down into Shavers Valley. Central to the map's infrastructure is the Colorado River Aqueduct, a critical water lifeline that skirts the foothills of the Mecca Hills as it moves westward. The small settlement of Cactus City sits along the interstate corridor, serving as a rare outpost of human activity in an area otherwise defined by natural drainage systems like Pinkham Wash and the dramatic geological formations of Painted Canyon. Modern access is provided by Frontage Rd and Box Canyon Rd, which navigate the desert floor and provide entry points to the surrounding protected wilderness.