TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (AP) — Park officials and community leaders say upgrades are in the works to help ease crowds following a spike in tourism to Joshua Tree National Park.
The Desert Sun reports Saturday that annual attendance has nearly doubled in the past five years, leading to hour-long waits to enter the Southern California park and crammed parking lots.
The Park Service has plans to demolish a fee booth and construct a new one with additional entry and exit lanes and automated fee pay stations.
There are also plans for new visitors' centers to accommodate larger crowds.
The park about 140 miles (225 kilometers) east of Los Angeles is known for crazy-limbed trees with clusters of green spikes.
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Information from: The Desert Sun, http://www.desertsun.com
