Twentynine Palms Museums and Historic Sites

Old Schoolhouse Museum, Oasis of Mara, Gold Mines & more . . .

Twentynine Palms has a rich and colorful history and the museums of the area have many exhibits depicting that history.

One local museum is the Old Schoolhouse Museum (1.0 mi), a schoolhouse that was originally built in 1927 and is operated by the Twentynine Palms Historical Society; another is the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center (1.8 mi), which offers exhibits and information about the history of Joshua Tree National Park and the people who haved lived there.

In nearby Yucca Valley, the Hi-Desert Nature Museum (21.8 mi) features a wide variety of displays that protray the unique natural, artistic and historical elements of the Mojave Desert.

Read our list of museums to to help you plan your visit to 29 Palms.

Twentynine Palms Museums listed by distance from Sunnyvale Garden Suites:

Old Schoolhouse Museum & Gift Shop  •  1.0 mi

6760 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA    (760)367-2366
The Twentynine Palms Historical Society was founded in 1982 and is housed in the the Old Schoolhouse Museum. In 1992 the society moved the city's original 1927 one-room schoolhouse to National Park Drive and remodeled the building to become the Old Schoolhouse Museum. The museum offers a variety of displays, special collections, historical gatherings and events, and educational activities including lectures, field trips, and a quarterly newsletter. Other features of the Old Schoolhouse Museum include historical exhibits, a research library, and a gift shop that offers souvenirs, books and cards.

Joshua Tree National Park Oasis Visitor Center & the Oasis of Mara  •  1.8 mi

74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA    (760)367-5525
The Joshua Tree National Park Oasis Visitor Center is located in Twentynine Palms at the junction of Utah Trail and National Park Drive. The Center provides information about Joshua Tree National Park activities, campgrounds, hiking trails and much more.

Historic Gold Park Mining District  •  10.0 mi

The Gold Park Mining District is located ten miles south of the Oasis of Mara in Twentynine Palms. It was operated by the Gold Park Consolidated Mining Company from 1905 until World War I. The district contains several old mines and is a popular area to tour by 4-wheel-drive vehicle.

JT & S Railroad Museum  •  14.9 mi

8901 Willow Ln, Joshua Tree, CA    phone
The JT & S Railroad Museum features fully operational 15" gauge, 7 1/2" gauge, and G-scale trackage amid the rocks, sagebrush, trees, and cactus.

Historic Dale Mining District  •  15.0 mi

The Dale Mining District is located 15 miles southeast of Twentynine Palms. There are several mines located in this area that were in use from 1881 to 1917, peaking in 1898 and declining with the onset of WWI. The Virginia Dale Mining District is a popular area for present day recreational mining. Visit the website for more info about the Dale Mining District.

Hi-Desert Nature Museum  •  21.8 mi

57090 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA    (760) 369-7212
The Hi-Desert Nature Museum features exhibits that protray the unique natural, artistic and historical elements of life in the Lower Mojave Desert. Displays include ancient American Native artifacts, a gem and mineral collection, an interactive "Kids Corner", a fossil collection, a mini-zoo featuring live desert animals, and a gift and book shop. There are collections from different eras represented here, from the early Native American cultures to the mining era and beyond.