The characters, flora and fauna of Joshua Tree National Park

Karine Swenson works off of photographs she takes out in Joshua Tree National Park to inspire her art. “The desert has been an unexpected gift,” she said.

Desert destinations such as Joshua Tree National Park are among the few places where we can sit, listen and hear something we didn’t expect: nothing.

Artist Karine Swenson hikes the Hidden Valley Nature Trail where she often comes to shoot pictures and get inspiration for the art she creates.

Joshua trees, from which the park takes its name. A paperbag bush in bloom, right, which typically happens between April and June, in Joshua Tree National Park.

Charlie Salvidge, 29, of London, listens to George Land, the community outreach ranger for Joshua Tree National Park, tell the story of where musician Gram Parsons’ body was burned back in 1973.

Joshua Tree National Park covers 790,636 acres and is a popular area for rock climbers, campers and nature lovers.

David Griffith, or D.Griff as he is known in the rock climbing world, surveys the stark landscape in Joshua Tree after making a free climb to the top of Cyclops Rock. “You come here and it’s all about feeling the wind, the sun, and it’s gratifying, man,” he said “It’s magical.”

Sabra Purdy, 37, makes her way up The Eye climbing route on Cyclops Rock in Joshua Tree National Park.

Sabra Purdy and her husband, Seth Zaharias, 39, run Cliffhanger Guides. They lead rock climbing tours in the park.

Ken Layne goes on one of his near daily walks with his dog just outside the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. Layne is the publisher of the Desert Oracle, a quarterly magazine with writings about the American desert and the culture around it.

The desert dandelion can be found in Joshua Tree National Park.

“The desert has suddenly become cool,” Ken Layne said. “The millennials think it’s authentic. They come on their way to and from Coachella, it’s become something you have to do.”

Joshua Tree National Park.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times )

People check out the Key’s View area, which affords a sweeping view of the Coachella Valley, the Salton Sea at 230 feet below sea level and also the 11,500-foot San Gorgonio Mountain.

Joshua Tree National Park landscape.

Panamint dudleya, also called live-forever, is a perennial succulent that can be found in Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua trees dot the skyline.

The sun looms behind a Joshua tree.

The land that constitutes Joshua Tree National Park was designated a U.S. national monument in 1936 and then became a national park in 1994.

More and more people are craving that Joshua Tree state of mind. Hikers, climbers and seekers of all sorts are converging on this park like never before.

An estimated 200-300 Desert Bighorn sheep call Joshua Tree National Park their home.

Quail eggs sit in a nest just outside the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park.

A Gambel’s quail perches on top of a rock formation.

A coyote makes its way through a campground in Joshua Tree National Park. Lucky park visitors often see them or hear them howling in the distance, but are encouraged not to feed them.

A horned lizard seeks cover amid the brush in Joshua Tree National Park.

A Western fence lizard suns itself on a rock along the Hidden Valley Trail in Joshua Tree National Park.