Hi-Desert Nature Museum

Hi-Desert Nature Museum Discover the natural science, cultural history, and artistic heritage of the Morongo Basin in Southern California at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum.

Located in the Yucca Valley Community Center Complex. The Hi-Desert Nature Museum was founded in 1964 by Evelyn Conklin; her father, Percy Conklin; Camilla Hudson, a long-time resident; and Jerry Moore, Community Services Director of the Parks and Recreation District. Evelyn Conklin served as Curator of the museum for 28 years. With the incorporation of the Town of Yucca Valley in 1991, the museum

became a division of the Community Services Department. The museum has always been a family-oriented facility whose original purpose was to display and educate residents and visitors about the desert environment. The original collections consisted primarily of gifts from the community-at-large. The museum started in an 800 square foot building in a local park. In 1973, it moved to its present location in the Yucca Valley Community Center Complex. In 1989, an expansion was added to house taxidermy specimens in diorama settings. For over 50 years the Hi-Desert Nature Museum has been dedicated to helping the citizens of the Morongo Basin and High Desert discover “with new eyes” the rich cultural heritage and natural history of this area. Generations of school children, students, and museum visitors have relied on the museum to inform, inspire, interpret, and entertain.

Spring brings the arrival of longer days, warmer weather, and of course, our insect friends! The Hi-Desert Nature Museu...
04/28/2026

Spring brings the arrival of longer days, warmer weather, and of course, our insect friends! The Hi-Desert Nature Museum is offering a hands-on natural insect repellent workshop to keep those bugs at bay!

Saturday, May 9, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (This is a two hour workshop and starts promptly at 10:00 a.m.)
$20 per person, Ages 10+

This hands-on workshop, led by Dr. Julie Reints, introduces participants to the basics of creating natural insect repellents using plant-based ingredients and essential oils. Participants will learn about common insects, why certain plants repel them, and how natural compounds can be used as safer alternatives to conventional chemical repellents.

Participants will leave the workshop with their own 3oz spray repellent and 3oz balm. Space is limited, and registration is required! Please visit www.hidesertnaturemuseum.org for more information or to register. Only a few spots remain!

The Hi-Desert Nature Museum invites the community to come together on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in cele...
04/16/2026

The Hi-Desert Nature Museum invites the community to come together on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in celebration of Earth Day at a free, family-friendly event dedicated to environmental stewardship, hands-on learning, creative expression and an appreciation for the natural beauty of the Morongo Basin and beyond.

This lively gathering held at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum and Yucca Valley Community Center courtyard will feature educational booths and activities from Burrtec Waste Management, Hi-Desert Water District, Joshua Tree National Park, The Living Desert, Mil-Tree, Morongo Basin Conservation Association, Morongo Basin Activists, Plant Parenthood, and the Soroptimists.

Attendees of all ages can enjoy the tunes of Daytime Moon while harnessing the power of the sun to create cyanotypes with Mojave Light Studios (floral materials donated by Cactus Flower Florist).

Join us for the fun, connect with the community, get inspired, and leave feeling empowered to take small steps toward making a healthier planet! Visit the Museum's website at www.hidesertnaturemuseum.org for more information.

Friday, April 17, 20264:00 – 6:00 p.m.Ages 14+$20 per participant, registration required!Head over to the Hi-Desert Natu...
04/03/2026

Friday, April 17, 2026
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Ages 14+
$20 per participant, registration required!

Head over to the Hi-Desert Nature Museum for this two-hour workshop introducing participants to intaglio printmaking using recycled Tetrapak cartons as printing plates. The workshop will cover basic intaglio techniques, including inking, wiping, and printing the plate using an etching press to produce rich, textured prints.

Participants will learn how to create textures and imagery by cutting, peeling, and incising the Tetrapak surface to create a printing plate.

Space is limited, and registration is required. Visit the Museum's website at www.hidesertnaturemuseum.org for more information or to register!

Imagination and community come together for a morning of storytelling and hands-on creativity at the Hi-Desert Nature Mu...
04/02/2026

Imagination and community come together for a morning of storytelling and hands-on creativity at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum. Join Mayor Abel as he reads a desert-themed children’s story, celebrating the unique beauty and wildlife of the Mojave Desert.

Following the reading, museum staff will lead a fun, interactive craft activity inspired by the story, giving children an opportunity to express their creativity and connect with the theme in a meaningful way.

Wednesday, April 8, 2026
10:00 a.m.
Ideal for children ages 12 and under & their caregivers
Free, registration not required.

Artists, their friends and family, and the public is welcome at this free artist reception celebrating the numerous arti...
03/27/2026

Artists, their friends and family, and the public is welcome at this free artist reception celebrating the numerous artists featured in the "Wondrous Waste: 2026 Recycled Art Exhibition."

Saturday, March 28, 2026
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Everyone is welcome!
Free, registration not required.

Visitors’ Choice Awards will be displayed and all visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments as they peruse the artwork and enjoy lively conversation with the artists.

Voting for Visitors’ Choice takes place during normal operating hours Saturday, March 21 – Friday March 27, 2026 in the Museum.

Check the website at www.hidesertnaturemuseum.org for more information!

Now on display until May 9, 2026!Wondrous Waste showcases innovative works created from recycled, reused, and/or repurpo...
03/21/2026

Now on display until May 9, 2026!

Wondrous Waste showcases innovative works created from recycled, reused, and/or repurposed materials. Open to artists of all ages, the exhibition features a wide range of mediums, including sculpture, painting, mixed media, fashion, and installation art. Each piece demonstrates how discarded objects can be transformed into thoughtful, visually striking works, highlighting both creativity and environmental responsibility.

Visit the museum's website at www.hidesertnaturemuseum.org for more information.

Artwork: Nature's Windmill Mandala by Julia Briest

Do you have a 10-13 year old looking for something fun to do this spring break? This spring, let your child’s curiosity...
03/21/2026

Do you have a 10-13 year old looking for something fun to do this spring break?

This spring, let your child’s curiosity blossom! The Hi-Desert Nature Museum is offering a three-day Jr. Naturalist Camp, which invites kids to become explorers of the natural world through hands-on adventures at the museum and beyond.

Spaces are limited and registration is required. For more information or to register, visit the museum's website at www.hidesertnaturemuseum.org.

Ages 10-13 years-old

April 1-3, 2026
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day
$50 per camper

The time has arrived! Artists and creators of all ages, if you live in the Morongo Basin and have an interest in recycl...
03/10/2026

The time has arrived! Artists and creators of all ages, if you live in the Morongo Basin and have an interest in recycling, repurposing and reimagining, now is the opportunity to share your artistic transformations at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum’s 20th edition of its annual recycled art spring exhibition, this year titled, “Wondrous Waste: 2026 Recycled Art Exhibition.”

This community-contributed art exhibition is designed to inspire people to rethink consumer culture and its impact on the environment by sharing innovative and creative uses of recycled and/or repurposed materials.

Art drop-offs from Morongo Basin residents will be at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum Wednesday, March 11th through Saturday, March 14th, from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis until gallery space is full.

Artwork by artists living outside the Morongo Basin will be accepted on Saturday, March 14, from 9:30 am to 5:30 p.m. if there is available gallery space.

The complete set of art submission rules and regulations can be found on the Museum’s website, www.hidesertnaturemuseum.org.
For additional inquiries about the “Wondrous Waste: 2026 Recycled Art Exhibition,” please contact Charlie Rossow, Museum Collections & Exhibits Coordinator, at 760-369-7212 or email [email protected].

This spring, let your child’s curiosity blossom! The Hi-Desert Nature Museum's three-day Jr. Naturalist Camps invite kid...
02/26/2026

This spring, let your child’s curiosity blossom! The Hi-Desert Nature Museum's three-day Jr. Naturalist Camps invite kids to become explorers of the natural world through hands-on adventures at the Museum and beyond.

Campers will:
Discover local plants and wildlife.
Practice fun naturalist skills like observing, sketching, and tracking.
Create nature-inspired crafts to take home.

With a mix of outdoor exploration, creative activities, and plenty of playful discoveries, this camp is the perfect way for kids to connect with nature and spark their sense of wonder.

Ages 7-9
March 25-27, 2026
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Ages 10-13
April 1-3, 2026
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Each three-day camp costs $50, and registration is required. Visit the Museum's website at ww.hidesertnaturemuseum.org for more information or to register. Space is limited!

Celebrate the spirit of the desert with the Hi-Desert Nature Museum's exclusive hard enamel pin set, featuring the four ...
02/18/2026

Celebrate the spirit of the desert with the Hi-Desert Nature Museum's exclusive hard enamel pin set, featuring the four iconic animals from the Hi-Desert Nature Museum’s logo:
Greater Roadrunner
Desert Tortoise
Great Horned Owl
Black-tailed Jackrabbit

Each pin is crafted in vibrant, high-quality hard enamel with polished metal detailing. They are durable, eye-catching, and perfect for jackets, backpacks, hats, or display boards! Whether you're a desert local, wildlife lover, or collector, this set lets you carry a piece of the Hi-Desert wherever you go.

FREE with any $20 donation.

Your donation directly supports education programs, exhibit refurbishment, and community events that celebrate our unique desert ecosystem.

Give $20.
Get the set.
Support the Museum.

From tiny pollinators to industrious builders, the Morongo Basin is alive with an incredible diversity of insects. This ...
02/12/2026

From tiny pollinators to industrious builders, the Morongo Basin is alive with an incredible diversity of insects. This lecture by Scott Heacox explores the fascinating world of local beetles, bees, butterflies, ants, and more, highlighting their unique adaptations, survival strategies, and essential roles in the desert ecosystem.

Discover how these often-overlooked creatures connect plants, animals, and people in the vibrant web of life that defines the Morongo Basin.

Saturday, February 21, 2026
2:00 p.m.
This lecture is free, and registration is not required.

Address

57090 Twentynine Palms Highway
Yucca Valley, CA
92284

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

(760) 369-7212

Website

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