The Morongo Basin is an endorheic basin and valley region located in eastern San Bernardino County, in Southern California. The Morongo basin is part of the Inland Empire region, and is not considered to be the easternmost portion of the Greater Los Angeles Area, the 2nd largest metropolitan region in the United States.

Geography

The drainage basin stretches approximately from the Little San Bernardino Mountains north of Interstate 10 in the south, to the Interstate 40 area in the north. Lying within the Mojave Desert, the Morongo Basin is east of the city of San Bernardino and San Bernardino Mountains, and north of the Coachella Valley and Colorado Desert. The Morongo Basin is located within the Mojave Desert and in the High Desert region of Southern California. The area's elevation can range from 1950 ft in Twentynine Palms, to 3000 ft in Yucca Valley. The higher sections of Joshua Tree National Park are within the basin. The terrain in the area is a desert landscape of hills and alluvial fans framed by mountain ranges.

Natural history

The Mojave yucca (Yucca schidigera) (namesake of Yucca Valley) and the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) (namesake of Joshua Tree city and park) are notable native plants in the region. The basin's habitats are home to Black-tailed jackrabbits, coyotes, and the Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus).

Cities and Communities

Over 15,000

Under 15,000

Climate

The climate is arid desert. Hot, dry summers; cool winters with cold mornings and occasional snow and rain showers. Snow falls in areas above 1500 ft in elevation.

Local attractions

Education

The Morongo Basin is home to the Morongo Unified School District, which serves all of the cities and communities in the area. Copper Mountain College is the only community college serving the Morongo Basin area, located in Joshua Tree. The nearest four year public university is California State University, San Bernardino north of the city of San Bernardino in University Heights, California.