Joshua Tree Jerky: The Trail Snack With a Story on the Bag

Here's the TLDR: the best trail snack in Joshua Tree comes from a family that's been feeding hungry desert folks since the 1970s, and its label was drawn, according to the brand, by an artist who once painted for General Patton. It's Joshua Tree Jerky, and JT Trading Post has four flavors on the shelf right now: Mild, Hot, Mojave Agave, and Mango Habanero. Grab a bag on your way into the park, or order one online.

Updated Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, 3:30 PM PT

Wait, a war artist drew the jerky bag?

That's the story the brand tells, and it's a good one. Joshua Tree Jerky says its logo was drawn by Terrell Day, who it says made war art for General Patton during World War II, and that the label was his final work, the piece he considered his masterpiece. The brand's own take: "In a way, every package of Joshua Tree Jerky is a portable museum exhibit."

So yes, you can eat the snack and admire the art. Just maybe not in that order.

Who's behind it?

According to the brand, the recipes go back to Jerry and Willie Mae Mackley, who ran bars, restaurants, and stores around Joshua Tree starting in the 1970s. Think old desert roadhouse, a jukebox, and something salty on the counter. "We've brought back the treasured recipes," the brand says, calling it a "homemade family recipe" passed down through the generations. The family roots run back decades; the jerky brand itself is newer, and its online store opened in early 2024.

Their motto is the whole mood: "Making Hungry Folks Happy." They also say they make it locally in Joshua Tree, and that it's inspected and passed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Their sales pitch is pretty hard to argue with: "So good, you best buy extra!"

Which flavor is your trail personality?

• The steady hiker: Joshua Tree Beef Jerky | Mild. No drama, all chew. It's the crowd-pleaser for kids, grandparents, and anyone who wants to taste the beef, not the burn.
• The one who scrambles off-trail: Joshua Tree Beef Jerky | Hot. It brings a kick for people who think the desert isn't warm enough already.
• The sunset-chaser: Joshua Tree Beef Jerky | Mojave Agave. This is the sweet one. The brand says it's sweetened with cactus "as we are from the Mojave desert," which might be the most Joshua Tree sentence ever written about meat.
• The wild card: Joshua Tree Beef Jerky | Mango Habanero. The brand calls it "Morongo mango habanero!!", with two exclamation points, and promises "sweet and spicy." It's the newest bag on our shelf.

Can't decide? Get two and trade halfway up the trail.

Why does jerky belong in your pack?

Because once you're past the park entrance, there's nowhere to buy food. The National Park Service says Joshua Tree has no restaurants, grocery stores, or gas stations inside the park, so you bring everything yourself. On its hiking page, the park says to eat often and that "salty snacks are key for salt loss from sweating." Jerky is salty, packed with protein, weighs next to nothing, and won't melt on a hot dashboard the way your chocolate bar did.

One rule: pack the wrapper out. Desert wind will carry it to Nevada if you let it.

Where should you take a bag this week?

On Oct. 10–11, the Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours run their second weekend, with studios open across the basin. That's a long day of driving where a snack in the cup holder earns its keep. Out in Twentynine Palms, the Night Sky Festival hosts a star party at Sky's The Limit Observatory on Saturday, Oct. 10. Jerky under the Milky Way is a pretty great Saturday. For everything else going on, check our Around town calendar.

Where do I get it?

Swing by JT Trading Post at 61716 29 Palms Hwy in Joshua Tree. We're open Mon–Fri 12–5 PM and Sat–Sun 8 AM–5 PM, and the jerky's easy to grab on your way to the park. You can also order all four flavors at jttradingpost.com. Want to see the makers? Joshua Tree Jerky stopped by KESQ News Channel 3's Eye on the Desert on April 17, 2026.

FAQ

Is Joshua Tree Jerky made locally? The brand says it's "made locally in Joshua Tree, California."

What flavors does JT Trading Post carry? Mild, Hot, Mojave Agave, and Mango Habanero, all in 2-ounce bags.

Which flavor is sweet? Mojave Agave, which the brand says is sweetened with cactus. Mango Habanero is sweet and spicy.

Can I buy food inside Joshua Tree National Park? No. The park has no restaurants or stores, so the NPS asks visitors to bring their own food and water.

Can I order it online? Yes. All four flavors were in stock on jttradingpost.com on Oct. 10, 2026.

Sources

• Joshua Tree Jerky: About
• Joshua Tree Jerky: The artist who did the label
• Joshua Tree Jerky: Original JT Gold product page
• Joshua Tree Jerky: All products
• Joshua Tree National Park: Basic Information (NPS)
• Joshua Tree National Park: Hiking (NPS)
• KESQ: Joshua Tree Jerky Stops By Eye On The Desert, Apr. 17, 2026
• JT Trading Post product listings, checked Oct. 10, 2026

Hi-Desert Field Desk is JT Trading Post's events and guides desk in Joshua Tree. We check every date, price, and closure against official sources the day we publish.