Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park

Since the main aim of Rao Jodha Desert National Park is to restore the ecology and the geology of the region, visitors can expect to see a wide variety of plants, animals, rocks, rock formations and other geological features that are very unique to Jodhpur. Trained naturalists and guides are also available at the park for visitors to get an in-depth tour of the attraction. They would take the visitors through their visitor's centre, the gully, over the volcanic rocks through one of the trials and provide complete information and a closer view of the restored region.

The geology of the Thar Desert consists of several rocky portions denoting a basin of lava flows that covered this part of Rajasthan millions of years ago. Above the volcanic rocks, one can see huge deposits of Paler Sandstone. The desert also has gravelly sections where debris of these rocks are seen disintegrating into smaller fragments and finally transformed into the sand. Other rocks that can be found at the Rao Jodha Desert National Park are Rhyolite, Breccia and the Welded Tuff. This region is also quite famous for the large amounts of precious and semi-precious crystals found in the rock formations.

When it comes to the ecology, Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park is quite a surprise. There are over 250 species of plants and animals that thrive in the region. Several plant species are seen surviving in the dry, arid, salty, rocky and gravelly regions all through the Gully till the far end of the Park. This is the only place in the country where lithophytes can be spotted and studied in their natural environment. The Park also has a nursery where tourists can find plants for sale. Spotting animals might need some patience but the region is home to a variety of reptiles, butterflies and local and migratory birds.

Although the park is open all through the year, the best time for tourists to visit this attraction is between November and February which is the winter season in Jodhpur. In spite of being dry and arid, the region witnesses a drop in the mercury level which hovers between a maximum of 31ᵒC and a minimum of 9.5ᵒC. So, the days are mostly pleasant to explore Rao Jodha Desert Park. Summers and monsoons bring a spike in the heat with really low levels of rainfall. The summer temperature can easily touch 41ᵒC and the monsoon average remains around 34ᵒC. Thus, the climate is mostly hot, dry and unsuitable for exploring the attraction.    

Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park is located about 7 kilometres away from Jodhpur. Three routes lead to the park from the city, the NH 62 – Ratanada Road route, the NH 62 route and the Harish Joshi Marg – Khanda Falsa Road route. Rental cabs or self-driven vehicles are best to reach the attraction, but one can also take an auto rickshaw or a city bus ride. Jodhpur Bus Station is located about 6.5 kilometres away, the Jodhpur Railway Station, about 4 kilometres away while the airport is 9.5 kilometres away. One of these options can be chosen by outstation tourists to reach Jodhpur.  
Travellers reaching the city by state transport buses need to take this route from the Jodhpur Bus Stand - Residency Road - Chopasni road – Khanda Falsa Road – Fort Road. Those disembarking at the railway station would need to take the route via Khanda Falsa Road – Fort Road. And, those taking a flight to reach Jaipur would have to follow the route through Civil Airport Road – SH 61/ NH 62 – Ratanada Road – High Court Road – Stadium Road – Hathiram ka Oda Road – Gulab Sagar Road – Fort Road to reach the attraction.