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Explore the unique rock formations and desert ecology of Joshua Tree National Park on a convenient trip from the Palm Springs area. Choose from rugged off-road Hummer adventures, self-guided audio drives, or professional nighttime stargazing sessions.
Free Cancellation A self-guided driving tour of Joshua Tree featuring desert history, iconic landmarks, and the Hidden Valley trail.
Free Cancellation Explore Joshua Tree’s iconic boulders and the San Andreas Fault on a guided tour by H2 Hummer or touring van.
Free Cancellation Take a rugged 4x4 journey through Joshua Tree’s remote desert backcountry and iconic rock formations.
Free Cancellation Ride through Joshua Tree in an open-air Hummer to learn about the park’s unique ecology and history.
Free Cancellation Explore Joshua Tree’s iconic rock formations and Mojave Desert scenery in a guided, climate-controlled vehicle.
Free Cancellation A 4-hour guided drive through Joshua Tree’s ancient landscapes, featuring walks among billion-year-old rock formations.
Free Cancellation Explore the stars with expert-led sky tours and easy-to-use, pre-programmed telescopes for a clear view of the cosmos.
Free Cancellation Visit Grand Canyon West from Las Vegas with stops at Hoover Dam, the Joshua Tree Forest, and three hours to explore.
Free Cancellation A private 4-hour tour through Joshua Tree National Park featuring desert hikes, rock formations, and hotel pickup.
A half-day introduction to rock climbing in Joshua Tree National Park led by professional guides.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Joshua Tree — from practical tips to personal highlights.
A tour to Joshua Tree National Park from Palm Springs offers a dramatic transition from resort luxury to a surreal, rugged desert landscape. Expect to be captivated by massive monzogranite boulder formations, the iconic, twisted Joshua trees, and a rich pioneer history scattered across nearly 800,000 acres of protected wilderness.
Stroll through a 10-acre landscape densely packed with 'teddybear cholla' cacti. Visiting during the golden hour before sunset makes the spiky textures beautifully glow.
Explore a scenic one-mile loop enclosed by towering rock formations. This area is a favorite for rock climbers and was once a legendary hideout for cattle rustlers.
Drive up to an elevation of over 5,000 feet for breathtaking panoramic vistas. On a clear day, you can see across the Coachella Valley to the San Andreas Fault.
Easily accessible from the main park road, this famous boulder has been sculpted by water and wind erosion over millennia to resemble a giant human skull.
As a designated International Dark Sky Park, Joshua Tree offers some of the clearest night skies in Southern California, perfect for viewing the Milky Way.
Discover the rugged lives of early 20th-century desert pioneers by visiting historic sites like the Wall Street Mill, Barker Dam, or taking a guided tour of Keys Ranch.
Planning your Joshua Tree tour requires a bit of preparation, especially regarding entrance fees, extreme desert weather, and choosing the right type of excursion for your group.
Options range from self-guided GPS audio tours to small-group excursions in air-conditioned SUVs or open-air Hummers. Specialty tours like professional stargazing and beginner rock climbing are also highly popular.
Most guided tours do not include the newly required $15 per person pedestrian/backcountry fee. Tour operators cannot buy this for you; you must purchase it in advance via recreation.gov. Self-driving visitors need a $30 vehicle pass.
The best time to visit is from October to May, and tours sell out rapidly during these peak months. If you plan to camp, sites must be booked up to 6 months in advance.
Temperatures in the park can be 20 to 30 degrees cooler than in Palm Springs due to the higher elevation. Dress in layers, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, and bring warm clothing if you are staying past sunset.
While paved road tours are suitable for all fitness levels, off-road 4x4 and Hummer tours travel over bumpy, unpaved routes. These are not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or neck injuries.
There is absolutely no water available in the park's interior. Whether you are on a guided tour or driving yourself, it is critical to bring at least one gallon of water per person per day.
Cell phone reception is generally unavailable inside the park. If you purchase a self-guided audio tour, you must download the app and the tour data while on Wi-Fi before you enter the park.
Most standard sightseeing and Hummer tours offer a full refund if canceled at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Specialty activities like rock climbing may have strict no-refund policies.
| Self-Guided Audio Tour | Open-Air Hummer Tour | Private SUV Tour | Professional Stargazing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Flexible | 4-5 hours | 4 hours | 2 hours |
| Best for | Budget travelers with a rental car | Thrill-seekers and photography buffs | Families wanting a custom itinerary | Night owls and astronomy lovers |
| Includes | GPS audio app, lifetime access, offline map | Guide, bottled water, snacks | Private guide, hotel pickup, AC vehicle | Astronomer guide, telescopes, blankets, hot drinks |
| Price from | $17 per vehicle | $179 per person | $550 per group | $200 per person |
Joshua Tree National Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Visitors can drive in and out at any time, which is especially convenient for late-night stargazing or early sunrise photography.
Visitor center hours vary by location:
The park is highly accessible from Palm Springs, making it a perfect day trip destination. The West Entrance is located approximately 40 miles from Palm Springs International Airport (PSP).
To drive there, take Interstate 10 West to Highway 62 East, which leads directly to the town of Joshua Tree. The drive typically takes about one hour. If you are traveling from Los Angeles (LAX), the drive is about 150 miles and takes roughly 2.5 hours, though weekday traffic can significantly increase this time.
Note: Public transportation into the park is practically nonexistent. Renting a car or booking a guided tour with hotel pickup is highly recommended.
The absolute best time to visit Joshua Tree is during the spring and fall (October to May). During these months, average daytime highs range from a comfortable 70 to 85°F (21 to 29°C), making it ideal for hiking, rock climbing, and exploring.
Springtime is particularly popular due to the beautiful desert wildflower blooms. However, weekends and holidays during these peak months can be extremely crowded, so arriving early is crucial.
Warning: Summer (July and August) is the worst time to visit. Temperatures frequently exceed 100°F (38°C), posing severe risks of dehydration and heatstroke. Hiking during the day in summer is highly discouraged.
Joshua Tree National Park offers several options for visitors with limited mobility. Many of the park's iconic boulder formations and Joshua tree groves can be viewed directly from scenic drives and designated roadside pullouts.
Accessible trails include:
Elderly visitors or those with mobility issues should avoid rugged trails like Ryan Mountain or Hidden Valley, which feature uneven rock steps and steep inclines.
When planning your trip, the most important thing to know is that there is absolutely no running water in the park's interior. You must fill up your water containers at the visitor centers before passing through the entrance gates.
Other facility details:
To protect the fragile desert ecosystem and ensure visitor safety, Joshua Tree enforces strict rules:
Most guided tours do not include the newly required $15 per person pedestrian/backcountry fee. Tour operators cannot purchase this for you, so you must buy it in advance on recreation.gov. If you are doing a self-guided driving tour, you will need to purchase a $30 vehicle pass.
The park's West Entrance is located about 40 miles from Palm Springs. Driving there takes approximately one hour via Interstate 10 and Highway 62.
There is absolutely no running water available inside the park's interior, so you must bring your own (at least one gallon per person per day). Vault toilets are available at major trailheads and parking areas.
Yes, there are specific guided 4x4 and Hummer tours that take you on primitive, unpaved dirt roads to see remote rock formations. However, driving off established roads entirely is strictly illegal to protect the desert ecosystem.
You should dress in layers. Because the park is at a higher elevation than Palm Springs, it can be 20 to 30 degrees cooler. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes for walking on rocky trails and bring sun protection.
No, pets are not permitted on guided group tours. Furthermore, national park rules strictly prohibit pets on all hiking trails; they must remain within 100 feet of a road and be leashed at all times.
Cell phone reception is generally nonexistent throughout the vast majority of the park. If you are using a self-guided audio tour app, you must download the tour data while on Wi-Fi before entering the park.
No. The off-road and open-air Hummer tours travel over bumpy, unpaved routes. They are not recommended for pregnant travelers, or anyone with spinal, back, or neck injuries.
The best time to visit the Cholla Cactus Garden is at sunrise or about one hour before sunset. The golden hour light beautifully illuminates the spiky textures of the cacti, making them appear to glow.
No, flying drones is strictly prohibited everywhere inside Joshua Tree National Park to protect wildlife and preserve the peaceful environment. Violators can face fines and administrative action.
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This self-guided driving tour covers the highlights of Joshua Tree National Park, from its unique desert landscapes to its best hiking trails. You’ll learn about the area's human history, including the 19th-century gold rush and the outlaws who once hid out in these rocks. The price covers everyone in your vehicle, allowing you to explore at your own pace during any season. The package includes a narrated tour of the park's main roads plus a bonus walking guide for the Hidden Valley Nature Trail. To get started, download the Action Tour Guide app and use your unique password to save the tour to your device. Because the audio works offline via GPS, you won't need a cell signal once you reach the park's starting point. Your purchase provides lifetime access to the tour. There are no expiration dates or usage limits, so you can use the guide for a single afternoon or return to it on future trips.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
German, English, French, Dutch
This small-group tour takes you through Joshua Tree National Park in an air-conditioned H2 Hummer or touring van. You will visit the park's most recognizable rock formations and learn how the San Andreas Fault has shaped the landscape. Your guide will also share historical accounts of the Native Americans and early settlers who inhabited the region. The itinerary includes stops at famous photography spots and a high-elevation viewpoint with vistas extending toward the Mexican border. Tours depart daily from three locations: Palm Desert at 8:00 AM, Palm Springs at 8:30 AM, and Yucca Valley at 9:30 AM. Please note that the $15 per person park entrance fee is not included in the tour price.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Head out from the Palm Springs area for a rugged off-road adventure through the remote corners of Joshua Tree National Park. This tour takes you onto primitive 4x4 trails to see the park’s unique rock formations and desert flora up close. Because this is a group tour on a bumpy, unpaved route, it is best suited for those looking for a wilder experience. If you prefer a smoother ride or want to see the main paved highlights, we recommend our standard Driving/Van Tour instead. Safety is a priority on this trail. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests or those with back or neck injuries, and we do not recommend it for anyone prone to motion sickness. Participants must be at least 6 years old. We require a minimum of two people for the tour to run; if you are booking solo, please call ahead to confirm availability. Starting January 1, 2025, park entry fees are no longer included in the tour price. All guests will need to pay their own $15 entry fee via credit card at the park gate. Please ensure you are prepared with a form of payment to comply with this updated National Park Service policy.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This tour travels through Joshua Tree National Park in an open-air Hummer, led by a guide approved by the National Park Service. You will learn about the area's desert ecology and local history while viewing the park's distinct rock formations and vegetation. Because the park is at a higher elevation, temperatures are typically 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the valley floor, so dressing in layers is recommended. Due to cold temperatures at high elevations, this open-air tour does not run from December through February. During those months, a scenic tour in a heated van is available instead. You can choose to depart from the Palm Springs Art Museum at 8:30 am, which includes an air-conditioned shuttle ride to the park and a total duration of about five hours. Alternatively, you can meet the group at the Yucca Valley Welcome Center to begin the open-air portion directly at a lower rate.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Located just north of Palm Springs, this tour provides a comprehensive look at Joshua Tree National Park from the comfort of an enclosed, climate-controlled vehicle. Your guide will lead you along a paved route through the Mojave Desert, highlighting the park’s unique rock formations and desert flora. This is a practical way to see the park's highlights while avoiding the desert heat. This tour requires at least two participants to operate. If you are booking as an individual, please contact us by phone to check availability. Starting January 1, 2025, the $15 park entry fee is no longer included in the tour price. All guests must be prepared to pay this fee via credit card upon entering the park.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This four-hour tour covers the most significant sections of Joshua Tree National Park, focusing on its unique geological history and desert ecology. You will travel by vehicle to various landmarks throughout the park, moving between groves of Joshua Trees and the massive boulder piles that define the high desert. The itinerary includes frequent stops where you can get out to walk through the terrain and see the park's billion-year-old metamorphic rocks up close. By handling the driving and navigation, we ensure you spend your time focused on the scenery and photography rather than logistics.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Our guides lead you through the night sky, using high-powered laser pointers to identify seasonal triangles, constellations, and planets. Throughout the session, they share insights into Greek mythology, how ancient civilizations viewed the stars, and the scientific history of the cosmos. You will use telescopes that are pre-programmed with a specific object list for the evening. These are operated by a simple keypad, allowing you to move to the next target with a single button press. We regularly observe a variety of deep-space and solar system objects, including galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, planets, and the moon. If timing allows, we may also spot the International Space Station or Starlink satellite trains passing overhead.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This day trip departs from Las Vegas and heads toward the West Rim of the Grand Canyon. Along the way, the tour stops for photos at Hoover Dam and travels through the Mojave Desert’s Joshua Tree Forest. The destination is Grand Canyon West, a resort managed by the Hualapai Indian Tribe. Once at the canyon, you will have three hours to explore the various viewpoints at your own pace. You can also choose to add a pass for the Skywalk, a glass-bottom bridge that extends 4,000 feet above the canyon floor, providing a direct view down to the Colorado River.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This four-hour private tour covers the highlights of Joshua Tree National Park from the comfort of a dedicated SUV or van. We handle all the driving and navigation, providing door-to-door pickup and drop-off from your hotel or Airbnb in the local area or meeting you directly in Joshua Tree. Since this is a private booking for your group only, the itinerary and pace are flexible. Throughout the journey, we stop at several landmarks to see the park's signature granite boulders and dense groves of Joshua trees. You can choose to stay near the vehicle for sightseeing or take an optional one-mile hike through the desert. We offer various trail options ranging from easy walks to more challenging terrain, depending on your group’s preference and fitness level.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Spend a half-day with Mojave Guides learning the ropes of rock climbing in Joshua Tree National Park. This group session is designed for beginners, providing a hands-on introduction to the sport's basic techniques under the supervision of a professional guide. You will climb granite walls up to 100 feet high, offering a view of the desert landscape that most visitors never see. It is a social experience, allowing you to connect with other travelers while gaining confidence on the rock.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
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