Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour
Explore Joshua Tree in Climate-Controlled Comfort
Experience Joshua Tree National Park with an expert local guide while you relax in a comfortable, enclosed Adventure Van.
Our Yucca Valley departure offers the shortest and the best-value option, with approximately 3 hours inside the park. We also offer convenient morning pickups from Palm Springs and Palm Desert, with shuttle transportation included.
The Scenic Tour follows many of the same park roads and viewpoints as our open-air Hummer adventure, but with the comfort of air conditioning in warm weather and heat when desert temperatures turn chilly.
Along the way, your guide brings Joshua Tree to life through its geology, ecology and human history. We visit some of the park’s most iconic landscapes, including vast Joshua tree forests, massive granite formations and panoramic overlooks.
Plan on approximately one hour outside the vehicle for photographs, fresh air and easy optional walks. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
From the park’s higher viewpoints, you can look across the Coachella Valley and, on especially clear days, see far beyond the desert basin toward the mountains of Southern California and northern Mexico.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Climate-Controlled Adventure Van
Travel comfortably through Joshua Tree National Park with air conditioning in warm weather and heat when desert temperatures turn chilly.
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Expert Local Guide
Learn about Joshua Tree's geology, ecology, history and desert environment from an experienced guide who brings the landscape to life.
Keys View
Visit one of Joshua Tree National Park's great panoramic overlooks. From more than 5,000 feet above sea level, look across the Coachella Valley and the San Andreas Fault. On exceptionally clear days, views extend toward the Salton Sea and mountains near the Mexican border.
Your guide will point out the trace of the San Andreas Fault far below, giving you a remarkable view of both Joshua Tree National Park and one of California's most famous geological features.
Joshua Tree Forests & Giant Granite Formations
Travel through beautiful Joshua tree forests and landscapes filled with enormous monzogranite boulders. Enjoy opportunities for photographs, fresh air and easy optional walks along the way.
Coachella Valley Wind Farms
On Palm Springs and Palm Desert departures, your guide may also discuss the famous Coachella Valley wind-energy corridor and explain why this naturally windy location is so well suited for renewable energy.
General Joshua Tree National Park entrance is included.
A separate $15 wilderness/pedestrian pass is required for guests age 16+ who participate in the walking portions of the tour. Guests with a valid Joshua Tree Annual Pass or America the Beautiful Pass may use their qualifying pass instead.
Exact stops and routing may vary with weather, park conditions, closures and the pace of the group.
Pickup Locations & Times
Morton’s The Steakhouse — Palm Desert
74880 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, CA
Pickup: 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM
Palm Springs Art Museum — Palm Springs
100 N Museum Drive, Palm Springs, CA
Pickup: 8:30 AM to 1:15 PM
Meet at the bottom of the museum steps.
California Welcome Center — Yucca Valley
56711 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley, CA
Morning departure: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Afternoon departure: 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
What to Bring
Layered clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes.
Required Backcountry / Pedestrian Pass
Your general Joshua Tree National Park entrance is included with the tour. However, the National Park Service requires guests age 16 and older who participate in our walking portions of the tour to have a separate $15 Pedestrian Pass.
Please purchase the pass within 14 days of your tour date using the official Recreation.gov link:
Joshua Tree Pedestrian Pass
https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74286
Tour operators are not permitted to purchase this pass on behalf of guests, so please have your pass ready when you arrive.
A valid America the Beautiful Pass or Joshua Tree Annual Pass may be used instead and can cover up to four adults.
The pedestrian pass is valid for 7 days, allowing you to return to Joshua Tree National Park on your own during that period.
Please bring either a digital or printed copy of your pass for verification.
Cancellation Policy
Reservations are 100% refundable with at least 48 hours’ notice.
Public tours require a minimum of 4 guests to operate. This minimum is usually met, but if your departure does not reach the required number, we will contact you with options to:
- move to another available tour,
- upgrade to a private tour, or
- receive a full refund.
Early reservations are recommended, especially during peak season.