Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour
Recommended by 93% of travellers
Palm Springs, USA
+16
- 3 to 5 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience Joshua Tree National Park on a small-group tour from Palm Springs Art Museum. Explore surreal desert landscapes, towering rock formations, and hidden backroads. Learn about the San Andreas Fault's forces shaping the land and hear stories of the indigenous Cahuilla people. This half-day tour includes general admission, removing the need for separate park entry arrangements.
- Explore Joshua Tree National Park with a guide
- Small group half-day tour suitable for all ages
- Includes general admission to the park
- Stop at several viewpoints for photos of the landscape
What's Included
- Expert national park guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Fuel surcharge
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- General Admission
- Gratuity
- Sunscreen
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
Type to search
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Joshua Tree National Park
3 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Cap Rock Trail
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Intersection Rock
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
Barker Dam Trail
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Keys View
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travellers can participate
- Dress in light clothes in the summer and layers in the winter. It is 20 to 30 degrees cooler in the high desert
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund. There is a 4 person minimum to run this tour.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 9 travellers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveller Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 595 reviews
Sort by: Most recent
Great tour of the park. Saw all the highlights. Guide was really good. Was nice to go in the van with air conditioning.
Tour was great, our guide Austin was very knowledgeable & friendly. Tour described entry fee was included but it was not, additional $15 ticket was need to be purchased.
Top notch time. Eddie knew all our names and included everyone in his day. Very knowledgeable and entertaining made the day fly by and he never once did we feel uneasy or rushed.
Tour guides Austin and Tom… were amazing, very informative and with humor. It was lovely experience !
Our your operator (Tom) was so nice and knowledgeable! It was enough time would definitely book with him again.
It was a perfect way to experience Joshua Tree in a short time and if you don't want much physical exertion. There were a number of stops along the way that gave you great views of the park. Our tour guide Eddie, was informative and helpful. The tour lasted the full 5 hours.
This tour was interesting. We never saw a place quite like Joshua Tree. Otherworldly is the best way to describe it. Eddie did a good job driving and also explaining things. Really enjoyed it and the transportation made it easy.
Great tour, we left from the California welcome center in Yucca Valley. The staff there was awesome so helpful with everything. Austin our guide was super knowledgeable about the park and had great wit while delivering it. Thanks for excellent experience.
Response from Host, Sept 2026
Thank you for the great review! We’re so glad our team at the Yucca Valley Welcome Center took good care of you and that you enjoyed exploring Joshua Tree with Austin. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. Thanks for choosing us for your Joshua Tree adventure!
We had a wonderful experience. Eddie was very knowledgeable and personable!
He did an awesome job! Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Sept 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re delighted you had such a great experience with Eddie. His knowledge and personality are a big part of what makes exploring Joshua Tree with us special. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words. Thank you for joining us!
The tour was pretty good. Our guide was knowledgeable of the parks history and surrounding areas. The scenic views were breathtaking. However, there was an additional charge of $15 per person the enter Joshua Tree National Park that Viator's price doesn't cover.
Response from Host, Sept 2026
Thank you for joining us and for your kind comments about your guide and the beautiful scenery in Joshua Tree. We're glad you enjoyed the tour. We also appreciate your feedback regarding the National Park entrance fee. This fee is collected separately for park admission, and we'll continue working to make that information as clear as possible before arrival. Thank you again for exploring Joshua Tree with us.
This tour was exactly as described. Austin was a great driver/tour guide. He gave facts and education about the park and had a good sense of humor. It was a great tour. Some walking, but spend most of time in the van. Bring hat and suntan lotion. I went during the summer and temperatures were above 100 degrees. Snack was a granola bar and a bottle of water. Park was about an hour drive from Palm Springs.
Response from Host, Sept 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're delighted you enjoyed exploring Joshua Tree with Austin and appreciated his knowledge and sense of humor. We hope the memories were worth braving that desert heat! Thank you for joining us.
Firstly a shout out to Viator for allowing the excursion to go ahead despite the fact that only two of us had booked. Thank you - it felt like a private tour!
Austin our tour guide/driver was awesome. He was easy to get on with, and his knowledge was excellent. He was able to share anecdotes, history, geology, and information about the flora and fauna we encountered with ease.
Joshua Tree National Park is a ‘must see’! It is a truly spectacular park, and Austin played excerpts from U2’s Joshua Tree album as we arrived in the Park, stirring 40 year old memories for me! We had a number of stops during the tour to stretch our legs and take photographs. The walks are on fairly even ground but you can stay in the minibus if you wish (it was 108 degrees and UV factor 13 when we were there…). Water and granola bars are also freely available on the bus.
The tour ended with a spectacular view over Coachella Valley, from the Salish Sea (even Mexico) on the left to Palm Springs laid out below. You could even see evidence of the San Andreas Fault from this high vantage point.
I highly recommend this tour - and especially Austin our guide, who was both fun to be with, and kind enough to run the trip with just us two tourists!
Response from Host, July 2026
Thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed review. It's wonderful to hear that Austin's knowledge of the geology, history, flora, and fauna made the experience so memorable. I especially enjoyed your description of arriving in Joshua Tree to the sounds of U2—it paints a vivid picture and reminds us how travel can awaken old memories. Reviews like yours help future travelers know what to expect, and it's great to hear that you enjoyed your tour as the owner permitted you to go as a private!
It was our first trip to Palm Springs and so glad that we went on this tour to Joshua Tree National Park! Austin, our tour guide was very friendly, knowledgeable about the Park and about Palm Springs in general. That day was a perfect day to do the tour and the weather was great! I highly recommend this tour and would do it again when back in Palm Springs!
Response from Host, July 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad Austin helped make your first visit to Palm Springs and Joshua Tree memorable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history and hiking opportunities in the area. Be sure to ask questions about what you see. It made it interesting for the group when the guide would elaborate on topics because a question was asked.
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed learning about the history, geology, and hiking opportunities within Joshua Tree National Park. Our guides love answering questions and tailoring each tour to the interests of the group, so we're especially pleased that those conversations helped make the day more engaging. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future.
We could not have asked for a better tour guide. Tom was extremely knowledgeable and exuded a true love for the national park. I am thankful that I joined this tour. I would not have gotten as much out of the day if I had experienced the park on my own. An added bonus was Tom’s great playlist! - Kristen
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you, Kristen, for the wonderful review. We're delighted to hear that Tom's knowledge, enthusiasm, and love for Joshua Tree National Park helped make your day so memorable. Our goal is to help guests experience the park in a deeper and more meaningful way, and we're glad you felt you gained so much from the tour. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to Tom—and we're happy to hear his playlist was a hit as well! Thank you for joining us, and we hope to see you again on another Outdoor Adventures experience.
Incredible guide. Very mild hikes, great for young kids, older individuals. Guide was knowledgeable and fantastic
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you for your review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it suitable for guests of all ages and abilities. We appreciate your kind comments about your guide's knowledge and enthusiasm. We hope to welcome you back to Joshua Tree again soon.
Awesome experience and very educational! The tour guide was very knowledgeable and filled in a lot of fun and interesting facts about the park and its history.
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed learning about Joshua Tree National Park and its fascinating history. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.
WONDERFUL experience! I HIGHLY recommend it. We took the 930am meeting at the Joshua Tree Welcome Center instead of the 830am meet up in Palms Springs. We left the welcome center promptly at 930 am and got into the first stop by 10am. The tour guide was very knowledgeable of the site and provided excellent commentary which we would otherwise have not known if we were doing the tour ourselves (fumbling with the direction and reading the historical markers can be stressful and time consuming). We were provided cold water and granola bars - that was a welcome treat in the heat. We were back at base point meeting at 1230pm. So, for those of you who wants a stress free adventure, this is the way to go! Let the experts guide you and relax while having some fun.
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the convenience of the Joshua Tree meeting location, the knowledgeable commentary from your guide, and the opportunity to relax while exploring the park. Our goal is to make visiting Joshua Tree informative, comfortable, and stress-free, and we are pleased that the tour exceeded your expectations. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another desert adventure in the future.
Well planned tour with a stop at the visitor center right beforehand for last minute bio breaks before entering the park. Well informed guide. Multiple stops to take photos and explore a bit.
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the tour's pacing, photo opportunities, and informative commentary. Our visitor center stop is a favorite convenience for many guests before entering the park. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back to Joshua Tree again soon.
We thoroughly enjoyed our Joshua Tree Scenic Tour! We learned much more than we would have, touring on our own. And the departure from Palm Springs was very convenient.
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you for your review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Joshua Tree Scenic Tour and found the experience more informative than exploring on your own. We are also pleased that our convenient Palm Springs departure location added to your experience. We hope to welcome you back to the desert again soon.
Tom was a great guide - very knowledgeable about the park and helped take photos! Overall it was a great experience.
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you for your kind review. We are delighted to hear that Tom's knowledge of Joshua Tree National Park and assistance with photos helped make your experience memorable. We will be sure to share your comments with him. We hope to welcome you back to the desert again soon.
The organization of the trip is terrible!! We still have not gone on our adventure. We are leaving in two days and have put our other tours in hold while we wait for reservations. Just awful.
Response from Host, June 2026
We are sorry that your tour had to be canceled. On the date of your scheduled departure, high wind conditions and weather advisories in Joshua Tree National Park made it unsafe for us to operate the tour. The safety of our guests and guides must always come first.
Because we were unable to conduct the tour safely, your reservation was fully refunded. We understand how disappointing a cancellation can be when travel plans are already in place, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
We appreciate your understanding and hope you will consider joining us again when conditions are more favorable.
Thank you for your feedback, and we wish you safe and enjoyable travels.
Stopped at 3 Places in Joshua tree for a short period of time
Tom was very knowledgeable.
Would have been nicer if we had a few More stops for The $ spent..
Response from Host, June 2026
Thank you for joining us and for sharing your feedback.
We're glad you enjoyed touring with Tom and appreciated his knowledge of Joshua Tree National Park.
Our Scenic Tour is designed to provide an overview of the park's major highlights while keeping walking distances relatively short and comfortable for a wide range of guests.
Most travelers spend about an hour to an hour and a half outside the vehicle during the day, with opportunities to explore several of Joshua Tree's most iconic locations.
For guests looking for a more active experience with additional hiking, we also offer private tours that can be customized to include longer walks and destinations such as Ryan Mountain.
We appreciate your comments and hope to welcome you back to the desert again soon.
Austin was an amazing guide. He’s super passionate, funny, accommodating, and helps you take your photos/videos. The other people I was with were also very kind and made this tour even better! It’s such a great tour, especially for solo travelers!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear Austin helped create such a fun, welcoming, and memorable experience for your day in Joshua Tree National Park. We love hearing that the tour felt comfortable and enjoyable for solo travelers as well. Helping guests capture great memories and enjoy the beauty of the park together is a big part of what we strive for. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to see you again on another desert adventure!
Good review of the park’s sites, very informative, comfortable ride, guide was extremely personable and accommodating
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your review! We’re very happy to hear you enjoyed the informative tour, comfortable ride, and Tom’s personable guiding style. Our goal is to make exploring Joshua Tree National Park both relaxing and memorable for every guest. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you back again in the future!
Tom is an excellent guide that is uniquely qualified for dealing with all kinds of people and their needs. His love for the Joshua Park is palpable, and he sets the mood for a one of a kind experience, that my group and I greatly appreciated.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! Tom truly has a deep passion for Joshua Tree National Park, and we’re so glad that came through during your experience. Creating a welcoming and memorable tour for guests of all backgrounds is something we care deeply about. We appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again on another adventure in the desert!
We had Tom as our guide and he thought of everything! He was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, kind, patient, funny, I could go on! He also had an awesome playlist drivinto into the park and leaving! However, the star of the tour was Joshua Tree! Its a magical place like nothing I've ever seen before! The weather was perfect and we were with a friendly group of people! Thanks for a great experience!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! We’re really glad you enjoyed your time with Tom—he truly loves sharing Joshua Tree and making each tour memorable.
It’s always great to hear when guests connect with the landscape the way you did. There’s something special about that first experience in the park, especially when the conditions line up just right.
We’d love to have you back anytime for another adventure!
the tour was wonderful. Easy pickup at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Our guide Eddie was terrific - Joshua Tree is gorgeous. The one tiny thing I'd note is that we were told we were going to the "official" visitors' center for Joshua Tree and instead went to a small private souvenir shop outside of the Park. I'd definitely recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for the kind words—we’re so glad you enjoyed the tour and that Eddie helped make it a memorable experience.
We’ll be sure to pass that along to him.
We also appreciate you pointing out the stop along the way. Just to clarify for future guests, the Welcome Center we visit is an official center affiliated with the City, and it offers the same maps, information, and many of the same items you would find at the National Park Visitor Center.
Our goal is always to provide a smooth and efficient experience while still giving guests access to everything they need to enjoy Joshua Tree to the fullest.
Thanks again for joining us and for the recommendation—we truly appreciate it.
The travel time to and from Palm Springs to the park itself was an hour each way. We rode in an econoline van and were crammed into the back row. The return trip was an old minivan with a nonfunctional back seat we had to sit on.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your feedback—we genuinely appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
You’re absolutely right that travel time between Palm Springs and Joshua Tree is typically about an hour each way, and the comfort of that journey plays an important role in the overall experience.
We’re sorry to hear that the transportation on your trip did not meet expectations, particularly regarding seating comfort on the return.
We work hard to ensure that all vehicles used in our tours are well-maintained, properly equipped, and provide a comfortable ride for all guests. Your comments regarding the seating have been noted and will be addressed directly with our team to prevent this from happening in the future.
We loved the trip with our guide Austin.
Loved the park, music and stories.
Park is must to be seen while in Palm Springs area.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for the kind words—we’re glad you had such an enjoyable trip.
Austin will really appreciate the shoutout. He has a great way of blending the stories, the music, and the landscape into something memorable.
And we couldn’t agree more—Joshua Tree is one of those places that just sticks with you. It’s definitely a must-see when you’re in the Palm Springs area.
Hope to see you out there again sometime.
From
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USD 127.20
per personWas USD 159.00
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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