Spend a full day walking through Joshua Tree with a local guide who knows the geology, culture, and secret corners of the park. Routes are customized to your group — expect 6–9 hours of variable miles, detailed natural history, and practical fieldcraft for desert travel.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The morning light in Joshua Tree strips the horizon down to angles: the stunted limbs of yucca trees reach like hands, granite monoliths coolly face the sky, and a thin wind carries sand and the distant clink of rockfall. You meet your guide — a two-decade resident who has logged hundreds of miles in the park — and within minutes the desert’s geometry becomes readable: trails that thread between boulder chokes, washes that remember last winter’s rain, and patches of cryptobiotic soil that refuse to be trod upon.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6–9 hours
Fitness Level
Good general fitness — able to walk 8–14 miles with intermittent elevation gain and short scrambles.
Wildlife
History
The area carries layers of human history from Indigenous use to late-19th-century mining; 20th-century climbers and artists then shaped the park’s modern identity.
Conservation
Biological soil crusts and Joshua trees are fragile—stay on durable trails, avoid stepping on cryptobiotic soil, and pack out all waste to protect the ecosystem.
Reserve your spot on the Full Day Hike in Joshua Tree National Park today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Hydrate aggressively
Bring and drink at least 2–3 liters; the guide provides reusable bottles or hydration bladders but start full and sip often to avoid heat stress.
Dress for sun and temperature swings
Wear a wide-brim hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and lightweight layers—desert days can be hot while mornings and late afternoons are cool.
Footwear and traction
Sturdy hiking boots with good tread and ankle support make scrambling over granite and uneven washes more secure.
Plan for park access
Joshua Tree charges an entrance fee and cell service is patchy; set your meeting point with the guide ahead of time and carry a printed confirmation or map.
Sturdy hiking boots
Supports ankles and provides traction on granite slabs and loose desert soil.
Sun hat & sunglasses
Protects from strong sun and glare across open desert vistas.
summer
Insulating layer (fleece or light jacket)
Mornings and late afternoons can be brisk even after a warm daytime hike.
winter
Headlamp or small flashlight
Useful if a route runs late or for short early starts before sunrise.