Spend a private day exploring Joshua Tree’s boulder gardens, rare palm oases, and rolling desert vistas with a naturalist guide who tailors hikes to your group. This full-day tour blends geology, history, and hands-on desert knowledge for a compact, interpretive adventure.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step out of an air-conditioned van and the desert announces itself in a single, dry breath: gnarled Joshua trunks cut sharp silhouettes against an enormous blue sky, and granite boulders pile up like the remains of something tectonic and deliberate. Your guide folds a park map and points to the day’s options—Lost Palms Oasis, a ridge scramble up Mastodon Peak, a labyrinth of balancing rocks near Jumbo Rocks—then adjusts the route to the group’s pace. The day becomes a series of purposeful stops, each with a geological anecdote, a botanical eye-opener, and, if you’re lucky, an animal track telling the story of a night in the desert.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6–8 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness for walking on uneven desert trails and short scrambles; able to handle several miles and some elevation gain.
Wildlife
History
The park’s landscape records both Indigenous land use and a brief mining boom in the late 1800s and early 1900s; many old shafts and equipment remain as historical markers.
Conservation
Stay on designated trails to protect cryptobiotic soils and fragile plant roots; guides emphasize Leave No Trace practices to minimize visitor impact.
Reserve your spot on the Joshua Tree Full Day Private Tour & Hike today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Carry ample water
Bring at least 2 liters per person and a collapsible extra—water is the desert’s first rule and guides may refill but don’t rely on it.
Wear grippy shoes
Rocky, uneven trails and short scrambles reward hiking shoes or boots with a tough tread rather than casual sneakers.
Sun protection matters
Wide-brim hat, long sleeves, and SPF will save your comfort on exposed stretches; the guide will pause for shade when available.
Communicate mobility limits
This private tour customizes hikes—tell your guide about knees, vertigo, or other concerns so they can plan suitable routes.
Sturdy hiking shoes
Provides traction on granite slabs and sandy washes.
2–3L water reservoir or bottles
Keeps you hydrated through unshaded stretches and warm temperatures.
summer
Sun hat and sunscreen
Protects skin and eyes during prolonged sun exposure.
summer
Light insulated layer
Afternoons and early mornings can be cool—layers let you adjust quickly.
fall