
Joshua Tree National Park Paved Road Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 302 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Joshua Tree National Park Paved Road Tour worth booking?
Joshua Tree National Park Paved Road Tour is a 5-hour experience in Palm Springs, United States, from $249 per person. It scores 85 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 302 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 85 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (302)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $249 per person
Just north of Palm Springs lies one of nature's majestic creations, Joshua Tree National Park. In the comfort of an enclosed, climate-controlled vehicle your guide will take you on an extensive all paved road tour throug
What you get
About this experience
Just north of Palm Springs lies one of nature's majestic creations, Joshua Tree National Park. In the comfort of an enclosed, climate-controlled vehicle your guide will take you on an extensive all paved road tour through the stunning rock formations and otherworldly landscape of the Mojave Desert. This activity has a 2 person requirement for the tour to run. If you are a single rider, please call first. NOTICE: EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025 ALL JOSHUA TREE TOURS WILL REQUIRE GUESTS TO PAY THEIR OWN $15 ENTRY FEE UPON ENTERING THE PARK. ENTRY FEES WILL NO LONGER BE INCLUDED IN THE BIG WHEEL TOURS PRICING. PLEASE COME PREPARED WITH A FORM OF PAYMENT (CREDIT CARD) TO ACCOMMODATE THIS NEW POLICY. THANK YOU!
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Driver/guide
- Live commentary on board
Not included
- Gratuities
- Entrance fee to Joshua Tree National Park is $15 per person starting January 1, 2025
What you'll see and do
Keys View
If guests would like to see a stunning lookout from over 5000 feet, this is the place!
15 minutes here
Hidden Valley
If guests would like to do a short nature walk this is a great and easy chance to stretch the legs
30 minutes here
Joshua Tree Visitor Center
If guests are interested in picking up a souvenir or using the restroom we offer a chance to stop here
15 minutes here
Joshua Tree National Park
The centerpiece of the whole tour!
180 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Palm Springs
Ample parking on the block in front our Palm Desert store available. Restrooms available as well.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Ample parking on the block in front our Palm Desert store available. Restrooms available as well.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Big Wheel Tours, Inc.
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately (may be 15-20 degrees cooler in the park)
- Age limit of 6 years old
- Do you have any physical limitations or food allergies we should be aware of?
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 302 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
302 verified traveler reviews for Joshua Tree National Park Paved Road Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Ron was an amazing...
Ron was an amazing guide-very knowledgeable, friendly, and easy to talk to. Joshua Tree is unbelievably unique and gorgeous!
Response from the operator: Thank you Jennifer!
via Viator
A Great Way to Explore Joshua Tree and All its Wonders
Fantastic experience with our guide Jeff. He was very knowledgeable, attentive, and outgoing. He stopped everywhere we asked so we could look around and take pictures. I would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to explore Joshua Tree, especially for the first time.
Response from the operator: Thank you for the kind 5 star review!
via Tripadvisor
Loved loved loved!
We loved every minute of our tour! Our guide Ron was incredible. So knowledgeable and enjoyable. Made a point to be super accommodating of our disability. We had a blast.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much! We're so glad you had a great tour!
via Tripadvisor
Captain Ron is the BEST!
Captain Ron was a phenomenal guide and driver on our 5 hour tour of Joshua Tree National Park. So informative and kept us engaged the entire time. Park was stunning! Highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you for the review!
via Tripadvisor
This tour should NOT be missed!!
What a fantastic tour we enjoyed yesterday of Joshua Tree National Park with Jeff as our guide! He was amazingly well-informed and entertaining. The tour was all we had hoped it would be and more! My husband and I are in our mid-80's and I would highly recommend this tour for Seniors! All in all what a wonderful day learning about this beautiful place!
Response from the operator: We're so glad you enjoyed your tour with us! Thank you for such a nice review!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 106
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 85
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Joshua Tree National Park Paved Road Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Palm Springs.
How much does Joshua Tree National Park Paved Road Tour cost?
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Prices start at $249 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Palm Springs usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Joshua Tree National Park Paved Road Tour take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Palm Springs is not rushed.
Is Joshua Tree National Park Paved Road Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 85 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 302 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Palm Springs, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Joshua Tree National Park Paved Road Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Joshua Tree National Park Paved Road Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Joshua Tree National Park Paved Road Tour?
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Around 106 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Palm Springs can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Palm Springs and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Joshua Tree National Park Paved Road Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Palm Springs within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?
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Palm Springs sells architecture tours through midcentury neighbourhoods, Aerial Tramway trips up San Jacinto, Indian Canyons hikes, Joshua Tree stargazing and windmill farm runs. Shade, water and pickup points separate a good desert tour from a rough one. On Outty we rank every Palm Springs experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Bank Heist Escape Room Game for Private Group, Palm Springs Modernism Architecture & History Bike Tour, Vampire's Lair Escape Room Game for Private Group. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Palm Springs?
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November to April. Book dawn or evening slots in summer. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Palm Springs?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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