Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 577 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour worth booking?
Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour is a 3-hour experience in Palm Springs, United States, from $127 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 577 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 83 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (577)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $127 per person
Head out on this a small group tour into Joshua Tree National Park conducted on an exciting air-conditioned H2 Hummer or touring Van. Gawk at the amazing contortions of rock that create an amazing landscape of vibrant co
What you get
About this experience
Head out on this a small group tour into Joshua Tree National Park conducted on an exciting air-conditioned H2 Hummer or touring Van. Gawk at the amazing contortions of rock that create an amazing landscape of vibrant colors against the bluest sky in California! Your expert guide will illuminate your understanding about how this landscape was created and share the stories of the Indians and settlers who lived here. See the most iconic and most photographed places in the park as well as stop at a viewpoint where you can see all the way to Mexico! This tour will visit the most iconic locations in the park including it's legendary giant boulders, learn about the forces of the San Andreas Fault that jolt the landscape beneath Joshua Tree itself. SCHEDULE Morning Tours: Palm Desert Mortons Daily. 8 am to 1:30 pm Palm Springs Art Museum Daily 8:30 am to 1:30 pm Yucca Valley Welcome Center Daily 9:30 am to 12:30 pm Note: Park Entrance of $15 pp is NOT included in the price.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Expert national park guide
- Snacks
- General Admission
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Surcharges on fuel
Not included
- Gratuity
- Sunscreen
What you'll see and do
Joshua Tree National Park
We provide you an informative and entertaining tour of Joshua Tree with one of our professional geology guides. You will explore the park with a professional eco guide while you explore the ancient geological landscape that was once the home of the Serrano Indians. We also take you to the most photographed places in the park and take a walk in an area where you can find Indian cave drawings and even an old dam left by cowboys long past.
180 minutes here · Admission not included
Cap Rock Trail
Explore with your guide enormous rock formations exposed at the Earths surface that were produced by the very forces of the San Andreas Fault miles beneath. Here rocks seem to precariously balance upon one another in a fight between gravity and subterranean forces. A 30 minute optional guided walk is made here.
30 minutes here
Intersection Rock
This iconic rock formation is one of the most popular places in the park for rock climbers. Gawk at the climbers as they challenge the perils of the 3rd dimension.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Barker Dam Trail
Take an optional hike with your Wilderness guide on this Trail originally lay down by the Cowboys. This will take you by Indian petroglyphs as well as a water resource that is used by high elevation Bighorn Sheep and deer. This area is surrounded with 20 million year old Miocene rock formations that are the vaunted destination for expert rock climbers all over the world.
45 minutes here
Keys View
Gawk at a view that stretches for hundreds of miles. From this high point in Joshua Tree you can see as far as the Salton Sea and all the way down to Mexico on a clear day. You might even be able to make out your hotel on this escarpment that borders the famous San Andreas Fault. Look below this ledge we will stop at and you will see the fault line itself which stretches for over 800 miles.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Palm Springs
This departure is daily at 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 pm for the afternoon tour. The afternoon is a great choice as we get back at 4:30 p.m. just in time for a cowboy western dinner in the area! We have lots of recommendations.
Meeting point
Palm Springs
This departure is every daily in front of the main Museum entrance at 8:30 a.m
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
This departure is daily at 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 pm for the afternoon tour. The afternoon is a great choice as we get back at 4:30 p.m. just in time for a cowboy western dinner in the area! We have lots of recommendations.
Ends at
This departure is every daily in front of the main Museum entrance at 8:30 a.m
Options you can book
Palm Springs Museum Van 8:30
Duration: 5 hours Heated Enclosed Adventure van : This leaves directly in front of the famous Palm Springs Art Museum at the bottom of the Museum stairs. Returns about 1:30 pm Starting point: Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 N Museum Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA
Welcome Center Van 1:30 p.m.
Duration: 3 hours Sunset tour : Enjoy the park during the last light of day as well as when it is at its warmest. A great option for photographers. Starting point: California Welcome Center-Yucca Valley, 56711 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley, CA 92284, USA
Welcome Center Van 9:30 am
Duration: 3 hours: This leaves closer to the entrance of Joshua Tree National Park at the Yucca Valley Welcome Center located at 56711 Hwy 62. Enclosed and heated van: This makes a nice 3-hour tour and expect to be back between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m. Starting point: California Welcome Center-Yucca Valley, 56711 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley, CA 92284, USA
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 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Outdoor Adventures, Inc.
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 577 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 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
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
577 verified traveler reviews for Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Hummer Joshua tree tour 👍
Our tour guide “Austin” was absolutely amazing!! 5 star tour guide. He was patient & , very knowledgeable. Austin had plenty of fun facts. We loved the open air hummer ride . Felt like the outback. Book this tour you won’t be disappointed! Request Austin😊
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled you had such a memorable day exploring Joshua Tree with Austin. He truly has a passion for the park and enjoys sharing its fascinating geology, history, and wildlife with our guests. We're especially glad you enjoyed the open-air Hummer experience—it's a unique way to experience the desert and one of our favorite ways to introduce visitors to Joshua Tree National Park. Thank you for your kind recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure!
via Tripadvisor
Convenient Without a Car, but Overpriced for the Experience
If you don’t have a rental car, this is a convenient—and perhaps one of the only—ways to visit Joshua Tree from Palm Springs, especially on a very hot Independence Day. I appreciated having transportation without worrying about driving in the desert. However, the overall experience didn’t justify the price (around $170). The pickup was stressful. I arrived 15 minutes early, but there was no guide or vehicle. Customer service couldn’t reach the guide and even told me the tour might have been canceled. Thankfully, it eventually departed. The pre-trip instructions also told guests to purchase a National Park entrance pass, but July 4 was a fee-free day, so I unnecessarily spent $15. To their credit, after I contacted the operator, they promptly reimbursed the entrance fee. Finally, the guided experience was disappointing. Because of the van’s noise and air conditioning, passengers in the middle and back could barely hear the guide. As a result, most of the explanations were given only after getting off the van, and the total commentary throughout the tour was probably less than 20 minutes. We spent only about 1.5–2 hours inside the park, with much of the tour spent driving. Overall, it’s a convenient transportation option, but I expected a much richer guided experience and better organization for this price.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I'm sorry the uncertainty at pickup caused you stress. Although your tour departed on schedule, we understand how unsettling it can be if you don't immediately see your guide on a busy holiday like July 4. You're absolutely correct that National Park entrance fees are waived on Independence Day, and we're glad we were able to promptly reimburse the $15 fee once you contacted us. Regarding the tour itself, our Scenic Van Tour is designed as a comfortable sightseeing experience with a certified National Park guide providing commentary throughout the five-hour journey, both while driving and during stops. While road and air-conditioning noise can occasionally make it more difficult for passengers seated toward the rear of the van to hear every word, we're sorry if that affected your experience. We appreciate your feedback and will use it to continue improving communication before departure and the onboard experience. Thank you for choosing to visit Joshua Tree with us. As to pricing, we are presently the least expensive tour leaving from the Downtown Palm Springs area by almost $100 per person.
via Tripadvisor
A spectacular day out!
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 the operator: 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!
via Viator
It was our first trip to...
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 the operator: 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!
via Viator
Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Review
I had an amazing experience. Our tour guide was prompt, knowledgeable, and helpful during the tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted you enjoyed your Joshua Tree experience. We appreciate your kind words about your guide and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $127 to $179
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 202
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 83
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Palm Springs.
How much does Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour cost?
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Prices start at $127 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 Scenic Tour take?
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Plan for about 3 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 Scenic Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 577 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Palm Springs, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Joshua Tree National Park Scenic 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 Scenic Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour?
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Around 202 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Joshua Tree National Park Scenic 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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