3 to 8 hours (approx.)
Daily Tour
5 people
English
Immerse yourself in the wonder of Joshua Tree National Park on this self-guided driving tour. Discover the best places to stop for capturing iconic photos, exploring historical ruins, or taking a scenic hike. Our mobile app will guide you along each step of the way, while also giving you an overview of the area's intriguing history and unique ecosystem. Plus, you get the same experience whether you decide to enter the park via the West Entrance or the North Entrance (entrance fee not included). And don't forget, access to our FREE Local's Guide is also included, and it's packed with tons of additional recommended sights, attractions, and activities in the towns of Joshua Tree, Pioneertown and more!
Quail Springs is a trailhead and picnic area. It’s a great place to get out and walk around, explore some boulders, and take some pictures. An optional hike can take you to a nearby homestead site with rock carvings.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Boy Scout Trail provides hiking access to Indian Cove as well as Willow Hole, which is an oasis tucked into the Wonderland of Rocks area. The rock formations and unique landscape can make this a mesmerizing place to hike, especially at the right time of day.
• Admission Ticket Free
The Hidden Valley Trail is a relatively easy one-mile loop that circles a secluded valley surrounded by towering rock formations. It’s a particularly scenic hike, especially given how short and level it is.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Take a short loop hike to a natural tank that was artificially fortified by ranchers in the early 1900’s to collect rain and runoff for livestock. On the way back, keep your eyes out for some petroglyphs and rock art.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Optional hike from the Barker Dam area to visit the Wall Street Mill, which processed ore that was extracted from nearby mines. Also along the way are the Wonderland Ranch homestead ruins.
• Admission Ticket Free
Stop at this scenic overlook that provides a sweeping panorama of the Coachella Valley. On a clear day, you can see for miles, from the Salton Sea to the south, to Mount San Jacinto which towers above Palm Springs at an elevation of 10,830 feet.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Take a short hike (optional) to this old homestead site of a wealthy rancher turned mine operator.
• Admission Ticket Free
Get out and explore a mini slot canyon tucked into the boulders!
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Optional but challenging hike to the top of Ryan Mountain. Because of its central location within the park, the views from the top can be stunning.
• Admission Ticket Free
Located right along the road, Skull Rock is a natural rock formation and popular photo spot.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Another optional loop hike that gets a little less traffic than some of the other sites in the park.
• Admission Ticket Free
Relatively easy and popular hike that lets you visit 2 natural rock formations on one hike, Arch Rock and Heart Rock.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Get a taste of Joshua Tree’s lower desert ecosystem, the Colorado Desert. You’ll be surrounded by fuzzy-looking Teddy Bear Cholla, but you don’t want to touch them!
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free