Joshua Tree National Park Tour
Explore the land of jumbo boulders and the endemic Dr. Seuss-esque Joshua Tree on your private tour.
Overview
Activity details
Explore Nearby Joshua Tree National Park
Journey through two deserts and the transition zone between two eco-systems on this half-day excursion to nearby Joshua Tree National Park, home of Jumbo boulders and the Park’s iconic and endemic Dr. Seuss-esque plant: the Joshua Tree. Along the way, learn about the wind turbines that line the San Gorgonio Pass, visit several highlights including Keys View Overlook (weather permitting), and enjoy a picnic lunch in the Park.
Tour Highlights
Journey Through Two Deserts: Join a professional naturalist guide on an exciting excursion through two unique desert landscapes and the transition zone between them, learning about the plants, animals, and history of the high desert.
Renewable Energy: Guests departing from the Greater Palm Springs area will enjoy a narrated tour of the Coachella Valley and learn about the wind and solar energy generated from the San Gorgonio Pass wind and solar farms.
Three Hours of Exploration Inside the Park: Spend 3 hours exploring the park, with stops for photos, nature walks, and optional hikes, tailored to your preferences, including Key’s View Overlook, which offers a stunning viewpoint from 5,185 ft. in elevation where you can see all the way to Mexico on a clear day.
Lunch Included: Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch in the park amidst the desert’s natural beauty.
What's included
This tour is conducted in a SUV (capacity: 3 guests) or Van (capacity 5 guests). For reservations for larger parties, please call us at (760) 324-5337 to discuss options.
The tour includes a naturalist-guided experience in a climate-controlled, enclosed vehicle, along with a guided nature walk or an easy hike tailored to the guests' abilities and interests. Admission to Joshua Tree National Park is included, as well as bottled water, granola snacks, and a picnic lunch in the park.
What's not included
While tour guide gratuities are not included, they are always appreciated! A suggested gratuity of 10-15% of the tour price is recommended, but feel free to tip at your discretion.
Gratuities can be given directly to your guide, who can accept tips via Venmo, Zelle, or cash. If you'd prefer to add a gratuity to the credit card you used for booking, just contact us after your tour, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Pricing
This tour is sold by the vehicle and is offered on a private basis.
- 2 Guests - $1,200
- 3 Guests - $1,400
- 4 Guests - $1,600
- 5 Guests - $1,800
Tours for larger parties of up to 100 guests are available on a request basis using rental equipement (sprinter van, mini-coach, or full-size bus). Contact us for more information.
Additional information
Check-in details
- Complimentary pickup is offered from throughout the Greater Palm Springs area (including the cities of La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, or Palm Springs) as well as from the high desert communities of Yucca Valley, Morongo Valley, and the town of Joshua Tree. Guests may also join the tour in downtown Palm Springs at the sightseeing tour loading zone in front of the Welwood Murray Memorial Library (100 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262) or at the Joshua Tree National Park West Entrance Visitor’s Center (6554 Park Blvd Joshua Tree, CA 92252)
- If your guide has not arrived by 5 minutes before your scheduled departure time, please call our office at (760) 324-5337, Ext. 1, so taht we can contact the guide and provide an updated ETA.
What to bring/wear:
Proper Footwear: Good walking shoes with traction are recommended. Open-toe shoes or sandals are not advised.
Comfortable Clothing: Wear comfortable clothing and dress in layers, as desert temperatures can change rapidly.
Cooler Months: For tours in the cooler months (November through March), we recommend bringing a sweater or light jacket for morning outings. The temperature in Joshua Tree National Park is usually around 15 degrees cooler than in the low desert and there may be snow during the winter.
Sun Protection: Bring a hat and sunglasses and apply sunscreen before the tour. The desert sun can be intense, and it's easy to get sunburned from the reflection off the sand.
Eye Protection: If you wear contact lenses, consider wearing sunglasses or other protective eyewear, as it can get dusty during windy conditions.
Know before you go
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your tour, especially during the warmer months.
Snacks and Beverages: We provide plenty of cool bottled water and granola bars. While we ask that you refrain from bringing outside food or beverages on the tour, you may bring your young children’s favorite snacks and drinks.
Restroom Facilities: We will stop several times for bathroom breaks during the tour.
Seatbelts: Seat belts are required at all times while the vehicle is in motion for your safety.
Capture the Moments: Be sure to bring your camera or smartphone! You'll encounter countless Instagram-worthy photo and video opportunities. Share your tour memories and tag us for a chance to be featured on our Facebook and Instagram pages!
@RedJeepTours @MetateRanch #RedJeepTours
Liability waivers
- All guests are required to sign a liability waiver.
- A parent or legal guardian must sign the liability waiver for children under 18.
Mobility-restricted guests
- Please let us know when booking if you have any mobility issues that limit your ability to walk so that we can adjust the tour to meet your needs.
Child policy
No Unaccompanied Minors: An adult must accompany children under 18.
Minimum Age: Due to the length of this tour, the minimum recommended age for children is 8 years. However, children as young as 3 years are permitted.
Booster Seats: Children under the age of 8 years 4' 9" must ride in a booster seat, supplied by the guest.
For more information about the suitability of the tour for young children, please call (760) 324-5337, Ext. 1, or email us.
Disclaimers
This tour is conducted in a climate-controlled SUV or Van - NOT A JEEP.
FAQs
How long is the tour?
- Tours are about 5.5 to 6 hours long, depending on pickup location and traffic.
Is this a Jeep Tour?
- No, this tour is conducted in a climate-controlled Van or SUV.
- Our SUV can accommodate up to 3 adults (or 2 adults and 2 children).
- Our Van can accommodate up to 4 adults (or 4 adults and 2 children).
Do I need a reservation?
- Yes, advance reservations are required and are subject to availability.
- The cut-off time for online reservations is 12:00 PM (Noon) the day before the tour.
- For reservations after our online cut-off, you may email us at resv@red-jeep.com or call (760) 324-5337, Ext. 1 to book your tour.
Do you offer this tour every day?
- No. Because of heavy traffic in the park on the weekends, this tour is offered Monday-Friday only.
- During peak or holiday periods, we suggest starting the tour at 7:00 AM, even during the week, so that we can beat the lines to get into the park.
Do you offer hotel pickup?
- Yes, this tour includes pickup from La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, or the high-desert communities of Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, or Joshua Tree.
- Guests may also join the tour at the Joshua Tree National Park West Entrance Visitor's Center (6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252)
Do you have any tour minimums or maximums?
A minimum of 2 guests is required to operate this tour.
Online reservations are accepted for 2 to 8 guests. However, parties of 6 to 8 people will be split between 2 vehicles. If you would like to travel together in one vehicle, please contact us for pricing to upgrade to a sprinter van that will accommodate your whole party.
Private and group tours for 6 to 100 guests are also offered. Please call (760) 324-5337, Ext. 2 or email us for more information on group tours.
Will my kids like this tour?
- Absolutely! Kids love our tours—they’re fun, interactive, and may even keep your teen engaged. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy some quality screen-free family time together!
Is there cell / internet service in the Park
- No. Cell reception and mobile internet is extremely limited inside Joshua Tree National Park.
What is your pet policy?
- Service dogs are welcome, but we recommend that you leave your family dog at home.
- Service dogs are allowed in all areas where visitors are allowed, but must be leashed or harnessed and under control at all times.
- Other dogs are not allowed on hiking trails, which will limit the areas we can visit on your tour.
- Please inform us in advance if you will be bringing a service dog.
- Cats and other animals are not permitted.
How do I redeem a gift certificate?
- Guests redeeming a gift certificate with a 4-digit code must call (760) 324-5337, Ext. 1 or email us to book.
- Gift Cards (with a 20-digit code) may be redeemed online. Simply enter your gift card as a method of payment at check-out.
What is your cancellation policy?
- We have a 48-hour cancellation policy. No refunds or credits are given for tours canceled within 48 hours or for no-shows.
- Trip cancellation insurance is recommended for protection against unforeseen cancellations due to illness, accident, or injury.
What happens if it's supposed to rain?
All tours take place as scheduled: rain or shine, cloudy or clear, hot or cold. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
We may alter tours to accommodate weather changes to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. If light rain is predicted, we provide rain ponchos.
In the event of heavy rains or flash flood advisories or warnings, the tour will be canceled or rescheduled, prioritizing your safety above all else.
If you wish to cancel due to forecasted inclement weather when we deem it safe to operate, our standard 48-hour cancellation policy will apply. However, you may be offered the option to reschedule at no charge, subject to availability.
If we cancel a tour due to extreme weather conditions, you will have the option to:
- Reschedule to a different day without penalty (subject to availability);
- Receive a gift card for later use; or
- Receive a refund back to your original payment method.
- If we must cut a tour short due to extreme weather, a partial or prorated refund may be offered based on the circumstances and the amount of the tour completed.
Cancellations
Cancellation Policy
You may cancel for any reason up until 48-hours before departure for a full refund, less any out-of-pocket non-refundable costs we have incurred on your behalf such as special-order F&B we already purchased for you.
Refunds will be issued to the original method or payment or we can issue you a gift card to use on a future trip. Gift cards never expire, they are transferrable, and you can use them on any tour.
Trip cancellation insurance is recommended as protection against unforseen cancellation due to illness, accident, or injury.
There will be no refund or credit for cancellations received within 48-hours of departure or for no shows, unless cancellation is due to one of the following reasons:
Force Majeure
A gift card will be issued if cancellation is necessary due to governmental action, global pandemic, government shutdown, fire, flood, insurrection, earthquake, power failure, riot, explosion, embargo, strikes whether legal or illegal, actions or inaction of third parties, third party equipment not within our reasonable control, or any other condition beyond our reasonable control that prevents us from providing the agreed-upon services.
Mechanical Issues or Breakdown
If we are unable to operate the tour safely due to vehicle mechanical issues or a break-down, a partial/prorated refund may be offered (based on the circumstances and amount of the tour completed). Refunds will be back to the original method of payment.
Extreme Weather
If we must cancel a tour due to extreme weather (heavy rain or a flash flood advisory or warning), you will have the option to reschedule to a different day without penalty (subject to space availability), receive a gift card that you can use at a later date, or receive a refund back to your original method of payment.
If we must cut a tour short due to extreme weather, a partial/prorated refund may be offered (based on the circumstances and amount of tour completed).
If you wish to cancel a tour due to predicted inclement weather, but we determine that it is safe to operate, then our normal 48-hour cancellation policy applies. However, you may be offered the option to reschedule your tour at no charge (subject to availability) to another day or time.