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Offered languages
- German
- German
- English
- English
- French
- French
- Spanish
- Spanish
Immerse yourself in the wonder of Joshua Tree National Park on this self-guided driving tour from Drives & Detours. Using our mobile app and GPS-triggered audio, you’ll cruise through surreal desert landscapes and discover iconic stops like Skull Rock, Hidden Valley, and the Cholla Cactus Garden—along with hidden gems you might otherwise miss.
Start the tour from either the West or North park entrance and travel at your own pace. Whether you're snapping photos, hiking short trails, or just enjoying the views from your car, the tour offers a flexible, informative, and offline-friendly way to explore.
You’ll also receive free access to our Local’s Guide, packed with handpicked recommendations for restaurants, art galleries, roadside attractions, and more in Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, and Pioneertown—perfect for planning a full day or weekend in the area.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Itinerary
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1
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 -
(Pass by)
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 -
2Hidden Valley
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 -
3
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 -
(Pass by)
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 -
4
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 -
(Pass by)
Take a short hike (optional) to this old homestead site of a wealthy rancher turned mine operator.
Admission ticket free -
5
Get out and explore a mini slot canyon tucked into the boulders!
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
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 -
6
Located right along the road, Skull Rock is a natural rock formation and popular photo spot.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Another optional loop hike that gets a little less traffic than some of the other sites in the park.
Admission ticket free -
7
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 -
8
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
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Works entirely offline once downloaded—no cell service required
- GPS-triggered audio plays automatically based on your location
- Start from either of the main park entrances (West or North)
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Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Works entirely offline once downloaded—no cell service required
- GPS-triggered audio plays automatically based on your location
- Start from either of the main park entrances (West or North)
- All suggested hikes are optional—tour takes ~3 hours without hiking
- Free Local’s Guide included with additional sights and activities nearby
- Flexible - Buy once, use any day/time—access never expires
- One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle
- Download the Drives & Detours app and tour before arriving in the park
- Bring a car charger or fully charged phone
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Show more
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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