Joshua Tree National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour with Hidden Valley Nature Trail
by Adventures with Action
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$16.99Overview
This self-guided driving audio tour starts at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center, where travelers begin driving through the park while following the narrated route. The tour covers over 66 miles and includes more than 60 audio stories about the park’s landscape and history, lasting about 3 to 4 hours. The route passes through Joshua Tree town, known for its shops and restaurants, before entering the national park. Along the way, the tour guides visitors to landmarks such as the John Samuelson Rock Engravings via a 3.3-mile moderate trail, Willow Hole Oasis accessible by a 7-mile trail, and the Hemingway Buttress popular with climbers. The Hidden Valley Nature Trail, about one mile long, is included as a bonus hike and features a former Wild West gang hideout. Additional stops include Intersection Rock, a climbing hub with various routes; Cap Rock Trail, a short quarter-mile path with information on local plants; Lost Horse Valley and the Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail, where visitors learn about historic gold mining and see mine ruins; Queen Valley Road, site of an abandoned mine linked to past crimes; and Skull Rock, a distinctive rock formation next to an easy two-mile trail. The tour concludes at the Oasis Visitor Center in Twenty-Nine Palms, with an optional detour through southern parts of the park. The audio tour is delivered via an app that must be downloaded using WiFi or mobile data before the visit. It works offline, plays audio stories automatically based on location, and allows visitors to pause or start the tour at their convenience. The purchase is per vehicle, making it cost-effective for groups traveling together. No entrance fees or attraction tickets are included with the tour.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Joshua Tree Visitor Center
The tour begins at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center. From here, travelers drive through the park, which is located where two deserts meet. The route covers over 66 miles and includes more than 60 audio stories. Visitors see the park’s unusual Joshua trees, have the option to hike several trails, and can view desert sunsets. The tour duration is approximately 3 to 4 hours, and the access to the audio tour is lifetime with no expiration.
Joshua Tree National Park
Before entering the park, the route passes through the town of Joshua Tree. This small town has various shops and restaurants where visitors can purchase snacks or souvenirs before or after exploring the park.
5 min
John Samuelson Rock Engravings
This landmark is reached via a moderate 3.3-mile trail. Almost 100 years ago, John Samuelson carved various musings and declarations onto these rocks. These engravings remain visible today as a distinctive feature within the park.
5 min
Willow Hole Oasis
Willow Hole is accessible by a 7-mile trail leading to an unexpected desert oasis surrounded by willow trees. Many visitors initially think the water and trees are a mirage due to their rarity in the desert environment.
5 min
Hemingway Buttress
This climbing area consists of a large rock formation with numerous boulders. Climbers of all levels can scramble over the rocks. The buttress stands out visually and is a popular spot within Joshua Tree National Park.
5 min
Hidden Valley Nature Trail
This easy trail is about one mile long and features the former hideout of the McHaney Gang, a Wild West outlaw group. The trail offers scenic desert views and is included as a bonus stop in the audio tour package.
Intersection Rock
Intersection Rock is a large, towering rock formation that serves as a central point in the park. It is visible from afar and features many climbing routes with distinctive names such as Knuckle Cracker and Sympathy to the Devil.
Cap Rock Trail
Cap Rock Trail is a short quarter-mile walk surrounding a small boulder perched on a larger rock. The trail includes educational information about local plant species.
Lost Horse Valley
This expansive desert valley is named after events involving the McHaney Gang. The audio narration covers stories including a miner’s attempt to retrieve stolen horses.
Lost Horse Mine
The Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail is four miles long and leads to the remains of a historically successful gold mine. Along the trail, visitors see desert plants and scenic views. Visitors during summer should prepare for minimal shade.
Queen Valley Road
This stop features an abandoned mine where gold was found. The gold mining activities here are linked to criminal events including a murder.
Skull Rock
Skull Rock is a granite rock formation resembling a human skull. It is easily accessible from the roadside and marks the start of an easy two-mile hiking trail, one of the park’s most popular.
Sky's The Limit Observatory and Nature Center
This observatory and nature center provides information about the park’s plants and animals as well as astronomy. Joshua Tree is designated as a dark sky area, making it a good location for stargazing after dark.
Oasis Visitor Center
The final stop on the main route is the Oasis Visitor Center located in Twenty-Nine Palms. Visitors can end the tour here or continue south through the park using an optional detour that exits via the southern gate.
Meeting point
You can also begin the tour from Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center, 6533 Freedom Wy, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA.
End point
West Entrance: Start on Park Blvd near 6563 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA, heading south toward the park with the Joshua Tree Visitor Center on your right. Suggested start; not affiliated, so staff won’t have tour info. Audio auto-starts—check email/text, download ahead on strong internet.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Joshua Tree National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour with Hidden Valley Nature Trail
by Adventures with Action
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$16.99Overview
This self-guided driving audio tour starts at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center, where travelers begin driving through the park while following the narrated route. The tour covers over 66 miles and includes more than 60 audio stories about the park’s landscape and history, lasting about 3 to 4 hours. The route passes through Joshua Tree town, known for its shops and restaurants, before entering the national park. Along the way, the tour guides visitors to landmarks such as the John Samuelson Rock Engravings via a 3.3-mile moderate trail, Willow Hole Oasis accessible by a 7-mile trail, and the Hemingway Buttress popular with climbers. The Hidden Valley Nature Trail, about one mile long, is included as a bonus hike and features a former Wild West gang hideout. Additional stops include Intersection Rock, a climbing hub with various routes; Cap Rock Trail, a short quarter-mile path with information on local plants; Lost Horse Valley and the Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail, where visitors learn about historic gold mining and see mine ruins; Queen Valley Road, site of an abandoned mine linked to past crimes; and Skull Rock, a distinctive rock formation next to an easy two-mile trail. The tour concludes at the Oasis Visitor Center in Twenty-Nine Palms, with an optional detour through southern parts of the park. The audio tour is delivered via an app that must be downloaded using WiFi or mobile data before the visit. It works offline, plays audio stories automatically based on location, and allows visitors to pause or start the tour at their convenience. The purchase is per vehicle, making it cost-effective for groups traveling together. No entrance fees or attraction tickets are included with the tour.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Joshua Tree Visitor Center
The tour begins at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center. From here, travelers drive through the park, which is located where two deserts meet. The route covers over 66 miles and includes more than 60 audio stories. Visitors see the park’s unusual Joshua trees, have the option to hike several trails, and can view desert sunsets. The tour duration is approximately 3 to 4 hours, and the access to the audio tour is lifetime with no expiration.
Joshua Tree National Park
Before entering the park, the route passes through the town of Joshua Tree. This small town has various shops and restaurants where visitors can purchase snacks or souvenirs before or after exploring the park.
5 min
John Samuelson Rock Engravings
This landmark is reached via a moderate 3.3-mile trail. Almost 100 years ago, John Samuelson carved various musings and declarations onto these rocks. These engravings remain visible today as a distinctive feature within the park.
5 min
Willow Hole Oasis
Willow Hole is accessible by a 7-mile trail leading to an unexpected desert oasis surrounded by willow trees. Many visitors initially think the water and trees are a mirage due to their rarity in the desert environment.
5 min
Hemingway Buttress
This climbing area consists of a large rock formation with numerous boulders. Climbers of all levels can scramble over the rocks. The buttress stands out visually and is a popular spot within Joshua Tree National Park.
5 min
Hidden Valley Nature Trail
This easy trail is about one mile long and features the former hideout of the McHaney Gang, a Wild West outlaw group. The trail offers scenic desert views and is included as a bonus stop in the audio tour package.
Intersection Rock
Intersection Rock is a large, towering rock formation that serves as a central point in the park. It is visible from afar and features many climbing routes with distinctive names such as Knuckle Cracker and Sympathy to the Devil.
Cap Rock Trail
Cap Rock Trail is a short quarter-mile walk surrounding a small boulder perched on a larger rock. The trail includes educational information about local plant species.
Lost Horse Valley
This expansive desert valley is named after events involving the McHaney Gang. The audio narration covers stories including a miner’s attempt to retrieve stolen horses.
Lost Horse Mine
The Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail is four miles long and leads to the remains of a historically successful gold mine. Along the trail, visitors see desert plants and scenic views. Visitors during summer should prepare for minimal shade.
Queen Valley Road
This stop features an abandoned mine where gold was found. The gold mining activities here are linked to criminal events including a murder.
Skull Rock
Skull Rock is a granite rock formation resembling a human skull. It is easily accessible from the roadside and marks the start of an easy two-mile hiking trail, one of the park’s most popular.
Sky's The Limit Observatory and Nature Center
This observatory and nature center provides information about the park’s plants and animals as well as astronomy. Joshua Tree is designated as a dark sky area, making it a good location for stargazing after dark.
Oasis Visitor Center
The final stop on the main route is the Oasis Visitor Center located in Twenty-Nine Palms. Visitors can end the tour here or continue south through the park using an optional detour that exits via the southern gate.
Meeting point
You can also begin the tour from Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center, 6533 Freedom Wy, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA.
End point
West Entrance: Start on Park Blvd near 6563 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA, heading south toward the park with the Joshua Tree Visitor Center on your right. Suggested start; not affiliated, so staff won’t have tour info. Audio auto-starts—check email/text, download ahead on strong internet.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.