Joshua Tree Autocamp Tour
Joshua Tree National Park, CA
5.0 (1 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Fantastic Winter Hiking
- Surreal Monzogranite Formations
- Sweeping Vistas
- The Paranormal Wonderland of Rocks
- Unique Lodging
- Desert Oasis
- Desert Wildlife Including Possible Big Horn Sheep
- Fascinating Natural & Cultural History
Description
On this very unique tour of Joshua Tree National Park, we explore the area on a series of hikes by day and enjoy fantastically unique lodging in the evenings. Joshua Tree Autocamp is a luxury lodge with chic, modernized, individual Airstream trailers for each party. You will enjoy the highlights of Joshua Tree along with a very comfortable, modern hotel experience that combines the best of camping and lodging in one experience (campfires, star-lit skies, showers, real beds, and privacy all in one!)
By visiting Joshua Tree in the wonderful winter months, we’ll enjoy relative seclusion and calm in what is quickly becoming one of America’s top national parks. We’ll maximize our time with fulfilling hikes by day to a variety of Joshua Tree must-see features like desert oases and soaring desert summits. Billion-year-old monzogranite intrusions bloom above the surrounding desert, and expansive Joshua Tree “forests” blanket broad valleys. In the mornings and evenings, it feels more like a savannah than a desert, with the bizarre looking Joshua Trees (a member of the Yucca family) framing the horizon at the very edge of the Mojave desert.
NEED TO KNOW: WINTER TRIPS
If you want to get out hiking this winter, Joshua Tree is a great place to do it! Winter temperatures in the Mojave Desert are wonderful for hiking and enjoying being outdoors and surrounded by vast wilderness. Joshua Tree is one of our top recommended winter hiking destinations at Wildland.
$2960 Per Person
$555 Single Supplement
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip has mostly moderate hiking distances and elevation gains/losses. Because it’s an inn-based tour, our packs are very light. The terrain is mostly well maintained trails with some areas of moderate ruggedness and light exposure.
Hiking Distances:
4-10 mi
Backpack Weight:
10-15 pounds
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
1200 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 10-15 pound backpack for 5-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Joshua Tree tour a solitude 2. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time.
Utah is the only state we are based in that charges sales tax to outfitters and guides. The sales tax is based on the St. George, UT municipality rates, which are adjusted occasionally but are in the 6-7% range. For all of our hiking and backpacking tours that originate from our St. George, Utah base (Utah, Joshua Tree and Death Valley trips), the sales tax will be applied automatically to your payments. Feel free to call us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) with any questions!
PRIVATE TRIPS
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
PRIVATE RATES FOR THIS TRIP
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 2
- 4 People: Rate x 1.5
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
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Minimum 2 Guests
MINIMUM OF 2 GUESTS
If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately.
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ITINERARY
Day 1
- Shuttle: 4-hour drive
- Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,200 feet
Our four-day Joshua Tree Autocamp Tour begins with your morning pickup at the Tuscany Inn and Suites in Las Vegas, Nevada. Leaving the bustle of the city behind, we’ll enter the other-worldly landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park. At times driving past the “forests” of Joshua Trees can feel more like the African savannah than the Mojave Desert.
Our hike today is to the summit of Ryan Mountain. At first wrapping our way around its base, we’ll then ascend as piles of boulders shrink below us, becoming like distant drip sand castles. The stunning 360-degree summit vista is reminiscent of something Salvador Dali might have painted – granite rock piles seem to melt into the surrounding plateau while otherworldly Joshua trees spread out in the broad valley bottoms, forking and sprouting at odd angles. Having finished our first hike, we’ll descend victoriously back to the trailhead for a 30-minute shuttle to our accommodations.
After cleaning up, we’ll reconvene for a delicious first dinner together.
Day 2
- Drive Time: 60 minutes
- Hiking Mileage: 7-10 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,000 feet
Today we’ll rise with the sun to share in a wonderful breakfast. Our first stop will be at the charmingly unique Teddy Bear Cholla Garden, where we’ll stroll among a family of deceptively inviting cacti. Dropping down through an ecological transition zone where the lower Colorado Sonoran Desert meets the Mojave, we’ll make our way to our main hike for the day: The Lost Palms Oasis.
Sustained by water seeping up through fault lines, five oases can be found within Joshua Tree National Park. Today we’ll visit two! Beginning at Cottonwood Spring Oasis, former home to the Cahuilla Indians, we’ll meander our way over arroyos dotted with ocotillo and through sandy smoketree washes to reach at last the largest group of California Fan Palms in the park. After a delicious lunch in this remote desert oasis, we’ll wind our way back to the trailhead, soaking in views to the south of California’s largest lake, the Salton Sea.
Day 3
- Drive Time: 30 minutes
- Hiking Mileage: 5-10 miles
- Elevation Change: 600+ feet
Perhaps already awakened by a dawn song of coyotes, you may decide to indulge yourself in rising just before breakfast today. Soaking in the sight of the desert mountains silhouetted against the break of day, or enjoying a walk around the Autocamp property to greet the morning is an experience you’ll not soon forget.
Our first hike today will loop us through Barker Dam. This valley is rich with petroglyphs, bouldering problems and tall tales from the days of gold mining and cattlemen, as well as lush with plant life thanks to the precious reservoir of water.
We’ll then embark on a journey into another portion of the famed Wonderland of Rocks: The Maze. This trail will weave us through a jungle of spires, granite monoliths and delusionary rock formations, opening up to tantalize us with breathtaking views of the National Park. Returning back to Autocamp, we’ll enjoy one last evening of fine dining, good company, and a campfire beneath the desert sky.
Day 4
- Hiking Mileage: 4+ miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 600 feet
- Shuttle: 4-hour drive
Upon filling our bellies with another tasty spread of breakfast and hot drinks, we’ll check out of our accommodations and head off for one last day of exploration.
We’ll begin our excursion in Hidden Valley, a favorite destination for climbers and hikers alike. Long valued for its diverse flora and protection from the elements, this microcosm is a historically significant ecological haven. We’ll then make our way into a new portion of the park where, conditions permitting, we’ll scramble through one or more of Indian Cove’s finest remote hollows.
After soaking in the astounding landscape and enjoying one last scrumptious lunch together, we’ll bid farewell to any of our group members departing directly from the Park. We’ll then embark on the scenic drive back to Las Vegas and return you to your hotel for an evening of relaxation and much-deserved showers.
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- 3 nights of lodging
- Use of trekking poles and a backpack
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- Roundtrip transportation from Las Vegas to Joshua Tree and back
- Entrance fees and national park permits
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
- Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Joshua Tree National Park
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
This Joshua Tree hiking tour features a combination of restaurant meals and meals prepared by your guide.
Your guide will prepare some breakfasts and all lunches for the trip. For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables. In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware sleeping bags
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
This trip originates at Tuscany Suites and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Your guide will be in contact approximately 10 days before the trip start date to coordinate the pre-trip orientation, which will be at 5:00 PM at a hotel in Las Vegas. Your guide will then pick you up at your hotel the next morning for transport to the trailhead. For Private Death Valley Tours your guide will meet you at your hotel in Las Vegas at an agreed upon time.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Las Vegas
Las Vegas’ McCarran Airport is one of the most easily accessed destinations in the country. Many major cities in the United States and internationally offer direct flights into Las Vegas. A company named Airline Shuttle (1-888-554-1156) can help you with economic transport to most hotels. Taxi cabs run about $40 to downtown, and the city is also Uber- and Lyft-friendly.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 6 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day no later than 7 PM.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Weather in Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park is a desert environment, and an exceptional winter destination. See below for average summer temperatures in Joshua Tree:
Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| November | 69° | 41° |
| December | 60° | 35° |
| January | 62° | 37° |
| February | 64° | 39° |
| March | 71° | 42° |
Accommodations
Autocamp Joshua Tree
3 NIGHTS
Autocamp’s wonderfully unique lodging experience features deluxe Airstreams with spa-inspired bathrooms and chic interiors. Each unit has a private patio and campfire area. The Autocamp Joshua Tree clubhouse is a modern facility with public areas to relax, catch up on emails or enjoy food and drinks.
*These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used
Trip Reviews
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Wendy W
Amazing!
Our trip to JOSHUA TREE with Samantha was amazing! She took such great care of us, the food was absolutely delicious, and we learned so much from Sam! We look forward to many future trips with Wildland and hopefully Samantha! Thanks so much for sharing your passion and knowledge with us and keeping us very well fed, it was a truly memorable trip!
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