Backroads Hummer H2 Tour

Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour. Rated 4.7 across 595 reviews. Runs 3 to 5 hours. From $159.

Overview

This half-day outing from the Palm Springs Art Museum covers Joshua Tree National Park in roughly three to five hours, with a guide who handles the driving, the commentary and the route. The group is capped at nine travellers, and the tour only runs once at least four people have booked. General park admission is part of the package, so there is no separate entry line to deal with on the day.

The route strings together several of the park's best-known spots. Guests get time at Cap Rock, Intersection Rock, Barker Dam and Keys View, with short walks at each and longer stretches riding between them in an air-conditioned vehicle. Along the way the guide covers the geology of the San Andreas Fault, the forces that shaped the rock formations, and stories of the Cahuilla people who have long lived in this region. Reviews repeatedly single out the guides' depth of knowledge.

The walking is mild, though the vehicle itself is not wheelchair accessible. Snacks and bottled water are provided; sunscreen and gratuity are not.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Palm Springs Art MuseumThe tour departs from the Palm Springs Art Museum. One reviewer mentions the drive from Palm Springs to the park takes about an hour each way.
2. Joshua Tree National ParkThe main portion of the tour spends about 3 hours inside the park, with general admission included in the booking.
3. Cap Rock TrailA stop of 30 minutes at Cap Rock, with free admission, for a short walk among the rock formations.
4. Intersection RockA 15-minute stop with admission included.
5. Barker Dam TrailA 45-minute stop on the Barker Dam Trail, free to enter, giving the longest walking stretch of the day.
6. Keys ViewA 15-minute stop at Keys View, free to enter, with a lookout over the desert floor and the San Andreas Fault area.
7. Return to Palm SpringsThe tour returns to the meeting point, with the return drive taking about an hour per reviewer accounts.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day goes, from desert temperatures to the small-group setting.

• Dress for the desert. The listing advises light clothes in summer and layers in winter, since the high desert runs 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the low desert. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. One summer reviewer reported temperatures above 100 degrees and suggested bringing a hat and sun protection, which is not supplied.
• Mild walking pace. Stops involve short walks rather than hikes, and one reviewer described the trails as very mild and suitable for young kids and older travellers. Most of the day is spent in the vehicle moving between stops.
• Small group feel. The tour runs with a maximum of nine travellers and a minimum of four. Several reviewers mention friendly, personable guides who answer questions. Asking questions is worth it, as one reviewer noted the guide's elaborations made the day more interesting.
• Food and drink. Bottled water and a snack are provided. Reviewers describe the snack as a granola bar and the water as cold, which they appreciated in the heat. Anything beyond that, including sunscreen, should be brought along.
• Air-conditioned ride. Transport is in an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters on hot days in the desert. The vehicle is not wheelchair accessible, though pushchairs can be accommodated.
• Ask and engage. Reviewers consistently praise the guides' knowledge of the park's history, geology, flora and fauna. The commentary is the main value over visiting independently, as multiple reviewers said they learned far more than they would have on their own.

Common issues. The tour requires a minimum of four passengers and can be cancelled after confirmation if numbers are not met, in which case travellers are offered an alternative or a full refund; one reviewer reported organisational problems with reservations before their trip. Weather can also force a cancellation, with a different date or a refund offered. The vehicle is not wheelchair accessible. The stop at each site is fairly short, and the long drives to and from Palm Springs take up a meaningful part of the total duration.

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