Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour in Joshua Tree National Park

Duration15h - 16h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Download the GuideAlong self-guided audio tour and you'll discover more on your Joshua Tree National Park road trip. Hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips, and directions play automatically, all based on your location.

You'll be guided to all of the park's famous highlights as well as lesser-known gems including a viewpoint at 5,185 feet with views over the entire Coachella Valley, a garden filled with hundreds of teddy bear cacti, and rock formations resembling a giant skull and a 30-foot granite arch.

Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you.

- Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location.
- Travel at your own pace
- Tour offline using GPS, no cell service or WiFi needed
- Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use
- Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates.
- Like having a tour guide along for the drive

Purchase one tour per vehicle.

What's included

Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
Pre-recorded audio commentary (downloadable or streamable)
This is a GPS-powered, self-guided audio tour that works through an app
Lifetime access (no expiration) with Customer support (chat/email)
Suggested walking/driving itinerary with stop-by-stop directions
This tour is NOT an entrance ticket to the park
Offline GPS-enabled route map
NO in-person guide or physical equipment (bring your own device & headphones)

Park Fees Not Included

What to expect

Joshua Tree National Park
8h

Named for the twisted, spiky trees, there's so much more to see in this popular California national park with its rugged rock formations, breathtaking views, a wide variety of wildlife, and stark desert landscapes.

As the audio guides play commentary based on your GPS location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route to match your interests and schedule.
Arch Rock Nature Trail
1h

The 30-foot granite Arch Rock is an Instagrammable location in Joshua Tree National Park. Take a short hike to Arch Rock to see the natural arch within the granite formations surrounding White Tank Campground.

Though it's spectacular at any time of day, try arriving around sunset for one of the park’s iconic photo-ops: a gorgeous thirty-foot span of granite beneath a pastel-hued sky. It’s a mere 1.4-mile out-and-back hike to the arch, but we recommend you tack on a second formation: Heart Rock. Although a bit lopsided, this formation really does resemble its name, and it's an understandably popular place to snap a photo with a loved one.
Barker Dam Trail
1h

Barker Dam is a natural basin that was walled in 1902 to improve water storage for cattle ranchers - and it has fantastic scenery, short interpretative nature trails, and historical significance.

The Barker Dam trail is a 1.3-mile nature loop, with some easy scrambling and interpretive panels. It passes the southern edge of the backcountry area known as the Wonderland of Rocks. It's not quite a true dam, it is actually a natural basin that was walled in in 1902 to improve water storage for cattle ranchers. Either way - it's quite a pretty sight.
Cholla Cactus Garden
1h

The Cholla Cactus Garden is one of the most surreal sights in Joshua Tree National Park, with hundreds of furry-looking cacti, gleaming silver and gold in the day's fading light.

You won’t want to miss the surreal sight of hundreds of teddy bear cacti gleaming softly in the sunlight. To be sure, while they may look fuzzy from a distance, these plants are most assuredly not related to teddy bears: their furry appearance comes from the thicket of spines that cover the stems. Beware - though they are pretty to look at, you really don't want to touch them, especially accidentally.
Hall of Horrors
1h

Hall of Horrors is Hall of Horrors is a popular location with several rock formations that can be explored on dirt paths and is a popular destination for scrambling and rock climbing. This area is also surrounded by mountains and provides many scenic views.

The namesake hall is a fun photo op for those comfortable with a little rock scrambling and is reached by circling around the right side of the first formation you see. The narrow dark corridor, or hall, is hidden in the second formation back from the road, it does require some exploration and a sense of adventure to find - but it's worthwhile.
Hidden Valley
1h

Hidden Valley Nature Trail is an easy one-mile loop through Hidden Valley on a dirt and rock trail. This is a popular hike through a rock-enclosed valley surrounded by unique rock formations.

A one-mile loop guides visitors through this small valley encircled by giant buttresses and granite domes. It was isolated enough to be used as a hideout for the McHaney Gang, outlaws, and cattle rustlers who were active in the 1870s and '80s.
Keys View
1h

Keys View is a popular viewpoint perched on the crest of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, that provides panoramic views of the Coachella Valley.

A ten-minute side-trip drive climbs up to an elevation of 5,185 feet, and it's the highest road in the park. From here you’ll have views of the entire Coachella Valley, from the San Andreas Fault and distant Salton Sea to Palm Springs and the snowcapped peaks of San Jacinto Peak and Mount San Gorgonio. A terrific view not to be missed.
Skull Rock
1h

Skull Rock is a popular stop in the park, to see a rock that looks like a huge skull.

As more rock eroded, more water accumulated, leading to more erosion until, as time passed, two hollowed-out eye sockets formed and the rock began to resemble a skull. From different angles and when the sun is shining at different levels, the skull changes its appearance and mood.
Split Rock
1h

Split Rock is a gigantic boulder that's been split in two with a good short hike to the rock and a lovely picnic area to stop at. Imagine the forces that caused the boulder to split!

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

From Palm Springs, I recommend driving north on Hwy 62 and entering through the town of Joshua Tree, or join anywhere along the route. Search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” download ahead, then preview the route in the GuideAlong app.

Meeting point

From Las Vegas, take I-15 and Hwy 247 toward Joshua Tree, or join anywhere along the route. Audio begins on Hwy 247 about 15 minutes before the Hwy 62 junction in Yucca Valley. Search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” download ahead, then preview the route in the GuideAlong app.

Meeting point

From Phoenix, start westbound on I-10, or join anywhere along the route. Audio starts after Exit 194 for the south entrance, or on Hwy 62/Amboy Rd if entering via 29 Palms from the west. Search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” download ahead, then preview the route in the GuideAlong app.

Meeting point

Includes an app based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide. Self-start the tour on I-10 East or join anywhere on the route. Audio starts just after Exit 104. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” download it, and preview the route before arrival.

End point

Commentary plays automatically based on your location, so you have flexibility on where and when you want to start and end your tour anywhere along the tour route.

Additional information

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.7 (27)