Joshua Tree National Park Driving Tour
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Joshua Tree National Park Driving Tour
By Big Wheel Tours
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 6-99, max of 20 per group
Duration: 5h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- Bottled water
- Live commentary on board
- Driver/guide
- Professional guide
- Snacks
What's not included- Gratuities
- Entrance fee to Joshua Tree National Park is $15 per person starting January 1, 2025
- Start:
- Morton's The Steakhouse, 74-880 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USAIn the Ralph's Grocery Store shopping center on the corner of Cook Street and Country Club Drive in Palm Desert.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3351P7- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately (may be 15-20 degrees cooler in the park)
- Most travellers can participate
- Age limit of 6 years old
- Do you have any physical limitations or food allergies we should be aware of?
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3351P7
From
â‚ą19,449.09
per adult
Select date and travellers
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- 74-880 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USAIn the Ralph's Grocery Store shopping center on the corner of Cook Street and Country Club Drive in Palm Desert.
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- johnwA6877RI0 contributionsThe experience starts with a drive by captain Ron who explained the trip and what to expect.This trip was amazing! Captain Ron is very knowledgeable and his explanations of the local geology were fascinating and really made this trip complete. The ride was easy as it was slightly downhill the whole way- I barely had to pedal.Written 24 January 2025
- michaelzgrabik0 contributionsCaptain Ron was an awesome guide!My wife and I are frequent travelers and we both agreed that this was one of our best activities ever. The reason for this was our guide Captain Ron! He was amazing! He was very knowledgeable and also provided us with some of his own photos of wildlife and scenery. He was extremely engaging and made the tour intimate and fun. The e-bikes made the canyon climb easy, and the hike through the Palm oasis was awesome. Captain Ron was like a member of the family. The bike and hike will remain a great memory.Written 23 January 2025
- Relax7409230 contributionsMust Do Experience!Incredible experience! One we will never forget. Jeff, our driver, was knowledgeable , very experienced, and made our trip so much fun with his outgoing personality! Highly recommend.Written 23 January 2025
- alandinal0 contributionsTerrific trip! Excellent guide!Isabel did a wonderful job of tailoring the trip to our needs. She was very knowledgeable regarding geology, history, & botany. All four family members on the tour gave her the highest possible rating.Written 21 January 2025
- AmosRedux0 contributionsEasy biking, great visuals, good informationCaptain Ron was our guide. He provided us with good bikes, good service, water, and snacks. Most importantly, he provided us with good information about the geology and history of the area. This tour was well worth our time and money.Written 21 January 2025
- 92Nan20150 contributionsFantastic afternoon!Our tour guide Ron was wonderful! He was very informative, provided entertaining stories and made sure we were all comfortable. The bike ride was very easy. We rode down a slight hill but the peddling when required was not strenuous. The surrounding landscape was incredible! Such a variety of plants and rock formations and Ron was great at explaining so much to us along the way. We would highly recommend this tour!Written 19 January 2025
- Sandy M0 contributionsEasy Ride - Very InterestingEasy ride down the canyon. Very interesting formations as you bike down. Our guide Ron did a great job explaining everything.Written 15 January 2025
- Suzanne S0 contributionsBest Bike and hike tour!We loved this bike tour led by Ron of Big Wheels Bike in Palm Springs! We are a group of seniors who all enjoy biking. This tour does not disappoint! First you ride through several neighborhoods with interesting architecture. All bikers wear audio sets and the guide narrates interesting facts and is very good about making sure bikers remain safe in traffic. The highlight was the ride into Indian canyons and taking the hike around the “oasis”. This was a beautiful area, even without plants in bloom! Ron has a wealth of knowledge about the indigenous Indians who occupied the area, and still own it. He also had a wealth of information on geology, plantlike, and wildlife. I would definitely recommend this activity if you enjoy biking, hiking and learning about flora and fauna and the Indians who called this canyon home!Written 12 January 2025
- chubberdunk0 contributionsHighly recommend!Ben was great! Personable, patient, and a wealth of information. We got to see so much in just a few hours, and loved getting a chance to hit some trails and get our boots dirty. Highly recommend!Written 10 January 2025
- Cgrtravel0 contributionsLoved Off Road tour with Big Wheel ToursMy husband and my guide was Ben who was fantastic. He provided us with an exciting backroad ride into Joshua Tree and taught us about the area, fauna, landforms. I highly recommend that you choose Big Wheel tours for your JT adventure and ask for Ben! It was very clear where to meet up in Palm Desert, the staff is very responsive to questions. Take a warm jacket as it can be chilly either early morning or later after the sun sets.Written 7 January 2025
- deejthedog0 contributionsBrilliant tour.What a fantastic bike tour. Kolin was an amazing guide and you can see how much he loves Palm Springs and the architecture. He is so knowledgeable and passionate about his tour and relayed incredible stories about each celebrity and the houses. Kolin is the ultimate guide, he's so friendly, has snacks and water and judged our riding capabilities well. We were lucky, as we were the only participants on the tour, so Kolin catered to our needs and we were able to see a lot of Palm Springs during our ride. We love to do riding tours in every city we visit and this tour was brilliant. I'd certainly recommend the tour to anyone from accomplished riders to novices. Thanks again Kolin, you were amazing.Written 5 January 2025
- croy1500 contributionsWorth it.Great way to see Joshua Tree in a short period of time. Tour was both fun and informative. Our tour guide Jeff was great and took some amazing photos for our family.Written 5 January 2025
- barriem20180 contributionsPerfect bike/hike!The bike/hike was wonderful! Our guide was very informative! We thought the bike was interesting (and good exercise) and the hike was the perfect length and beautiful! Thank you again!Written 4 January 2025
- Coastal_Carol0 contributionsSuper Fun Bike TourIt was our first trip to Palm Springs and traveling by bike to see the town and the neighborhoods was thoroughly enjoyable. But what made it most enjoyable was our tour guide, Kolin S. He was friendly, engaging, full of knowledge about the celebrities, and the architecture that we rode by. Kolin provided us with water, plenty of snacks, insight, history, and even a little wisdom about life in general. Thanks Kolin for a lovely morning together.Written 2 January 2025
- K1876BSmarier0 contributionsThe Road Less TakenWhen you only have one day, this is how to see Joshua Tree. Our guide was knowledgeable and fun. We were able to learn and see a lot on this tour than we would have been able to do on our own. Accommodating to all ages and enthusiast levels, I highly recommend this tour. Fond memories were made here. Thanks, Ben! Happy New Year.Written 2 January 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
166 reviews
Excellent
156
Very good
7
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2
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1
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0
Freedom310729
Prunedale, CA1 contribution
Apr 2021
“Big Wheel Tours” provided a very enjoyable half day tour. Our guide, Ron, was informative and well versed on the area and it’s vegetation and geology. He was just a great guy to spend half a day with. If we lived closer I would make a point of catching up with him and doing a few more tours or catch a beer with. He made the trip fun, interesting and unforgettable. Just a great guy.
The tour itself was a great way to explore Joshua Tree National Park. We had visited by car before but this was much more than a stop and read something trip. First, we rode in a four door Jeep. It was in great shape and the air conditioning worked well when it later got very hot. The road/trail was 3/4 partially paved or just a bumpy sand road through the desert. The other 1/4 was rocky, bumpy and in a few places challenging, even in four wheel drive. Ron was a careful driver who has the driving skills necessary to keep everyone comfortable and engaged.
The combination of traveling through the inner parts of the park where few people get to go, the off road challenges, the information shared and having Ron as a guide made for a very wonderful experience and we would recommend Big Wheel Tours to anyone spending some time in the Palm Springs area.
The tour itself was a great way to explore Joshua Tree National Park. We had visited by car before but this was much more than a stop and read something trip. First, we rode in a four door Jeep. It was in great shape and the air conditioning worked well when it later got very hot. The road/trail was 3/4 partially paved or just a bumpy sand road through the desert. The other 1/4 was rocky, bumpy and in a few places challenging, even in four wheel drive. Ron was a careful driver who has the driving skills necessary to keep everyone comfortable and engaged.
The combination of traveling through the inner parts of the park where few people get to go, the off road challenges, the information shared and having Ron as a guide made for a very wonderful experience and we would recommend Big Wheel Tours to anyone spending some time in the Palm Springs area.
Written 18 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for the very kind review. Ron says look him up for a beer next time!
Written 19 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Charles C. D.
Philadelphia, PA11 contributions
As with most places or works of art that one hears about all of the time, like Mt. Rushmore and Michelangelo’s David, this is a destination that needs to be seen in person to get the full impact. Ben was a great tour guide , and made sure that we got a fill range of views and different aspects of the park. Loved this tour, and would do it again. Might try the Jeep tour next time, for a different experience.
And on a slightly different note, Evan was very accommodating to my changing schedule. I was supposed to be in PS in March, 2020, but we all know how that went. Then I rebooked in March, 2021, but had to push that to May. Each time, Evan was willing to flip the tours without a complaint. I appreciated his flexibility during the pandemic, and would book again with Big Wheels in a heartbeat.
And on a slightly different note, Evan was very accommodating to my changing schedule. I was supposed to be in PS in March, 2020, but we all know how that went. Then I rebooked in March, 2021, but had to push that to May. Each time, Evan was willing to flip the tours without a complaint. I appreciated his flexibility during the pandemic, and would book again with Big Wheels in a heartbeat.
Written 30 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Chuck! So glad that we were able to finally hookup after a year of covid craziness!
Written 1 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kamran M
1 contribution
Nov 2021 • Friends
The tour of Joshua Tree was excellent! There were a lot of beautiful sights like natural rock formations, a vast valley, the sun setting behind the mountains, and of course the seemingly endless joshua trees. Our driver Isabel was very informative and knew a lot of interesting facts about the plants, animals and geology within the park, and was a great driver even when met with tricky terrain. Overall, it was a splendid experience that I would gladly recommend to anyone who appreciates nature, exploring, or simply wants to get away from it all.
Written 28 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much! I bet Isabel could have spoken for another 8 hours about Joshua Tree National Park...she is a great guide!
Written 14 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Becky M
3 contributions
Jan 2022
What an amazing National Park and Kolin was an awesome, knowledgeable guide as he pointed out the main highlights of the park. He told stories about the history, culture and landscape of the Palm Springs area, as well as the animals, plants, trees and rocks native to Joshua Tree National Park. Kolin was helpful in taking pictures and we did a couple of walks on the tour, one at Keys View! Joshua Tree National Park is full of breathtaking, amazing views and landscapes. Kolin had snacks and water for everyone which was very much appreciated. He was also a safe and attentive driver. A fun-filled adventure I will never forget.
Written 17 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much! What a great combination....Kolin is a terrific, professional guide and Joshua Tree National Park is a breathtaking landscape.
Written 16 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
tsarchasm
Portland, OR87 contributions
Jan 2023
This adventure was the highlight of our mini-break from winter in the Pacific Northwest. Jurassic Jeff was communicative and prompt at our meet up. His knowledge of the area at large was a bonus. We had spent a few days exploring the region and Jeff put it all into perspective with what we would experience on our tour of Joshua Tree. Jeff customized our experience with our preferences. His level of expertise and experience provided the most extensive menu of features and sights in Joshua Tree. Three from Column A and 2 from Column B. The running commentary was continuous, every part of that park has a story to tell and Jeff was the best person to tell it. My partner is a geology buff and we wanted to focus on that aspect of the park, Jeff delivered beyond expectation. From flora, fauna and physical features, Jeff sounded less like a college professor and more like the host of a Discovery Channel documentary. Every US National Park should have such a knowledgable guide. We are blessed in this country to have these national parks and I highly encourage everyone to make the visit. You'll never forget it.
Written 19 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful review! We're so glad you had a great time in Joshua Tree with Jeff! We hope to see you for more tours soon!
Written 20 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David S
New York City, NY50 contributions
Mar 2022
This was an excellent experience and well worth the cost as I was provided with a tour that included the major highlights of the park. My tour guide, Ben, was well informed about the flora, landscape and enhanced the experience greatly. This is rather useful if you want to learn about Joshua Tree
Written 4 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you David! Our guides really do bring the park to life with their enthusiasm and knowledge. We are proud to have Ben on our team
Written 25 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kirsten D
1 contribution
Nov 2021
Jeff, our guide, was awesome! Really enjoyed Hidden Valley and capping off the drive with sunset at Keys View. Jeff's knowledge and custom-tailoring the drive to the requests of his guests was wonderful. Nice work!
Written 16 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much!
Written 17 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
karen s
Boucherville, Canada2 contributions
Jan 2023
Bruce, our driver and guide was super knowledgeable and friendly. He has a great sense of humor and was able to answer all of our questions. We were a group of 4 and a group of 3, therefore 7 paying customers. The 4 of us found it expensive for what we got. The price point should be below 200.00$ each at about 180.00. We hardly got out of the van and we drove by skull rock. He asked if we wanted to get out but it was awkward because I didn’t want to be the only person who said yes. A little 10-15 minute walk would have made the experience a lot more memorable. It was rather disappointing.
Written 31 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there! We're sorry your trip ended up being disappointing. Each guest is more than welcome to ask to stop whenever they see something they want to stop for. You're also able to request to your guide upon arrival for the tour if you have a desire to especially walk around and do a hike so they can incorporate that. We hope you'll do another tour with us again to make your experience even better next time!
Written 1 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
swimteammom01
Washington9 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
We had a pleasure of having Isabel as our tour guide. She was a wealth of knowledge and we learned a lot from her while exploring the park. She was very accommodating from time we boarded the tour vehicle until we returned to our condo. She offered complimentary water and snacks during the trip. We had a safe and fun experience. We highly recommend BIg Wheel Tours for exploring the park with ease and comfort. It was over 100 degrees F and the guided tour was surely nice to get to the popular spots in the park.
Written 1 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the kind words and glowing review! We definitely provide climate controlled vehicles so our guests can still get out and have fun all summer!
Written 8 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Barbara R
9 contributions
Feb 2020
We were in Palm Dessert for a week so took the opportunity for a day trip to the Joahua Tree National Park. We drove our rental car. We were enchanted and amazed by the Rocky mountain terrain surrounding the park, The cholla cartus garden, Skull Rock as well as the Jumbo rocks. We were there on a Thursday so there were enough places to park but it may be more difficult to find parking at some of the sights on busier days. All the rangers that we spoke with vere very helpful.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Even though it sounds like you didn't use our services we are glad that you enjoyed the park! If you would like to have one of our naturalist guides show you around the park on a future visit we would love to host you!
Written 9 April 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
On my tour it was not asked or required whether you are vaccinated. I brought my vaccine card just in case. But I think by signing up you agree that you are healthy and also aware that you will be around others. Masks were not required in the van but some wore one to feel more comfortable. Masks are required in the visitor center though. Have a fun trip!
Written 18 January 2022
Do they collect from Palm Springs hotels?
Written 20 November 2021
I know they pick up from Renaissance Esmerelda in Indian Wells based on personal experience. I imagine they pick up from other hotels as well. I recommend calling to confirm. They are very responsive.
Written 22 November 2021
Is it one couple per jeep or are there other people in the jeep? Are the drivers required to be vaccinated against Covid-19? Do the drivers wear masks while driving?
Written 2 October 2021
The van can easily handle 6 guests. It just depends on how many people sigh up for the tour. They have a 7am tour and a 1pm tour. Yes, they were masked at all times. Not sure about vac status.
Written 21 November 2021
We want a hiking tour do you have them during the week?
Written 21 February 2021
You have both van and jeep tours. Are the routes different, depending on the vehicle? Is it possible to specify which type of vehicle is preferred?
Thanks
Written 2 February 2019
Hello Friends,my wife And i we are planning a trip to LA, Will like to do a tour around Joshua tree Parking,can you tell us.
From wich Hotels can they pick us to to S
Start the tour. Is it posible from LA? Thanks
Written 20 September 2018
Hi, trying to decide which Tour to pick for Joshua Tree National Park, van or jeep.
Any suggestions greatly received.
Written 28 July 2018
What is the usual itinerary? Which entrance do you usually go through? Do you go by Keys Ranch?
Written 17 July 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.