Joshua Tree National Park tours & holidays

The best time to visit Joshua Tree is in spring, winter and autumn when the weather is favourable and the skies are clear. Usually, summer is a great time for national parks, but it can get suuuper hot in the desert, so it’s only recommended to go during that time if you’re experienced with desert conditions.  

Spring and autumn see mild, comfortable daytime temps that are great for hitting the trails. Spring can get pretty windy but not enough to damper the day. Summer is the hottest time of the year with scorching temps hitting above 38°C. Winter brings much cooler days with daily temperatures hovering around 15°C and nights dropping below freezing. Higher elevations can sometimes see a dusting of snow, but it doesn’t stick around for long.  

You do need a car to visit Joshua Tree because there’s no internal shuttle service or public transit system within the park. If you travel with us, we’ll take care of all the transportation so you don’t have to worry about that. 

The park costs USD 35 per car to enter, but if you are visiting multiple parks, the best way is to get a national parks annual pass which is USD 80 for residents and works for all parks in the USA for a year. The non-resident annual pass is currently USD 250, but if you’re joining an Intrepid trip, your entry fees are taken care of. See more information about entry fees below.   

Absolutely! There are hikes throughout the park for all levels and abilities, from easy, scenic strolls to strenuous multi-day treks. If you’re curious about which hikes best suit you, lean on your local leader for recommendations and they’ll steer you in the right direction. 

A reusable water bottle! Seriously, you’ll need water – it's the desert. Aside from that, you should pack comfortable walking shoes, a warm layer to put on in the evenings, long, lightweight layers for sun protection (like a sun shirt), sunscreen, a brimmed hat, a bandana in case it gets dusty, and a daypack to carry your stuff.  

Yes, Joshua Tree charges a fee for visitors entering the park. For travellers on an Intrepid trip, vehicle entrance fees and required permits are covered, but international visitors will need to pay additional nonresident entrance fees. Your local leader will help you understand the fees that apply to your trip and help you choose the best-value option for your itinerary and group. 

Whether you’re coming from far away or you call the USA home, national park tours bring you deeper into the landscapes through storytelling, local know-how and the chance to veer off the main tourist trails. With a local leader, you’ll have all the logistics handled, including permits, entrance fees and transportation, so you can easily visit multiple places. Plus, they’ll bring you to their favourite spots for lesser-known experiences you won’t find in a travel guide. And when it comes to travelling with a small group of like-minded adventure buddies, there’s always safety (and more fun!) in numbers.  

We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.

Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.