California

Hiking the High Desert: Joshua Tree National Park

Program No. 20819RJ
Fulfill a dream and come to the Mojave Desert and Joshua Tree National Park, where you’ll hike amongst spectacular canyons, palm oases, towering boulders and a Joshua Tree forest.

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At a Glance

Hiking in Joshua Tree National Park and the desert surrounding Palm Springs is an opportunity not to be missed. Famous for the other-worldly Joshua Tree and geologic formations that attract elite rock climbers, the park is a desert lover’s paradise where the Sonoran and Mojave deserts meet. In the Palm Springs area hike to palm oases where water brings abundance and has created the largest density of California palm trees in the world. Ride the thrilling Palm Springs Aerial Tram for sweeping views of the Coachella Valley, the San Andreas fault zone and distant desert peaks.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Hiking up to 6.8 miles daily on varied terrain including sandy washes and rocky, established trails with loose footing; Some spots with passage of one person at a time; Some rock scrambling and use of hands required to navigate terrain and ladders; Elevation changes of 500-1,000 ft. on hikes; Seasonal shallow stream crossings and snow. Elevations of 4,500-8,500 feet. Participants will be required to carry a minimum of 2 -3 liter of water on hikes.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Learn about the unique natural history and human cultures of this desert region from expert naturalists.
  • Explore Joshua Tree National Park including the granitic maze known as the “Wonderland of Rocks.”
  • Hike the “Indian Canyons” in the Palm Springs area and explore San Jacinto State Park, accessed by the aerial tramway.

General Notes

Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Meals
12 Meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
3 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
Nov 03, 2024 - Nov 08, 2024
  • Nov 03, 2024 - Nov 08, 2024
  • Oct 27, 2024 - Nov 01, 2024
  • Nov 03, 2024 - Nov 08, 2024
  • Nov 08, 2024 - Nov 13, 2024
  • Feb 09, 2025 - Feb 14, 2025
  • Feb 16, 2025 - Feb 21, 2025
  • Feb 23, 2025 - Feb 28, 2025
  • Mar 02, 2025 - Mar 07, 2025
  • Mar 09, 2025 - Mar 14, 2025
  • Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 17, 2025
  • Oct 26, 2025 - Oct 31, 2025
  • Nov 02, 2025 - Nov 07, 2025
  • Nov 09, 2025 - Nov 14, 2025
5 nights
Palm Springs
Centered in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, surrounded by the natural beauty of the San Jacinto mountains and the energy and excitement of Palm Canyon Drive, the Hyatt Palm Springs sits at the crossroads of one of the most memorable vacation destinations in Southern California. The only all-suite hotel in the area, the Hyatt offers oversized rooms with separate living areas and furnished balconies, providing the perfect accommodations for leisure travelers, business travelers and families alike.
5 nights
Palm Springs
Centered in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, surrounded by the natural beauty of the San Jacinto mountains and the energy and excitement of Palm Canyon Drive, the Hyatt Palm Springs sits at the crossroads of one of the most memorable vacation destinations in Southern California. The only all-suite hotel in the area, the Hyatt offers oversized rooms with separate living areas and furnished balconies, providing the perfect accommodations for leisure travelers, business travelers and families alike.
5 nights
Palm Springs
Centered in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, surrounded by the natural beauty of the San Jacinto mountains and the energy and excitement of Palm Canyon Drive, the Hyatt Palm Springs sits at the crossroads of one of the most memorable vacation destinations in Southern California. The only all-suite hotel in the area, the Hyatt offers oversized rooms with separate living areas and furnished balconies, providing the perfect accommodations for leisure travelers, business travelers and families alike.
5 nights
Palm Springs
Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs combines the chic, mid-century Palm Springs aesthetic with Margaritaville’s casual-luxe island feel. Just minutes from downtown Palm Springs, the resort & spa includes 398 guest rooms, two resort pools, six dining outlets, the soothing St. Somewhere Spa (Palm Springs' largest resort spa), family-oriented programming, and more than 40,000 square feet of combined wedding, meeting, and event space. It's the perfect place for fun and escapism.
5 nights
Palm Springs
Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs combines the chic, mid-century Palm Springs aesthetic with Margaritaville’s casual-luxe island feel. Just minutes from downtown Palm Springs, the resort & spa includes 398 guest rooms, two resort pools, six dining outlets, the soothing St. Somewhere Spa (Palm Springs' largest resort spa), family-oriented programming, and more than 40,000 square feet of combined wedding, meeting, and event space. It's the perfect place for fun and escapism.
5 nights
Palm Springs
Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs combines the chic, mid-century Palm Springs aesthetic with Margaritaville’s casual-luxe island feel. Just minutes from downtown Palm Springs, the resort & spa includes 398 guest rooms, two resort pools, six dining outlets, the soothing St. Somewhere Spa (Palm Springs' largest resort spa), family-oriented programming, and more than 40,000 square feet of combined wedding, meeting, and event space. It's the perfect place for fun and escapism.
5 nights
Palm Springs
Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs combines the chic, mid-century Palm Springs aesthetic with Margaritaville’s casual-luxe island feel. Just minutes from downtown Palm Springs, the resort & spa includes 398 guest rooms, two resort pools, six dining outlets, the soothing St. Somewhere Spa (Palm Springs' largest resort spa), family-oriented programming, and more than 40,000 square feet of combined wedding, meeting, and event space. It's the perfect place for fun and escapism.
5 nights
Palm Springs
Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs combines the chic, mid-century Palm Springs aesthetic with Margaritaville’s casual-luxe island feel. Just minutes from downtown Palm Springs, the resort & spa includes 398 guest rooms, two resort pools, six dining outlets, the soothing St. Somewhere Spa (Palm Springs' largest resort spa), family-oriented programming, and more than 40,000 square feet of combined wedding, meeting, and event space. It's the perfect place for fun and escapism.
5 nights
Palm Springs
Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs combines the chic, mid-century Palm Springs aesthetic with Margaritaville’s casual-luxe island feel. Just minutes from downtown Palm Springs, the resort & spa includes 398 guest rooms, two resort pools, six dining outlets, the soothing St. Somewhere Spa (Palm Springs' largest resort spa), family-oriented programming, and more than 40,000 square feet of combined wedding, meeting, and event space. It's the perfect place for fun and escapism.
5 nights
Palm Springs
Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs combines the chic, mid-century Palm Springs aesthetic with Margaritaville’s casual-luxe island feel. Just minutes from downtown Palm Springs, the resort & spa includes 398 guest rooms, two resort pools, six dining outlets, the soothing St. Somewhere Spa (Palm Springs' largest resort spa), family-oriented programming, and more than 40,000 square feet of combined wedding, meeting, and event space. It's the perfect place for fun and escapism.
5 nights
Palm Springs
Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs combines the chic, mid-century Palm Springs aesthetic with Margaritaville’s casual-luxe island feel. Just minutes from downtown Palm Springs, the resort & spa includes 398 guest rooms, two resort pools, six dining outlets, the soothing St. Somewhere Spa (Palm Springs' largest resort spa), family-oriented programming, and more than 40,000 square feet of combined wedding, meeting, and event space. It's the perfect place for fun and escapism.
5 nights
Palm Springs
Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs combines the chic, mid-century Palm Springs aesthetic with Margaritaville’s casual-luxe island feel. Just minutes from downtown Palm Springs, the resort & spa includes 398 guest rooms, two resort pools, six dining outlets, the soothing St. Somewhere Spa (Palm Springs' largest resort spa), family-oriented programming, and more than 40,000 square feet of combined wedding, meeting, and event space. It's the perfect place for fun and escapism.





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