Joshua Tree & Death Valley
Inn-Based Hiking Tour
Hotels Included
|Fresh Meals Prepared Daily
|Professional Wilderness Guides
Joshua Tree & Death Valley
Inn-Based Hiking Tour
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From:
$3800 (6 day)
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Type:
Inn-Based Hiking Tour
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Length:
6 days
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Difficulty:
Moderate
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Mileage:
36 miles
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Elevation change:
500 – 2000 Ft/Day
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Season:
Winter
Adventure Details
This 6-day journey explores the best of Joshua Tree and Death Valley. Begin in Joshua Tree’s high desert with hikes to Lost Palm Oasis, the Cholla Cactus Garden, and iconic formations like Arch Rock, Barker Dam, and The Wonderland of Rocks. Then descend into Death Valley’s striking low desert landscape, where an early morning hike at Zabriskie Point and sunset at Badwater Basin frame adventures through Golden Canyon, up Mount Perry, and into Mosaic Canyon. Comfortable stays at local inns make this the perfect mix of rugged adventure, desert beauty, and relaxation.
Adventure Itinerary
Day 1: Cottonwood Spring, Lost Palms Oasis, and Arch Rock
Milage: ~6 miles total hiking
Elevation Gain: ~600 ft
Experience: Depart Phoenix early for the drive to Joshua Tree National Park, entering through the southern Cottonwood entrance. Our first hike takes us from Cottonwood Spring to the lush Lost Palm Oasis, where towering California fan palms thrive in the desert heat. We’ll pause at the Cholla Cactus Garden for a short loop among thousands of fuzzy-looking chollas before finishing the day with a visit to Arch Rock, a graceful natural arch framed by massive granite boulders.
Highlights: Towering palm oasis, shimmering cholla cactus at golden hour, and one of Joshua Tree’s most photogenic rock formations.
Day 2: Barker Dam & The Maze Loop
Milage: ~8 miles total hiking
Elevation Gain: ~500 ft
Experience: Begin the day with the Barker Dam Loop, where a historic water reservoir attracts bighorn sheep and offers a glimpse of ancient Native American petroglyphs. We’ll then venture onto The Maze Loop, a network of trails weaving through massive rock outcrops and sandy washes. Optional side hikes allow us to explore even deeper into this maze-like landscape.
Highlights: Petroglyph panels, wildlife sightings, and twisting desert trails among sculpted stone.
Day 3: Hidden Valley to Indian Cove, Transfer to Death Valley
Milage: ~4 miles total hiking
Elevation Gain: minimal
Experience: Explore the Hidden Valley Nature Loop, a natural rock-enclosed meadow steeped in Old West lore. We then head to Indian Cove, where giant monzogranite formations rise from the desert floor, and stroll Indian Cove to learn more about the plants and wildlife of this unique area. In the afternoon, we transfer to Death Valley National Park and check into our hotel for the evening.
Highlights: Secluded rock garden landscapes, rich desert ecology, and the transition from Joshua Tree’s high desert to Death Valley’s low desert.
Day 4: Zabriskie Point & Badwater Basin Sunset
Milage: ~5 miles total hiking
Elevation Gain: ~500 ft
Experience: Witness the sunrise from Zabriskie Point, where a golden maze of badlands stretches to the Panamint Range. We’ll hike the Golden Canyon Loop, including a side trip to the dramatic Red Cathedral, a cliff face that glows deep crimson in the sun. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a sunset dinner at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, as the salt flats shimmer under fading light.
Highlights: Colorful canyon hiking and a dinner in one of the most surreal landscapes on Earth.
Day 5: Mount Perry via Dante’s Ridge
Milage: ~9 miles total hiking
Elevation Gain: ~2,000 ft
Experience: From the lofty viewpoint of Dante’s Ridge, we’ll follow a rugged trail to the summit of Mount Perry. The route offers uninterrupted views over Death Valley’s vast salt flats, the Black Mountains, and the distant Sierra Nevada. This is one of Death Valley’s most scenic hikes, combining high-desert ridgeline walking with panoramic vistas in every direction.
Highlights: 360-degree views, desert solitude, and one of the park’s best treks.
Day 6: Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes & Mosaic Canyon
Distance: ~4 miles total hiking
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Experience: Begin with a walk among the towering Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, where the patterns of wind and light create endless photographic opportunities. Next, venture into Mosaic Canyon, a polished marble slot canyon with walls of multicolored breccia. After lunch, we transfer to Las Vegas for the conclusion of our desert adventure.
Pickup Locations
Phoenix, AZ
What to Bring
You will be provided with a packing list once you have booked the tour.
January
February
March
Don't see a tour date that works for you?
We may still be able to schedule additional tour dates that fall within your travel window.
Please call our office to inquire at 480-247-9266.