Included: Medically trained, experienced naturalist guides with extensive knowledge of the area 4-day beginner camping trip for hiking in Joshua Tree National Park (hiking and interpretive tours) Hands-on training to get comfortable camping 3 nights of camping in Joshua Tree National Park (double occupancy) Tent and sleeping pad Group camp equipment All meals as outlined in the itinerary (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners) Round-trip airport transfers from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Park entry fees Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout): Sleeping bag rental Not included: Flights to and from Los Angeles Lunch on Day 1 Sleeping bag — available to rent Personal camping gear (see the packing list below) Anything not mentioned above Guide gratuities — optional Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout

How fit do I need to be?

In order to join this trip for hiking in Joshua Tree, basic fitness is required , and no previous camping experience is needed. The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 8 miles (12.9 km), with moderate elevation gain . Hiking days usually include about 6 total hours on the trail , covering anywhere from 5–8 miles (8–12.9 km). The trip is suitable for beginners and novice hikers looking to build community. Spring and fall are mild in the desert, with daytime highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s°F (around 25–29°C). Evenings can get quite cold, dropping to the mid to upper 40s°F (around 7–9°C), so be prepared for a wide range of temperatures. Rain is uncommon. Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more hiking vacations in the USA !

What do I need to bring?

Gear: Daypack (15–30L) Luggage — 1 small suitcase per person, can be left in the vehicle Sleeping bag rated to 15°F (-9°C) — available to rent Headlamp Reusable water bottles (2L capacity) Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner — optional, recommended if renting Travel pillow — recommended Small, quick-dry towel — recommended Earplugs — recommended Personal items: Sunscreen Insect repellent Toiletries (biodegradable and scent-free) Small personal first aid kit (with blister treatment) Clothing & footwear: Hiking boots Lightweight hiking pants Wool socks (1 pair per day of the trip) Warm jacket (down, puffy, or fleece) Rain jacket or shell Breathable, wicking base layers Warm hat Sun hat with a brim Sunglasses Warm clothes to sleep in Rain pants — recommended Buff or neck scarf — recommended Comfortable clothes for camp — recommended Sandals or camp shoes — recommended Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing: The maximum group size is set at 8 participants . This adventure is more than welcoming to solo travelers! This trip is designed to foster group bonding and the guides are pros at making sure everyone feels welcomed. Any given trip is usually a healthy mix of solo travelers, friends, and couples. Hiking in Joshua Tree can be arranged for larger groups — contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18 , you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 can’t join the public group departures, but your guides can accommodate all ages on a private adventure. If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your trip for hiking in Joshua Tree is Los Angeles . To get there, most people fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where your guide will pick you up. Plan to arrive by 12 pm (PST) on the first day. If you’d rather arrive a day early, your guide can collect you from your accommodation or another central point in Los Angeles, within 30 minutes of the airport, at 10 am (PST). You will meet your guide shortly after 12 pm at LAX. On the final day, your guide drives the group back to arrive at LAX by 2 pm (PST), so plan a departing flight after that time. If you’d prefer to stay at a hotel instead, you’ll need to arrange your own transportation from the airport.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout. Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

2026 is sold out — book 2027, or find a last minute deal.

Joshua Tree National Park | California

Hiking in Joshua Tree: 4-Day Camping Trip for Beginners

Name: Hiking in Joshua Tree: 4-Day Beginner Camping Trip
Brand: 57hours
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

4 days | Easy to Moderate | 5.00

From $1,458 ()

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If you’ve always wanted to camp but never knew where to start, the Mojave Desert is a great place to learn. This beginner-friendly trip for hiking in Joshua Tree doubles as a crash course in camping. We learn how to pitch a tent and choose a site, and we practice map reading and Leave No Trace principles. Then we put it all to the test on a group scavenger hunt through the park. Between lessons, we catch the desert at its best: on a sunset hike with a picnic dinner, on a star walk back to camp, and on an early-morning sunrise hike. By the end, you’ll be ready to head out on your own.

Jarrod

Adventure Highlights

Camping skills from the ground up: We learn hands-on how to pitch a tent, pick a site, pack a backpack, and read a map, so you leave confident enough to camp on your own
Desert light, from sunset to sunrise: A sunset hike with a picnic dinner, a star walk back to camp, and a sunrise hike through the park show Joshua Tree at its most beautiful
A scavenger hunt through the park: We put our new skills to the test on a group scavenger hunt, hiking through Joshua Tree National Park to check off every item on the list

Duration

4 days

Season

Spring & Fall

Group size

Up to 8 people

The adventure, day by day

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Four days, three nights camping in Joshua Tree National Park, with a maximum of eight of us. We meet at the Los Angeles airport on Day 1 and make the roughly three-hour drive out to the desert, where camp setup doubles as your first lesson. Day 2 is camp craft and stewardship in the morning, then a group scavenger hunt on the trail. Day 3 starts with a sunrise hike and ends with a farewell dinner. Hiking days run about six hours and 5-8 mi (8-13 km). On the final morning we pack up together and drive back to LAX.

Day 1: Meet in LA, camp setup, and a sunset hike under the stars

Image 6: Sunset in Joshua Tree National Park

Arrive in Los Angeles and meet your guide by early afternoon, then settle in for the roughly 3-hour drive out to Joshua Tree National Park. First order of business is camp: how to pick a good site, how to pitch a tent, what to watch out for after dark. With home base sorted, we head out on a sunset hike and watch the desert glow as the sun drops, sharing a picnic dinner along the way. The walk back is a star walk, and your guide will talk you through the constellations overhead and why people have been staring at them for thousands of years. Back at camp, we get ready for the days ahead.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Camping in Joshua Tree National Park

Day 2: Camp skills, Leave No Trace, and a group scavenger hunt

Morning kicks off with more camp craft and a proper look at responsible outdoor stewardship. We cover the Leave No Trace principles, wilderness survival basics, how to pack a backpack so it actually carries well, and what should always be in your daypack. Map reading and trip planning logistics round out the lessons, so you leave knowing how to put your own trip together. In the afternoon, we put all of it to use on a group scavenger hunt, hiking through Joshua Tree National Park and working together to tick off every item on the list. Expect plenty of laughs and a campfire to come back to.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping in Joshua Tree National Park

Day 3: Sunrise hike, camp games, and farewell dinner

Image 5: Joshua Tree National Park Tours

Early start today. We head out for a sunrise hike through the park while the desert is still cool and quiet, and your guide points out the flora and fauna along the way, including the park’s namesake plant, the Joshua tree itself. Back at camp, we play some games and dig into the last of the skills you’ll need to camp on your own. Tonight is our farewell dinner, so expect friendship bracelets, highs and lows from the trip, and plenty of talk about where everyone wants to get outside next.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance: 5-8 mi (8-13 km)
Accommodation: Camping in Joshua Tree National Park

Day 4: Pack up camp and drive back to LAX

Our final morning in the desert. We work together as a group to break down camp, pack up the gear, and load everything into the van, one last chance to practice what you’ve learned. Then it’s the roughly 3-hour drive back to LAX, where we arrive by 2 pm so you can catch your departing flight. If you’d rather stay on in Los Angeles, your guides can drop you at the airport and you can arrange your own ride to your hotel from there.

Meals: Breakfast

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Lodging & food

Camping in Joshua Tree

For three nights, we camp in Joshua Tree National Park. If you’ve never set up a tent before, there’s no need to worry. On the first afternoon, your guide walks you through how to pitch a tent, choose a site, and stay safe at camp, and those lessons continue throughout the trip. Tents, sleeping pads, and group camp equipment are provided, so you only need to bring a sleeping bag (or rent one) and your personal gear. Pricing is based on double occupancy.

Meals

All meals in the itinerary are included, from a picnic dinner on our first-night sunset hike to the final breakfast at camp. Depending on the day, meals are prepared by your guides, packed as boxed lunches, or enjoyed in restaurants. On the last evening, we gather for a farewell dinner at camp. Your guides prioritize fresh, seasonal ingredients from local suppliers, and most dietary requests and allergies can be accommodated with advance notice. Be sure to mention yours when booking.

Adventure, packed to go

Hiking in Joshua Tree: 4-Day Camping Trip for Beginners

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Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.

5.00

Jarrod

Jarrod grew up on the coast of southeastern Massachusetts, exploring rocky shores and skipping stones across the bay. After years in the Northeast’s hospitality and tourism industry, he downsized his life, moved into an RV, and headed west in search of adventure. While working in Yellowstone National Park, he fell in love with hiking, backpacking, and the solitude of remote wilderness. Seven years on the road eventually led him to Utah’s Wasatch and Uinta Mountains, where he now divides his time between alpine trails and the desert landscapes of the Southwest. Yellowstone remains his first love, and he’s always eager to share his passion for nature and the national parks with others.

5.00

Sydney

Sydney discovered the outdoors in the Pacific Northwest. She’s biased, but she still thinks the Cascades are the most beautiful peaks in the world. For the past three years, she’s guided in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Tennessee’s Great Smokies. Guiding lets this lifelong educator combine her two favorite things, getting outside and teaching, and she works to make everyone feel they belong outdoors. The Southeast is also where she fell in love with climbing. Hiking gives her time to think, while climbing pulls her into the moment. Off the trail, you’ll find her curled up with her black lab, Alpine, and her cats, Moose and Lobo.

5.00

Jason

Operations Assistant & Lead Guide

Jason grew up in New York State, spending most of his childhood exploring the outdoors (barefoot!) and camping with his family. He got more into backpacking and the outdoors while on an extended adventure in Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. Since then, Jason has worked for NOLS and Outward Bound leading wilderness expeditions in the Everglades, Wind River Range, Bears Ears National Monument, and Blue Ridge Mountains. He has hiked all over the world: from the tall peaks of Mexico’s volcanoes to the deep canyons of Namibia. Jason is passionate about bringing folks outside and helping them to develop a sense of wonder towards nature and outdoor activities.

5.00

Matt

Matt grew up in Indiana with a love for geology and the outdoors, but the West—with its varied terrain and vast wilderness—soon caught his attention. At 23, he moved to Flagstaff to study geology at Northern Arizona University. Today he uses that background to help guests read the landscape and understand how its formations came to be. He’s spent years exploring remote corners of the Southwest by backpacking, canyoneering, climbing, and peak bagging. Along the way he also became an avid landscape and adventure photographer, and he loves capturing guests’ experiences on the trail. Guiding hikes lets Matt bring all of these passions together and show guests what makes the Southwest such a great place to explore.

5.00

Megan

Founder, Chief Adventure Office, and Senior Guide

Megan got her start in the travel industry as a kayak guide at an eco-lodge in Wales. After returning to the States, she continued leading day hikes for adventurous New Yorkers, which soon turned into adventures around the world. During this time, she also began working on the logistics side of travel and creating itineraries. After completing her Master’s in Outdoor Education, Megan headed to Montana to guide. She is a passionate environmentalist who uses her experience to run a more sustainable and inclusive outdoor travel company.

What others say about this adventure

5.00 (2 reviews)

Anna G.

Halle was the best tour guide!! She maximized our time in Joshua Tree and was very knowledgeable of the park, vegetation and wildlife. We highly recommend this tour.

Isabella D.

My fiance and I had the BEST experience of our lives with these guides. We booked a tour in Joshua Tree, and had the pleasure of having Max as our guide. He was extremely knowledgable, so fun to hang out with, and really went above and beyond to make our tour incredibly special. I can’t wait to have him take us to Yosemite next year!!!

Show all reviews

Things to know

Included:
- - Medically trained, experienced naturalist guides with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 4-day beginner camping trip for hiking in Joshua Tree National Park (hiking and interpretive tours)
  - Hands-on training to get comfortable camping
  - 3 nights of camping in Joshua Tree National Park (double occupancy)
  - Tent and sleeping pad
  - Group camp equipment
  - All meals as outlined in the itinerary (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners)
  - Round-trip airport transfers from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  - Park entry fees
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
- - Sleeping bag rental
Not included:
- - Flights to and from Los Angeles
  - Lunch on Day 1
  - Sleeping bag — available to rent
  - Personal camping gear (see the packing list below)
  - Anything not mentioned above
  - Guide gratuities — optional
  - Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
In order to join this trip for hiking in Joshua Tree, basic fitness is required, and no previous camping experience is needed. The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 8 miles (12.9 km), with moderate elevation gain.

Hiking days usually include about 6 total hours on the trail, covering anywhere from 5–8 miles (8–12.9 km). The trip is suitable for beginners and novice hikers looking to build community.

Spring and fall are mild in the desert, with daytime highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s°F (around 25–29°C). Evenings can get quite cold, dropping to the mid to upper 40s°F (around 7–9°C), so be prepared for a wide range of temperatures. Rain is uncommon.

Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more hiking vacations in the USA!
Gear:
- - Daypack (15–30L)
  - Luggage — 1 small suitcase per person, can be left in the vehicle
  - Sleeping bag rated to 15°F (-9°C) — available to rent
  - Headlamp
  - Reusable water bottles (2L capacity)
  - Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner — optional, recommended if renting
  - Travel pillow — recommended
  - Small, quick-dry towel — recommended
  - Earplugs — recommended
Personal items:
- - Sunscreen
  - Insect repellent
  - Toiletries (biodegradable and scent-free)
  - Small personal first aid kit (with blister treatment)
Clothing & footwear:
- - Hiking boots
  - Lightweight hiking pants
  - Wool socks (1 pair per day of the trip)
  - Warm jacket (down, puffy, or fleece)
  - Rain jacket or shell
  - Breathable, wicking base layers
  - Warm hat
  - Sun hat with a brim
  - Sunglasses
  - Warm clothes to sleep in
  - Rain pants — recommended
  - Buff or neck scarf — recommended
  - Comfortable clothes for camp — recommended
  - Sandals or camp shoes — recommended
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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Group sizes and pricing:
- - The maximum group size is set at 8 participants.
  - This adventure is more than welcoming to solo travelers! This trip is designed to foster group bonding and the guides are pros at making sure everyone feels welcomed. Any given trip is usually a healthy mix of solo travelers, friends, and couples.
  - Hiking in Joshua Tree can be arranged for larger groups — contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 can’t join the public group departures, but your guides can accommodate all ages on a private adventure.
  - If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your trip for hiking in Joshua Tree is Los Angeles. To get there, most people fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where your guide will pick you up. Plan to arrive by 12 pm (PST) on the first day. If you’d rather arrive a day early, your guide can collect you from your accommodation or another central point in Los Angeles, within 30 minutes of the airport, at 10 am (PST).

You will meet your guide shortly after 12 pm at LAX.

On the final day, your guide drives the group back to arrive at LAX by 2 pm (PST), so plan a departing flight after that time. If you’d prefer to stay at a hotel instead, you’ll need to arrange your own transportation from the airport.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
- If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
- If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
- If canceled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
- Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.

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