This eight-day, women-only road trip links two of California's most dramatic national parks with moderate, guide-led hikes and comfortable lodging along the way. Starting in Las Vegas, we work through Death Valley's canyons, crater, and dunes before crossing the Mojave into Joshua Tree's boulder-strewn high desert, finishing in Palm Springs. Expect up to 11 km (7 mi) of hiking on the busiest days, with plenty of stops for geology, history, and photos in between. Seven nights of accommodation are included, from a historic ranch to adobe cabins on a private oasis, along with all meals from the first dinner through the final breakfast. No technical hiking experience is required, just a regular walking habit and a taste for wide-open desert.
Arrive in Las Vegas any time before 5 pm and make your way to the group hotel. We meet at 5:30 pm for introductions, an orientation, and our first dinner together. The evening is yours—settle in or head out for a stroll along the Strip before the adventure begins in earnest tomorrow.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Las Vegas
We leave Las Vegas behind and head for Death Valley, detouring to Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge—a true desert oasis and home to rare pupfish. After a picnic lunch, we step back in time at the ruins of Rhyolite Ghost Town. Enjoy sweeping first views of the park from Hell’s Gate before checking in at our base in Death Valley.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: The Ranch at Death Valley (or similar)
Distance: Short walks
Travel: ~2.5 hours driving
We hike the stunning Golden Canyon-Gower Gulch loop—about 4.5 mi (7.2 km) with colorful canyon walls, unique geology, and a steady climb over a ridge before winding through Gower Gulch. Take the afternoon at your own pace—relax by the pool, visit the Visitor Center, or discover more local history at Harmony Borax Works. Later, we regroup for a sunset stop at Badwater Basin, the lowest spot in North America.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance: 4.5 mi (7.2 km)
Elevation: ~850 ft (259 m) gain/loss
Accommodation: The Ranch at Death Valley (or similar)
We head north in Death Valley to Ubehebe Crater, walking its rim and learning about the park’s volcanic past. After a picnic, we explore Mosaic Canyon with its smooth marble rock. The day ends with a stroll among the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, where the desert light does something magical as the sun goes down.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance: Ubehebe Crater: 1.5 mi (2.4 km); Mosaic Canyon: 2.3 mi (3.7 km)
Elevation: Mosaic Canyon up to 1,200 ft (366 m) gain/loss
Accommodation: The Ranch at Death Valley (or similar)
We say goodbye to Death Valley from Zabriskie Point and cross the Mojave, stopping to stretch our legs at Kelso Depot and the Oasis of Mara. There’s time for a short walk among cholla before we settle in at 29 Palms Inn, our oasis near Joshua Tree National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance: Short walks, Zabriskie Point: 0.3 mi (0.5 km); Cholla Cactus Garden: 0.25 mi (0.4 km)
Accommodation: 29 Palms Inn (or similar)
A full day in Joshua Tree—hiking Split Rock, Skull Rock, and winding between boulders, sandy washes, and desert blooms. After a lunch break in Hidden Valley, we continue to Barker Dam or the Wall Street Mill for a glimpse into the area’s mining and ranching history before returning to our adobe cabin base.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance: 5–7 mi (8–11 km) total — Split Rock: 2.4 mi (3.9 km); Skull Rock: 1.8 mi (2.9 km); Barker Dam: 1.1 mi (1.8 km); Wall Street Mill: 1.8 mi (2.9 km)
Accommodation: 29 Palms Inn (or similar)
We wrap up our time in Joshua Tree with a hike over a rocky ridge to the 49 Palms Oasis—palms, cool water, and a taste of true desert tranquility. After lunch and a possible short hike in Black Rock, we move on for a final night in Palm Springs, swapping trail stories by the pool.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance: 3–4 mi (4.8–6.4 km)
Elevation: ~633 ft (193 m) gain/loss
Accommodation: Hilton Palm Springs (or similar)
You’re free to leave at any time today or linger a little longer under those iconic California palms. Transfers to Palm Springs Airport are easy to arrange from the hotel—wave one last goodbye to the desert before heading home.
Meals: Breakfast
Included:
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
Not included:
In order to join this hiking tour, good fitness is required, though no technical hiking experience. The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 11 km (7 mi), with up to 366 m (1,200 ft) of elevation gain.
This trip is designed to be approachable for novice hikers: you should be comfortable walking briskly for 35 to 45 minutes, three to four days a week, and ready for uneven, rocky, or sandy desert terrain with some short, steeper sections. Guides give hiking tips and support throughout, and your luggage travels by vehicle between hotels, so you’re never carrying more than a daypack on the trail. Keep in mind that desert weather can swing from warm afternoons to cold mornings and evenings, which can make some days feel tougher than the mileage suggests.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more hiking adventures in US National Parks here!
Gear:
Clothing:
Other:
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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Death Valley and Joshua Tree are both home to more wildlife than the stark scenery might suggest. In Death Valley, keep an eye out for roadrunners, desert bighorn sheep, jackrabbits, kit foxes, and the rare pupfish species that live in a handful of desert springs and oases—including the ones at Ash Meadows on day 2. Joshua Tree is home to desert tortoises, coyotes, bobcats, and owls, among other high-desert residents. Sightings aren’t guaranteed, since these are wild animals in a vast landscape, but your guides know where to look.
Group sizes and pricing:
Min. age requirements:
The price for this Death Valley hiking tour to Joshua Tree is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout. Please note that single occupancy depends on availability.
Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.
The starting point of your Death Valley hiking tour to Joshua Tree is Las Vegas, Nevada. To get there, most people fly into Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). From there, you can take a shuttle service, taxi, or rideshare to reach the group hotel. You will meet your guide at 5:30 pm in the lobby of the designated Las Vegas hotel on Day 1. The trip ends in Palm Springs, California. Depart any time on Day 8 and arrange ground transportation to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP).
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.