Twentynine Palms Tours Begin at Joshua Tree National Park . . .

Joshua Tree National Park Tours near 29 Palms

Joshua Tree National Park has many interesting and beautiful places to see and many backcountry roads to explore, and offers many guided tours to enhance your experience.

The Keys Ranch Guided Walking Tour is led by rangers and explores the historic Desert Queen Ranch complete with the ranch house, school house, store, workshop, orchard, and much of the equipment used during the 60 years the ranch was in use by the Keys family.

The Geology Motor Tour is a two-hour tour that explores some of the park's most fascinating landscapes, and there are old mining districts and other sites to see in Joshua Tree National Park.

Read our list of tours in the 29 Palms area to help you plan your visit.

Twentynine Palms tours listed by distance from Sunnyvale Garden Suites:

Geology Motor Tour  •  15.7 mi

Joshua Tree National Park    (760) 367-5500
The Geology Motor Tour is an 18-mile tour leads through one of Joshua Tree National Park's most fascinating landscapes. There are 16 stops along a dirt road and it takes approximately two hours to make the round trip. A descriptive brochure that highlights each stop is available at the beginning of the road.

Keys Ranch Guided Walking Tour - The Desert Queen Ranch  •  25.0 mi

Joshua Tree National Park    (760) 367-5500
Tour the historic Desert Queen Ranch, created and operated by Bill and Frances Keys for over 60 years. Hear the story of the years they lived and worked in this remote, rocky canyon, and view the still-standing ranch house, school house, store, and workshop. The orchard has been replanted; and the grounds are full of the cars, trucks, mining equipment, and spare parts that are a part of the Desert Queen Ranch story. The Ranch Listed as a National Historic Register Site and is located in Joshua Tree National Park. To preserve its historic character, admission to the ranch is restricted to guided walking tours. The tours are a half-mile in length and last 90 minutes. Group size is limited to 25 people. Reservations Tours fill quickly on weekends and holidays and reservations are recommended.

Backcountry Roads of Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park    (760) 367-5500
There are several backcountry roads in Joshua Tree National Park that are suitable only for mountain bikes and 4-wheel-drive vehicles. Read our list for more information about these roads, and visit the national parks web site to learn about desert safety and the rules that apply for your protection and that of the park. For more information in Twentynine Palms, visit the Oasis Visitors Center.

• Berdoo Canyon Road •  23.6 mi
  Connecting the south end of Geology Tour Road with Dillon Road, this 4-wheel-drive road requires a high clearance vehicle. Berdoo Canyon Road exits the park after 11.5 miles (18.4 km). The last 3.9 miles (6.24 km) to Dillon Road winds past the ruins of the Berdoo Camp, which was established in the 1930s by the builders of the California Aquaduct.
• Covington Flats •  24.1 mi
  The dirt roads in Covington Flats offer access to some of the park's largest Joshua trees, junipers, and pinyon pines. From Covington Flats picnic area to Eureka Peak is 3.8 miles (6.2 km) one way. The dirt road is steep near the end, but the top offers views of Palm Springs, the surrounding mountains, and the Morongo Basin. Your trip will be 6.5 miles (10.5 km) longer if you ride or drive over to the backcountry board, a starting point for excellent hiking.
• Queen Valley Roads •  25.0 mi
  A network of roads, totaling 13.4 miles (21.7 km), cross this valley of boulder piles and Joshua trees. A bike trip can begin at Hidden Valley or Big Horn Pass, opposite Geology Tour Road. Bike racks have been placed in this area so visitors can lock their bikes and go hiking.
• Old Dale Road •  33.5 mi
  This 23-mile (37.3-km) road starts at the same point as Black Eagle Mine Road. The first 11 miles (17.8 km), cross Pinto Basin, a flat, sandy, dry-lake bed. Leaving the basin, the road climbs a steep hill, then crosses the park boundary. A number of side roads veer off toward old mines and residences. The main road leads to HWY 62, 15 miles (24.3 km) east of Twentynine Palms.
• Black Eagle Mine Road •  37.4 mi
  Beginning 6.5 miles (10.5 km) north of Cottonwood Visitor Center, this dead-end dirt road runs along the edge of Pinto Basin, crosses several dry washes, and winds through canyons in the Eagle Mountains. The first nine miles (14.5 km) are within the park boundary. Beyond that point is Bureau of Land Management land and a number of side roads. Several old mines are located near these roads but may be too dangerous to approach.
• Pinkham Canyon-Thermal Canyon Roads •  40.4 mi
  This challenging 20-mile (32.4-km) road begins just south of Cottonwood Visitor Center, travels along Smoke Tree Wash, then cuts down Pinkham Canyon, exiting onto a service road that connects to I10. Or you can pass Pinkham Canyon and continue on to Thermal Canyon Road. Sections of these roads run through soft sand and rocky flood plains. Drivers should be prepared and should not attempt travel on these roads without a high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicle and emergency supplies.