California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Desert Wonders & National Park Magic
A single cloud in the vast blue sky. Surreal Joshua trees against the national park’s infinite landscape. Discover the beauty of the desert with your family in Palm Springs and beyond.
We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.
See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.
From $4,299 - $4,599/person
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Snapshots from the Trip
Trip at a Glance
Highlights
- Hike high desert trails in Joshua Tree’s Black Rock Canyon lined with yuccas, juniper, pine and oak trees to a ridgetop offering 360-degree views
- Take in a wonderfully bizarre array of desert plants, from the staggering number of different cacti and Joshua trees to a variety of ferns and mosses and unique spring wildflowers
- Rock climb and explore in Joshua Tree National Park, home to legendary granite boulder fields and rare otherworldly trees
- Bike through Palm Springs’ historic neighborhoods to admire midcentury architecture and beautiful palm-lined city streets
Bask in the glow of spectacular pink- and amber-hued sunsets that light up the mountains surrounding our iconic hotel
Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.
Start Palm Springs Airport & Travel Details
- Travel with your family from Palm Springs, the jewel of California’s low desert, into the high desert landscapes between Joshua Tree National Park and the San Bernardino National Forest
- Hike a hard-pack sandy trail in Black Rock Canyon through dense forest and up to a ridgetop for spectacular views of Joshua Tree National Park
- Immerse yourself in quirky desert culture in rugged one-street Pioneertown, built as a Western film façade in the 1940s
- Take in the scene at a local saloon and relax at our one-of-a-kind American West hotel.
Night 1
Casual Hotel
Once frequented by film stars here shooting old Westerns, this cooly revamped desert hideaway spotlights local artisans and celebrates the town’s quirky history, culture and setting.
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- Journey to the heart of Joshua Tree National Park for encounters with fascinating rock formations and iconic yucca trees
- It’s a full-day adventure amid the park’s surreal labyrinths of sculpted granite, massive boulders and secret craggy passageways
- All levels are welcome for a rock-climbing experience with an expert guide in one of the world’s top climbing destinations!
- Hike desert trails within the lush oases of Indian Canyons
- Discover the famous Split Rock, known for its petroglyphs
- Head out on an architectural cycling tour through historic Palm Springs neighborhoods
- Weather and crowds permitting, journey over the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon to Mount San Jacinto State Park on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
- Walk through age-old pine trees and along rocky ridgelines, pausing at overlooks for picturesque panoramas of the surrounding desert and beyond
- Sip a signature desert cocktail poolside and take in the gorgeous vistas of the Coachella Valley.
Nights 2-4
Luxury Hotel
Set on a bluff overlooking glittering Palm Springs, this chic retreat complements its desert surroundings with elements of wood, stone and fire. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
End Palm Springs Airport & Travel Details
This trip has an activity level range of 1-3
Backroads is an authorized permittee of the National Park Service.
All breakfasts, 4 lunches, all dinners
All accommodations on your Backroads trip
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Expertise and services of Backroads Trip Leaders
Fully equipped Backroads titanium bike, Wahoo GPS device, helmet and accessories
Bike fitting and equipment support throughout your trip
Lightweight carbon hiking poles
Backroads On Trip App with route maps, elevation profiles, daily snapshots and more
Additional local guides and experts, plus equipment for included activities as detailed in your itinerary
Exclusive activities, tours and cultural experiences, as detailed in your itinerary
All luggage transfers and porterage during your trip
Snacks and beverages between meals
Private cocktail and wine receptions on the first and last nights of your trip
Choice of Backroads cycling jersey, t-shirt or hat, plus water bottle and luggage tag
Detailed Travel Planner with destination tips and pre-trip information
