4-Day Joshua Tree Backpacking

Joshua Tree National Park

Trip Highlights:

Desert Sunsets

Tasty Meals

Wilderness Navigation

Rocky Canyons

Expert Guides

Wildflowers, Desert and Mountain Scenery

While mountain ranges all over the American West succumb to cold winds and deep snow in the fall through spring, Joshua Tree’s desert climate remains relatively temperate, making the area a backpacking paradise for these typically colder months. This park straddles the border of the Colorado Plateau and Mojave Desert. As a result, an amazing array of plants and animals find their home in this seemingly barren landscape. For thousands of years, wind and water from the powerful but brief desert storms have carved away at the earth here, resulting in bizarre rock pile formations strewn across the desert floor. Just a short drive from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree has a real wilderness character and a variety of challenging adventures for every skill level.

Mileage & Difficulty

18-25 Miles

(Map and Elevation)

Moderate

Length

4 Days

Price

$1,600*

Per Person

Departure Info

Quail Springs Picnic Area

2 p.m.

Check Availability

48-Hour Risk-Free Booking

You will receive a full refund if you cancel within 48 hours of the original booking date.

Lifetime Credit Policy

Book with confidence knowing you can cancel for any reason up to 30 days before your trip date and receive a transferable lifetime credit that is good for use on any of our programs.

Free Date Changes

Not sure if your current trip dates work? Rest assured, you can change your trip date as many times as needed, provided you do so at least 30 days before the current and new trip dates.

2026 Departure Dates by Month

All dates remain tentative until permitted 6 months in advance. Please refrain from making travel arrangements outside of this timeline. We will reach out to you if we are unable to get your dates. Feel free to contact us if you would like to confirm.

All trips are permitted through May 2026.

If you don’t see dates that work with your schedule, please let us know, as we can consider additional dates.

4-Day Joshua Tree National Park Backpacking Trip

For a detailed map with an elevation profile of the tentative itinerary, click here: Map.

Day 1

Meet your guide at 2 p.m. in the Quail Springs Picnic Area. The drive in will include iconic rock formations and thousands of leaning Joshua trees. Enjoy an easy 2-mile hike to your campsite for the night, where you will have some free time to explore the rock formations of one of the most popular climbing areas in the park.

Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 2 mi / +110′, -51′

Day 2

Your day will begin with a 6.4-mile round-trip day hike into the rocks, exploring the mysterious canyons of Willow Hole. After a delicious lunch at camp, you will pack up and move deeper into the desert along the Boy Scout Trail. The desert sunset will illuminate the rocks near your camp and off in the distance to make you feel as if you are on a different planet.

Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 8.4 mi / +383′, -383′ (including the variable-length day hike)

Day 3

Another full day of hiking brings you past more interesting geologic phenomena and many wildflower clusters hiding amongst the cacti and rocks. Take another lunch break with meals provided by your guide and trail games to pass the time. After making your final camp, wait out of the tent for a magical star show in this designated international dark sky park.

Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 8 mi / +822′, -1551′

Day 4

Savor the cool morning air as you pack up your final camp and hike towards your finishing point. A filling lunch awaits your arrival at the trailhead. We aim to be wrapping up lunch and have our guests on their way by around 2-4 p.m. to allow for travel time.

Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 6.7 mi / +864′-195′

Joshua Tree offers many terrific itineraries and specific itineraries will be dependent on permits received with final changes made in the weeks preceding departure date. Some itineraries may require shuttling vehicles or staying in a campground for the first or last nights. Typical daily mileage ranges from 5-8 miles.

Our trips are all-inclusive. We provide all meals, and we can provide high-quality gear, including Gregory backpacks, Big Agnes tents, sleeping bags and pads, LEKI trekking poles, and eating gear, free of charge. Group gear, including all kitchen supplies, first aid, and water purification, is also included. See the Guide Service Backpacking Equipment List for more information.
See our Frequently Asked Questions and Joshua Tree Transportation Options.
Parking will be available adjacent to the first day’s meeting location.
All trips include the required permits and are pending permit availability, which we are able to reserve 6 months in advance. Please refrain from making travel arrangements until we have confirmed dates.
Should weather, fire, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered. Lasting Adventures is recognized for its commitment to safety and risk management. In this regard, the summit of peaks will not be attempted when clouds are in close proximity.
Pack extra water bottles for the drive to the meeting location. There is no potable water in the park past the entrance gates.

See here for our full Terms & Conditions and Cancellation Policies.

Your participation helps sustain our non-profit mission of supporting youth, families, and disadvantaged communities with positive experiences in America’s National Parks and natural spaces.

I have never backpacked before. Can I still join this trip?

Yes, our backpack trips are perfect for both those who are new to backpacking and those who have backpacked before and are looking to explore new areas.

I am booking as a solo participant. Is that okay?

Yes, overall, most of our clients travel solo, and everyone always leaves with new friends. Often these new friendships return and join us in different parks and/or on different itineraries. Solo participants will be offered single-person tents.

How big are the backpacking groups?

On backpacking trips, our average group size is 8-10 people with at least two guides, however, often groups are much smaller. We strive for a 1:5 guide to client ratio at most on all trips. We also appreciate small group sizes to maximize your experience.

Is there a Packing/Equipment List?

Yes, see here for our Guide Service Backpacking Equipment List.

What gear does Lasting Adventures provide?

On all multiday trips, and unlike most other outfitters, our trips are all–inclusive, with free use of quality gear from partners such as Gregory (backpacks), Big Agnes (tents, sleeping bags, and pads), Leki (trekking poles), and more. See here for Gear We Use. Lasting Adventures also provides all group gear (bear cans, cooking gear, first-aid supplies, water treatment, toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer, bug repellent, suntan lotion, etc).

If I have my own gear, do I get a discount?

Unfortunately no. Lasting Adventures provides our gear free of charge through longstanding partnerships with our gear partners. Thus, we neither charge more to use our gear nor charge less if you use your own. You can also request to use our gear, and also bring your own, and then decide what stays or goes when packing up with the guide(s) and group on the first day.

How much weight will I be required to carry?

You can expect to carry anywhere from 30-50 pounds, but no more than ⅓ of your body weight. You will carry all your personal gear and, if possible, a share of the group gear. Within the group, bigger people carry more and smaller people less. For over 30 years now, this process has worked to everyone’s advantage.

Can you accommodate dietary requests?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We have a long history of meeting the needs of most all dietary restrictions and even some very complicated ones. When registering, you will complete a questionnaire to give us a brief picture of your needs. Later, you will complete a more detailed Medical Form, which you can use to include additional information. The staff guiding your trip will call you the day prior and, when packing the food/gear for the trip, will go over your needs and modifications in more detail. Although we have many options in stock, we respect it if you ultimately decide to bring your preferred substitutions.

Will bathrooms and/or showers be available?

We operate traditional wilderness backpacking trips, and you should prepare yourself for not having access to bathrooms/showers. Guides will provide instructions on how to best use the wilderness when conducting your business while also following the Leave No Trace Principles. There will also be time to rinse off, as we camp near rivers, streams, and/or lakes daily. Less often, we may stay in campgrounds with toilets or outhouses.

Will there be parking available?

Yes, parking is always available close to our first day’s meeting point, and your vehicle can remain there throughout the trip. Although parking is free, remember to expect a vehicle fee when entering the park.

Are there public transportation options available?

Due to the remote trips we offer in Joshua Tree National Park, a rental vehicle is advised. However, you can find more information on transportation options here: Joshua Tree Transportation Options.

Where can I leave my extra/other luggage and/or belongings I will be traveling with?

You can store your valuables and/or extra gear/luggage either locked in your vehicle or our guide’s vehicle for the duration of the trip.

How can I avoid the extra processing and booking fees when registering for the trip?

To avoid the processing fees associated with online registration, you can pay by check, Zelle, or bank transfer. See more information here: Payment Options.

What's your cancellation policy?

Lasting Adventures offers a very forgiving and structured Cancellation Policy, with lifetime transferable credit always an option up to 30 days prior to the trip. For a full description, visit our Terms and Conditions page.

See here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

Our trips are all-inclusive. We provide all meals, and we can provide high-quality gear, including Gregory backpacks, Big Agnes tents, sleeping bags and pads, LEKI trekking poles, and eating gear, free of charge. Group gear, including all kitchen supplies, first aid, and water purification, is also included. See the Guide Service Backpacking Equipment List for more information.
See our Frequently Asked Questions and Joshua Tree Transportation Options.
Parking will be available adjacent to the first day’s meeting location.
All trips include the required permits and are pending permit availability, which we are able to reserve 6 months in advance. Please refrain from making travel arrangements until we have confirmed dates.
Should weather, fire, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered. Lasting Adventures is recognized for its commitment to safety and risk management. In this regard, the summit of peaks will not be attempted when clouds are in close proximity.
Pack extra water bottles for the drive to the meeting location. There is no potable water in the park past the entrance gates.

See here for our full Terms & Conditions and Cancellation Policies.

Your participation helps sustain our non-profit mission of supporting youth, families, and disadvantaged communities with positive experiences in America’s National Parks and natural spaces.