Joshua Tree 4-Day Classic Camping

Joshua Tree 4-Day Classic Camping & Hiking Trip

Joshua Tree National Park

Trip Highlights:

Desert Sunsets

Wilderness Hiking

Stargazing

Desert Scenery

Homestyle Camping Recipes

Campfires

Join Lasting Adventures on a 4-Day Classic Camping trip in this beautiful desert landscape. Joshua Tree has long entertained campers with dazzling sunsets, starry night skies, and intriguing flora and fauna around every turn. Camp among these world famous rock formations in the aptly named Jumbo Rocks campground, and leave your busy life behind as you get to explore this interesting landscape for four days. Each morning will begin with coffee (or tea) and a hearty home-cooked breakfast to get you fueled for the day. Every day you will venture out into the park with options to explore cactus gardens, mountain summits or relics of Joshua Tree’s mining past. By night you will return to camp for some rustic camp cooking, a campfire with s’mores, and thousand’s of stars to guide you to sleep. For the adventurous, we can add a half or full day of rock climbing as well. This itinerary is perfect for families who like to camp together, those visiting Joshua Tree for the first time, or more intrepid explorers who want a guide to bring them to unique and less-visited areas of the park.

Mileage & Difficulty

Varies

Moderate

Length

4 Days

Price

$1,790*

Per Person

Departure Info

Jumbo Rocks Campground

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.

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 Classic Camping & Hiking Trip

This itinerary is only a sample and can be customized to meet your needs. Your guide will have plenty of hikes and activities to cater to your group, and we are flexible to adapt our itinerary for easier or more challenging days as needed.

Day 1: Meet your guide at 2 p.m. in Jumbo Rocks Campground. After a quick orientation to your trip, you’ll do a gear check and get acquainted with your campsite for the next few days. Take a short hike to the summit of Ryan Mountain for a view of the entire park and beyond. Ryan Mountain is an awesome spot to stay and watch the sunset over Joshua Tree. Back at camp, enjoy a hearty fresh meal prepared by your guide and settle in for your first night in Joshua Tree.

Day 2: An early start with coffee, home fries and eggs will get you ready for a longer hike around the Lost palm Oasis. This hike takes you through the open desert until you reach a beautiful oasis, complete with palm trees and a great spot to take a rest. Stop by the Cholla Cactus Garden on your way back to camp for a short loop through these alien looking cacti. This is a popular spot for photographers and is sure to delight. After returning to camp, relax in the late afternoon sun, or play some camp games and music before a specialty dinner and dessert around the campfire.

Day 3: Many campers enjoy an easier day on the third morning, beginning with a filling breakfast of french toast and fresh fruit before hitting the trail again. Visit the historic Barker Dam, or take a longer walk out to one of Joshua Tree’s notorious mining ruins. Afterwards, wander freely through the maze-like Wonderland of Rocks, where towering granite domes, and narrow rock passageways conceal hidden treasures like fabulous wildflowers and the elusive desert bighorn sheep. Again, return to camp for a warm dinner while watching the sunset. Stay up a bit later on your last night to see the milky way and watch stars fill the night sky.

Day 4: On your last day, a short loop around Hidden Valley will round out your visit to Joshua Tree. We typically aim to be back at camp around noon to leave plenty of time for a relaxing lunch and packing up camp before our guests go on their way. If you have travel arrangements this day, speak with your guide and we can arrange a departure at whatever time works for you.

Optional Rock Climbing: For those seeking a greater challenge, we recommend adding a half or full day of rock climbing. Lasting Adventures partners with Cliffhanger Guides to offer climbing as a great way to experience Joshua Tree in a different way. Joshua Tree is a world famous rock climbing destination, and many campers like to add this challenge on their last full day, or on the morning before they leave.

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 camped before. Can I still join this trip?

Yes, our Classic Camping trips are perfect for both those who are new to camping and those who have camped before.

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 travelers will be provided with single tents at no additional charge.

How big are the camping groups?

Group sizes are dependant on the campground reservation systems. Our average group size is 5-8 people. We strive for a 1:5 guide to client ratio at most on all trips.

Is there a Packing/Equipment List?

Yes, see here for our Classic Camping Packing and Equipment List.

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.

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.

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.

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 more 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.

What Our Clients Say

					AMAZING TRIP We worked with Lasting Adventures to create a custom trip for our family ages 8 thru 80+. There were so many considerations with such a varied group and we got a FANTASTIC trip. Everyone felt good about their camping experience and our guides were both wonderful. There knowledge of the plants and animals was deep, but they also knew how to keep kids from 8 thru 15 engaged, build a sense of community, and have everyone laughing. We also learned a lot and came away with better camping skills. This is a wonderful organization and we hope to work with them again.
- Read Moreread less
tracy A
8/29/2023
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tracy A
8/29/2023

						AMAZING TRIP We worked with Lasting Adventures to create a custom trip for our family ages 8 thru 80+. There were so many considerations with such a varied group and we got a FANTASTIC trip. Everyone felt good about their camping experience and our guides were both wonderful. There knowledge of the plants and animals was deep, but they also knew how to keep kids from 8 thru 15 engaged, build a sense of community, and have everyone laughing. We also learned a lot and came away with better camping skills. This is a wonderful organization and we hope to work with them again.
					
					We had an incredible time on our lasting adventures trip! Our guide Jesse was informative, thoughtful, funny and an excellent cook! He took us to both the highlights of Yosemite and also the lesser known, less crowded but equally beautiful areas. His knowledge of the history and geology of Yosemite was very impressive. We would start and end each day with a feast of fresh foods that he prepared, cooked and cleaned up for us. He could have had a michelin star and I would not be surprised -- it was that good!! I definitely recommend lasting adventures to anyone who wants to see Yosemite with a guide.
- Read Moreread less
Leora Einleger
7/11/2021
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Leora Einleger
7/11/2021

						We had an incredible time on our lasting adventures trip! Our guide Jesse was informative, thoughtful, funny and an excellent cook! He took us to both the highlights of Yosemite and also the lesser known, less crowded but equally beautiful areas. His knowledge of the history and geology of Yosemite was very impressive. We would start and end each day with a feast of fresh foods that he prepared, cooked and cleaned up for us. He could have had a michelin star and I would not be surprised -- it was that good!! I definitely recommend lasting adventures to anyone who wants to see Yosemite with a guide.
					
					Classic Camping Adventure The Classic Camping Adventure was an excellent way to experience Yosemite for those who do not want to carry a 35 pound pack on a hiking adventure or those who are not experienced campers. Lasting Adventures provided the required equipment, organized the activities and cooked the food. We could focus on relaxing and enjoying the experience of Yosemite. It was a very enjoyable trip with knowledgeable guides.
- Read Moreread less
Jon G
5/31/2021
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Jon G
5/31/2021

						Classic Camping Adventure The Classic Camping Adventure was an excellent way to experience Yosemite for those who do not want to carry a 35 pound pack on a hiking adventure or those who are not experienced campers. Lasting Adventures provided the required equipment, organized the activities and cooked the food. We could focus on relaxing and enjoying the experience of Yosemite. It was a very enjoyable trip with knowledgeable guides.
					
					Fantastic trip We had a fantastic trip with Lasting Adventures in August. We had two days hiking with our young family of five with one night camping overnight in Tuolumne Meadows. Our guide Will was absolutely great, taking us on gorgeous easy day hikes including swimming in the rivers. He was engaging and excellent at entertaining our three children from 9-14 on the long hikes and provided us with fabulous meals. The trip was well organised and catered for and was a fun and easy way to experience Yosemite for a family like ours. We were on a long tour of USA and Canada so had no camping equipment etc to do it ourselves. We were hailed on pretty heavily in the last hour of our hike so didn’t get to say a proper goodbye and thank you from all of us to Will so - goodbye and thank you Will!!! And we have made your excellent Chilli Beans since returning home which is now known affectionately in our household as Will’s Chilli! Thanks again!
- Read Moreread less
Dreamer538165
8/29/2019
×
Dreamer538165
8/29/2019

						Fantastic trip We had a fantastic trip with Lasting Adventures in August. We had two days hiking with our young family of five with one night camping overnight in Tuolumne Meadows. Our guide Will was absolutely great, taking us on gorgeous easy day hikes including swimming in the rivers. He was engaging and excellent at entertaining our three children from 9-14 on the long hikes and provided us with fabulous meals. The trip was well organised and catered for and was a fun and easy way to experience Yosemite for a family like ours. We were on a long tour of USA and Canada so had no camping equipment etc to do it ourselves. We were hailed on pretty heavily in the last hour of our hike so didn’t get to say a proper goodbye and thank you from all of us to Will so - goodbye and thank you Will!!! And we have made your excellent Chilli Beans since returning home which is now known affectionately in our household as Will’s Chilli! Thanks again!
					
					Love Critter and Lasting Adventures! Our first ever family TENT camping trip AND our first trip to Yosemite was with Lasting Adventures - what a wise choice!! We had a 5-day "Classic Camping" trip with a guide. The tents, bedding, trek poles and day-packs they provided were perfect for a family flying in from FL. The information on the website was very useful and the steady email communication (and phone calls) prior to our adventure were great. Where do we even begin?? Our guide, "Critter" was AWESOME. First day he met us at a bus stop in Half Dome Village and took us to our campsite which was completely set up. Critter was energetic, down-to-earth, funny and obviously passionate about people, Yosemite and nature. Every morning we woke up to the aroma of coffee and a delicious breakfast and while we got ready for the day he set out food for packing lunches to take on our hikes. Some of our trips included Yosemite Falls, Toulumne Grove and Toulumne Meadows, Sentinel Dome, Taft Point, Tenaya Lake, and Bridal Veil Falls. Our favorite was the John Muir Trail up to the Vernal and Nevada Falls descending on the Mist Trail. Critter suggested each day's itinerary and let us know the level of difficulty and gave us other harder/easier options. He let us know that we could choose whatever we wanted to do, but, new to hiking we found his suggestions perfect for our family. During the hikes he shared history of Yosemite, info on what we saw along the way as well as funny/scary/bizarre stories of the area. He kept a great pace which our sons in their mid-twenties and my husband appreciated but was also SO kind and patient in stopping for breaks when one of us (me!) fell behind. After an early morning and a full day of hiking Critter came back to camp and cooked wonderful dinners over the fire and did the dishes insisting that we not help but relax around the campfire. Words in a review really cannot capture what a memorable and wonderful adventure we had...if we could choose 10 stars for Lasting Adventure and our guide we would!
- Read Moreread less
MWeiss
8/09/2019
×
MWeiss
8/09/2019

						Love Critter and Lasting Adventures! Our first ever family TENT camping trip AND our first trip to Yosemite was with Lasting Adventures - what a wise choice!! We had a 5-day "Classic Camping" trip with a guide. The tents, bedding, trek poles and day-packs they provided were perfect for a family flying in from FL. The information on the website was very useful and the steady email communication (and phone calls) prior to our adventure were great. Where do we even begin?? Our guide, "Critter" was AWESOME. First day he met us at a bus stop in Half Dome Village and took us to our campsite which was completely set up. Critter was energetic, down-to-earth, funny and obviously passionate about people, Yosemite and nature. Every morning we woke up to the aroma of coffee and a delicious breakfast and while we got ready for the day he set out food for packing lunches to take on our hikes. Some of our trips included Yosemite Falls, Toulumne Grove and Toulumne Meadows, Sentinel Dome, Taft Point, Tenaya Lake, and Bridal Veil Falls. Our favorite was the John Muir Trail up to the Vernal and Nevada Falls descending on the Mist Trail. Critter suggested each day's itinerary and let us know the level of difficulty and gave us other harder/easier options. He let us know that we could choose whatever we wanted to do, but, new to hiking we found his suggestions perfect for our family. During the hikes he shared history of Yosemite, info on what we saw along the way as well as funny/scary/bizarre stories of the area. He kept a great pace which our sons in their mid-twenties and my husband appreciated but was also SO kind and patient in stopping for breaks when one of us (me!) fell behind. After an early morning and a full day of hiking Critter came back to camp and cooked wonderful dinners over the fire and did the dishes insisting that we not help but relax around the campfire. Words in a review really cannot capture what a memorable and wonderful adventure we had...if we could choose 10 stars for Lasting Adventure and our guide we would!
					