Trip Highlights:
Lasting Adventures 5-day backpacking winter & spring camp trips in Joshua Tree National Park are designed especially for youth ages 13-17 who are new or experienced backpackers. These teen backpacking trips are perfect for participants who have joined us before on 6- or 13-day adventures in Yosemite or Olympic National Parks and want to try backpacking in all seasons! This 5-day Joshua Tree itinerary visits the summits of rocky peaks, explores the depths of winding canyons, and tours mining ruins from the park’s recent past. Past Joshua Tree camp participants all comment on how the sunsets light up the rocks and desert in orange and red during the golden hour before nightfall. On this backpacking adventure, you will encounter daily wilderness challenges, explore natural and human history and geology, and seize opportunities for leadership and self-reflection. Through games, skits, fun, and support from others, Lasting Adventures Joshua Tree winter camps are a positive youth backpacking experience and adventure for all.
Please reach out to us at Staff@LastingAdventures.org to schedule your group of at least six youth.Â
Age Range
Price
Length
Length
YOUTH PROGRAM ADVENTURE SHUTTLE
Lasting Adventures will be providing transportation from near the Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to our Youth Backpacking Programs in Joshua Tree National Park. Skip the long drive and traffic while helping save the environment.
Although no dates are currently scheduled for the winter of 2025-2026, please reach out to us at Staff@LastingAdventures.org to schedule your group of at least six youth.
This is a Sample Itinerary only and subject to change.
Day 1: Meet your Guides/Outdoor Educators. Get acquainted with the group and with your gear. Group team-building activity and orientation before settling into your campsite at Black Rock Campground for the evening. Take a short tour that includes geological and natural highlights around your area. Evening activities and campfire to strengthen bonds while goal setting and an introduction to the Joshua Tree wilderness and history through storytelling.
Day 2: After packing up and stretching, we will head right out on the trail through the open desert from Black Rock Campground. The trail quickly funnels into some tighter canyons with more vegetation and rocky walls. Make camp at an open spot beneath Eureka Peak and do an optional hike up to the peak to look down on our campsite. The top of this mountain is a fantastic spot to explore the park’s geology. This day entails about 5.5 miles of hiking and 1,200 feet of elevation gain.
Day 3: After morning circle time (stretches, map review, goal setting, etc.) we will make our way about 5 miles to the start of Smith Water Canyon. From here, the canyon itself is about 2 miles of winding rock passages with some fun challenges along the way. We may find some interesting flora and fauna to discuss along our journey. Today’s total is about 7 miles with about 600 feet of elevation gain and 2,000 feet of loss as we descend to the bottom of the canyon. After exiting Smith Water Canyon, we will camp and enjoy the dark night sky.Â
Day 4: After another morning stretch circle and goal setting, set out early on the trail out of the hills and into the open desert for a stretch before finding the start of Johnny Lang Canyon. This trail takes you through another passage and towards the old mine site of Johnny Lang. Explore the old pump house and mine ruins before camping on the hillside below the mine. This evening we will do a final bonding activity and prepare for our hike out the next morning. This day entails a total of 4.5 miles and 500 feet of elevation gain.
Day 5: On the last morning, we will savor our time in camp, playing games, studying the local history, and enjoying our last morning in the wilderness. A short two-mile hike will bring us to the trailhead, where we will unpack and celebrate with a sandwich bar and beverages before we say our goodbyes.
Other: On all of our multiday youth programs, we have a daily morning meeting where youth engage in group games, share highlights, offer praise to each other, stretch, review maps and day itineraries, and set individual and group goals for the day. Also, whether breaking on the trail in the afternoon or evening at the campsite, our Outdoor Educators also facilitate additional opportunities for youth to develop a personal connection with nature. Problem-solving and initiative games are common, as are smiles. Additional outdoor skills are gained as we practice Leave No Trace principles and promote environmental stewardship throughout the length of the program.
REQUIRED FORMS
In addition to full payment, the final acceptance of any participant is subject to receipt and review of all  Required Forms. For overnight adventures, you will find these forms attached to your confirmation email once you register online, and must be filled out by each member of your party as soon as possible.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
For your protection and ours, we strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance, which can provide coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, travel delay, medical expenses, emergency assistance, airfare, and baggage loss/delay to protect your financial investment. We recommend those with “cancel for any reason” clauses included. See reviews of some of the best Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Options presented by Forbes or Squaremouth. Othe
Travel Insurance is the easiest and best way to protect yourself and our smaller non-profit organization against last-minute cancellations. We are happy to provide timely and accurate documentation for any insurance claim related to our trips when requested. Please keep in mind that when canceling a reservation, you must first contact the company that made your reservation with us.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Full payment is preferred for all youth programs/summer camps. During check-out, you may pay a 50% deposit at the time of booking and the remaining 50% at least 30 days from departure. If you choose this option, you can either complete payment on your own using the self-service link in the confirmation email or you will be billed automatically at or shortly after the 30-day interval for the remaining amount. Any new multi-day booking made within 45 days of the start date must be paid in full. Feel free to contact us directly to set up any other payment plan.
When registering online, expect to pay a booking fee of 3.0% (capped at $30) and a processing fee of 2.7% (no cap). These fees can be avoided when paying by check and are non-refundable. For detailed information, see our Payment Options page.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES
Lasting Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips. If a trip is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. Lasting Adventures is not responsible for additional expenses incurred while preparing for the trip.
The following cancellation policy is only for trips booked directly through our official website, lastingadventures.com. If you have booked via a third-party website (such as TripAdvisor/Viator, BookYogaRetreats.com, or 57Hours), the policy below does not apply, and you are held to the third-party’s cancellation policy.
Summer Camps/Youth Adventures Cancellation Policy
48-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation Policy
Any reservation can be canceled within 48 hours of the initial booking, and we will issue a full refund, minus a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions. After 48 hours, our standard terms and conditions apply. To cancel, please email us at staff@lastingadventures.org or leave a voicemail at 800-513-8651. This policy does not apply if the trip is booked within 96 hours of the initial booking.
Fire/Smoke Cancellation Policy
Fire/smoke cancellations are considered circumstances beyond our control. If your chosen travel insurance does not cover fire/smoke cancellations, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. If we cancel during your adventure with us, we will issue a non-refundable credit equal to the amount for the days not used. In both cases, these credits will be lifetime/transferable but non-refundable.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Departing from a Trip: Once a participant has joined a trip and the trip has begun, no refunds or credits will be issued, regardless of the reason for departure. Costs associated with assisting a participant with evacuating from the wilderness will be passed on to the participant. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.
Minimum Participants: Our Youth Programs require a minimum of four participants.
Our 20-Day Teen Leadership Expedition requires a minimum of six participants. If, for any reason, we fall short of our 6-person minimum on this trip, the confirmed youth will be scheduled together on a 13-day program followed by a consecutive 6-day program in Yosemite, with a layover at a front-country campsite.
If we fall short on these minimums, we will reach out to you 30 days before your scheduled start date with options that may include switching to another trip/date and/or a surcharge.
Infectious Illness Policy: Any participant on any program/trip who exhibits any signs or symptoms of a potential infectious illness will not be allowed to participate, and no refund or credits will be given. Many forms of Travel Insurance cover these circumstances. We ask that you screen yourself and/or your child before participating and contact us to cancel if you or your child shows any signs of illness. Health screenings can be expected in all youth programs.
Half Dome & Other Summits: Reaching the top of a summit, such as Half Dome, is risky and can be made even more dangerous by inclement weather. While we aim to get everyone to the top, summiting is not guaranteed. Lightning and rain can be deadly on exposed summits, and our experienced guides may have to call off a summit bid if the weather is unfavorable. You will not be allowed to summit with a Lasting Adventures permit if the experienced guide decides the conditions are not favorable.
Booking a trip before permits have been confirmed:Â All Lasting Adventures trips require permits and/or campsites obtained in advance at specific intervals, depending on the particular park. If you book a trip before these permits and/or campsites are obtained, and for any reason we are unable to gain the necessary permits and/or campsites, we will then work with you to select alternative dates or trips. A cancellation and full refund will always be the final option.Â
TRIP CHANGE/CREDIT POLICY
Once you book a trip with Lasting Adventures, the value you paid is valid toward switching to another trip in the current or upcoming year, pending available spaces on the new trip. Changes to your booking and conversion to credit must occur more than 30 days before your original start date, as well as 30 days before the trip you would like to switch to. Changes within 30 days are subject to fees. Once changed to a lifetime/transferable credit, credits are non-refundable and are a dollar-for-dollar value.
RECREATIONAL SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM
Our summer camp programs are purely recreational and should not be confused with a wilderness therapy program. Our staff are trained as summer camp counselors, outdoor educators, and guides, and are not required or expected to have training/experience in therapeutic programs. Your child should individually have the desire to participate in this program and should not be sent against their will. Additionally, all participants should have experience at sleepaway camps and/or being away from their parents/guardians for multiple nights. No refunds or credits will be issued for evacuations due to social, emotional, and/or behavioral reasons. In addition, due to said concerns, there will be a minimum fee of $500 for any field evacuation.
TRADITIONAL BACKPACKING
Lasting Adventures runs “traditional backpacking” trips. This is done without using porters, stock, or other outside assistance. For this trip, you will be expected to carry your personal gear, a share of the group gear, and food in a backpack. The weight is expected to be 30-50 lb., no more than ⅓ of your body weight.
As needed, participants should talk about their ability to fully participate in a backpacking trip with their doctor, including (but not limited to) carrying heavy loads over long distances and on strenuous, uneven terrain. The levels of difficulty listed on our website are relative and in no way constitute an objective declaration of difficulty. A regular physical exercise program is recommended before going on your adventure.
TRIP ITINERARIES
All trips are subject to itinerary changes for various reasons, including, but not limited to, permitting, weather, forest fires, park or public land closures, and/or road closures. In most situations, we will offer an alternative itinerary of equal value and quality or a credit equal to the total amount paid through the end of the following season. Payments are non-refundable for itinerary changes. If a trip is canceled before its start date due to circumstances beyond our control, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued.
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