Yes, you can! Driving with a self-guided audio tour like this one guarantees that you’ll get to see the diversity of the two desert environments that call this park home, all while learning about the park’s rich history.
A Tale of Two Deserts
Joshua Tree is home to two different American deserts: the Sonoran and the Mojave. The sweltering Sonoran is one of America’s hottest deserts and can easily reach 120 degrees and even hotter! But don’t be fooled – though this desert packs the heat, it’s home to a variety of blooming flowers, so the views outside your car window will be anything but barren.
But what the park’s truly known for is the iconic resident of the dry Mojave Desert: the Joshua Tree! While this desert doesn’t offer as much color, the uniquely shaped Joshua Trees will make the world outside your car window feel otherworldly. Getting a self-guided Joshua Tree tour allows you to see the best of both deserts from the comfort of your car.
Joshua Tree Self-Guided Tour
The best way to experience Joshua Tree is with your tour guide. But luckily, in this day and age, you don’t have to join a bus tour. You don’t have to worry about following a set schedule by downloading a self-guided Joshua Tree tour to your phone. Whether you’re crunched for time or want to visit the park in a way that’s easy and accessible, you can develop a good understanding of the area in less than three hours as you drive through unforgettable scenery in your car. You’ll also have some of the park’s best trails pointed out to you, including the easy 0.4-mile loop trail at Cap Rock.