The q&A

Do you provide transportation?

No, transportation to our tour sites isn’t currently included. Your booking confirmation will include a Google Maps pin with the exact meeting location. 

Do we need to bring a flashlight?

No flashlights needed! We use red light lanterns onsite to provide lighting without affecting your night vision.

Is there any hiking involved?

No, we’ve picked locations with dedicated parking lots that also have open areas next to them for our equipment setup.

What's your cancellation policy?

Private tours must be canceled seven days or more in advance for a full refund. Individual tickets must be canceled at least 48 hours in advance for a full refund. If you book a tour or cancel an advanced booking after either cancellation window, your booking is nonrefundable.

If a tour is canceled due to weather and no alternate date is available, you'll receive a full refund.

What should I wear?

We recommend close-toed shoes for all seasons. In summer, temperatures are around 70 degrees at night, so we recommend pants, a t-shirt, and a jacket, just in case. In winter, we recommend lots of layers — pants, long sleeve shirt, a sweater, and a jacket — as temperatures can drop into the 30s and 40s after the sun goes down.

Should we tip our guide, and if so, how much?

If you feel your tour guide did an excellent job we encourage you to leave them a tip. The usual gratuity is 10% of the tour price, but it’s at your discretion.

How old do you have to be to go on a tour?

Due to both the length of the tour and our special equipment, the minimum age to participate in a tour is 6 years old.

Can I customize a tour package for a small special event?

Yes! We arrange custom tours all the time. Our most popular special events are proposals, anniversaries, birthdays, and bachelor/bachelorette parties. To get started, get in touch with our special events team.

What amenities do you provide? 

We want to make this an experience to remember. We include ice cold bottled water and a picnic basket full of sweet and savory snacks, along with chairs, outdoor pillows, and blankets to stargaze in comfort.

Do I need to make reservations in advance?

Yes, advanced reservations are required, and we recommend booking early as our tour times fill up fast!

Are any of your tour locations wheelchair accessible?

Yes, our tour sites are wheelchair accessible.

What happens if a tour is canceled due to bad weather?

While we have over 300 cloud-free nights a year, sometimes weather ruins our plans. If that happens, we can either reschedule your tour for another night or will provide a full refund.

How many people can go on a tour?

On public tours, we have a maximum of 10 guests per tour. For private tours, we can accommodate up to 15 people. For anything larger, we offer custom special event packages, and you can access the proposal request here.

Sharing a drink under the stars sounds really romantic. Do you offer alcohol on the tours? Can we bring our own?

Due to strict liquor licensing in California, we don’t currently offer alcohol packages on our standard tours.

For custom corporate or special events, we can work with you to customize food and drink packages.

Do you do corporate events?

Absolutely! From executive retreats and team building to company-wide conferences and celebrations, we’ll work with you to create an event to remember. Get in touch with our special events team to get started.

Do you arrange field trips?

Yes, we can arrange field trips for school groups, boy scouts, and girl scouts. Our field trips are a fantastic way to teach astronomy and mythology, and kids love it. To get started, get in touch with our special events team.

How long does it take to complete the driving tour?

The tour takes 3-6 hours to complete, depending on how many stops you make, hike length, etc. You can always split the tour in two if you’re spending multiple days exploring!

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at the Joshua Tree Vistor Center on Park Blvd. We recommend parking to get situated (plug in your phone, launch the app, adjust auto-rotation and sleep settings), listen to the first introductory track, and then set off on the adventure!

How does the audio work? Do I have to press play?

The audio tour tracks are tied to GPS triggers, so they’ll play automatically on your drive. If you stop along the way or take any detours, your tour will pick up where you left off once you’re back on the road. You’ll only need to press the “Start Tour” button at the beginning of your day.

Why do I need to download the tour?

Joshua Tree National Park doesn’t have cell service, so downloading the tour allows you to enjoy all of the content without a connection.

Is the park entrance fee included in the audio tour price?

No, audio tour adventurers are responsible for their entrance fees. The cost is $30 per car for a 7-day pass, $55 for a Joshua Tree annual pass or $80 for an annual national park pass.

What should I bring on the tour?

Be prepared with at least two liters of water per person, sunscreen, light layers, a hat, chapstick, snacks/lunch, and bug spray. Hiking boots are recommended, but not necessary if you’ll only be driving through without hiking.

How much does the tour cost?

The tour costs $19.99 and includes lifetime access, including any future updates and content expansions.

I have people traveling with me. Do I need to buy the tour for each of us?

No, the tour price is per car! The only capacity limit is the number of seats :).

Do you offer refunds?

If you’re unsatisfied with your audio tour experience, please contact us. We can offer a refund if you purchased the tour on our website, but not if you purchased it through the App Store or Google Play Store.

When is the best time of year to take the tour?

Our driving tour can be enjoyed year-round, but if you’d like to include hiking, we recommend visiting October—May. If you’re visiting in summer, try to plan your hiking excursions in the early morning or early evening when it’s cooler.

Will the tour drain my phone’s battery?

Yes, using the tour will drain your battery, so we recommend keeping your phone plugged in and charging while enjoying the tour.

What’s the best time of day to enter the park?

During season (October—May) the park entrance lines can get really long. To avoid the crowds, we recommend arriving before 8:30 AM. The park is open 24 hours a day, so you can also avoid crowds later in the afternoon and evening.