Joshua Tree 36-Hour Wilderness: Private Desert Camping

A couple of days alone in the Mojave with no signal, no schedule, no one else around.

A private 36-hour camping trip in Joshua Tree National Park where you and a guide choose the route (either continuous hiking with a moving camp or a basecamp setup with day explorations), and spend the time on whatever peaks, canyons and rock features draw you. All gear, meals and water are provided. The guide speaks English and knows the region's flora, fauna and history. Moderate fitness is needed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Joshua Tree wilderness

• Meet at selected time and place
• Set out into Joshua Tree National Park
• Explore canyons, trails, or mountain tops
• Discuss flora, fauna, and history
• Set up camp in wilderness
• Enjoy snacks, dinner, and breakfast

The experience

The operator builds this trip around your choice of style. You can hike from one location to the next, setting up camp only when the day is done, or pick a single basecamp and spend your time moving between it and the peaks and canyons you want to explore. Either way, you're moving through remote desert where you won't see another person. The guide works with you beforehand to pick the time and place to start, so the trip slots into your schedule and the weather works in your favor.

Everything you need to sleep, eat and drink is included. That means a tent and sleeping system if you want them, a backpack sized to carry your share, and all the water you'll need: critical in the Mojave. Meals are high-quality freeze-dried food tailored to your diet, whether that's vegan or not, and snacks cover sweet, salty and calorie-dense options for the trail. Breakfast is granola or oatmeal depending on conditions, and coffee or tea however you take it. Binoculars come along so you can watch the wildlife and the light change across the desert floor.

The 36-hour window is long enough that you stop racing the sun. You're not checking your phone or watching the clock to get back to the car before dark. That shift in pace (from the usual hurry to the rhythm of the desert itself) is what makes the trip feel different from a day hike. The guide is there to discuss what you're seeing and answer questions, but the route and the stops are yours to shape.

What’s included

• Tent and sleeping system if needed.
• backpack.
• all meals from dinner through breakfast.
• snacks and fresh fruit.
• all drinking water.
• binoculars.
• a live English-speaking guide who knows the region's ecology and history.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (8 to 70 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Paid on siteUS$ 35

Prices and times updated 28 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Wandering Mojave

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to move at your own pace without syncing to a group schedule: the 36-hour window and private format let you choose between continuous hiking or a basecamp setup based on what suits your energy that day.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the hiking style and the basecamp style on this trip?

Hiking style means you move between locations and set up camp each night, covering more ground and seeing different terrain. Basecamp style means you pick one location and spend all your time exploring from that single camp, returning to it between outings. You decide which suits you when you plan the trip with the guide.

What meals and water does the trip include?

The trip includes freeze-dried dinners and breakfasts tailored to your diet, trail snacks for energy, fresh fruit, and all the water you need for the desert. Coffee or tea is available in the morning however you prefer it, and the guide carries extra water to ensure you stay hydrated in the Mojave heat.

Do I need to bring my own tent and sleeping bag?

No. A tent and sleeping system are included if you need them, along with a backpack to carry your gear. You only need to bring hiking clothes and shoes.

How remote is the campsite, and will we see other people?

The campsite is in the wilderness deep enough that you won't run into other visitors. That isolation is part of what makes the 36 hours feel different from a regular day hike.

What should I know about fitness before booking this trip?

The trip requires at least moderate physical fitness. You'll be hiking and exploring for 36 hours across desert terrain, so stamina and comfort with walking on uneven ground matter.