Joshua Tree: Open Air Hummer Tour & Keys Point Overlook

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/18

Duration3h–5h

GroupUp to 18

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Open-air hummer climbs, wild rock trails and valley views stretch forever

You’ll feel wind on your face as you ride an open-air Hummer into Joshua Tree’s wild heart, climb up to Keys Point for endless views, and wander ancient rock trails with a local guide who knows every plant and story here. Expect real desert air, snacks when you need them most, and moments of quiet that stick with you long after.

3h–5h

Step-by-step itinerary

Joshua Tree National Park Hummer Tour

Depart from Palm Springs Art Museum
Shuttle to Joshua Tree city
Switch to H-1 Military Hummer
Climb to Keys Point overlook
View valley and Mexico from overlook
Optional one-mile walk with guide
Optional half-mile walk at rock formations

The Experience

“Don’t worry, the wind keeps you awake better than coffee,” our guide Tom grinned as we climbed into the open-air Hummer just outside Joshua Tree. I had no idea what that meant until we hit the first stretch of sand and the cold morning air slapped my cheeks awake—like, really awake. The sun was barely up but already painting everything gold and pink. I could smell creosote and something almost sweet in the air, maybe from those weirdly beautiful Joshua trees themselves. Tom started pointing out different plants, telling us which ones were older than America. He’d grown up nearby and you could tell he loved this place—he even stopped once to let a lizard cross the dirt track. It’s funny what sticks with you.

The drive up to Keys Point was bumpier than I expected (hold onto your hat if you’re sitting in the back), but every time we stopped, it felt like someone had switched on a wider lens for my eyes. At the overlook, Tom showed us how far you could see—the Salton Sea glinting way off to one side, Mexico somewhere in the haze beyond that. He pointed out the San Andreas Fault below us, tracing its jagged line with his finger like he was showing us a family secret. I tried taking photos but honestly, none of them caught how huge it all felt or how quiet it suddenly got when everyone stopped talking at once.

I took the optional mile walk through those granite formations—felt rough and cool under my palm when I leaned on one to tie my shoe—and wandered between spiky Joshua trees that looked like they’d been drawn by Dr. Seuss after a long night out. There was this moment where Tom explained some old Cahuilla stories about these rocks and for a second I forgot about my phone buzzing in my pocket or anything else outside this strange desert world. Snacks tasted better than they should’ve (maybe because I’d worked up an appetite scrambling over boulders) and bottled water never felt so necessary.

If you’re thinking about a day trip to Joshua Tree from Palm Springs or Yucca Valley, riding in that open-air Hummer is half thrill ride, half slow-motion nature lesson—with plenty of weird laughter when someone inevitably gets dust in their teeth (me). I still think about that silence at Keys Point sometimes—it’s not something you find just anywhere.

What’s included

Your day covers general admission into Joshua Tree, all transport by rugged H1 Hummer (plus shuttle if starting from Palm Springs), bottled water whenever you need it, light snacks along the way, plus a certified wilderness guide who shares stories as you explore—just don’t forget your camera or an extra layer for those chilly winds at higher elevations.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Outdoor Adventures, Inc.