California’s Desert Parks

Arrive in Palm Springs and gather this evening for a welcome orientation and dinner. 

After breakfast, depart Palm Springs and drive to Borrego Springs, a small town lying within California’s largest state park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Hike to natural desert palm oasis with the only palm native to the Golden State, the California fan palm, and hopefully spot the native desert bighorn sheep in its natural environment. Following lunch, hike a slot canyon to see the dramatic effect flowing water can have on the desert landscape. After our hike, head back to Palm Springs for an afternoon at leisure.

This morning visit the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, a culture and history museum of the Agua Caliente People. Enjoy lunch in Palm Springs before driving through Mecca on our way to Joshua Tree. Enter through the southern entrance of the park to experience the unusual rock formations and dramatic transition from the distinctive ocotillo of the Colorado Desert to the Joshua Trees of the Mojave Desert. Arrive at our accommodations for the night, and settle in to our cozy and newly renovated Airstreams. Take a short hike at Hidden Valley before enjoying a dinner and bonfire under the stars. 

This morning explore Joshua Tree then relax with a box lunch at Amboy Crater, a dormant cinder cone volcano. After lunch continue through Mojave Preserve past the Kelso Dunes and into the Death Valley region. Stop at Badwater to see the spring-fed Badwater Pool, home to unique flora and fauna. Take a walk on Badwater Basin, a saltwater flat at 282 feet below sea level which makes it the lowest place in North America. Afterwards, continue to Furnace Creek, the heart of Death Valley National Park and check in to our accommodations for the next two nights.

After breakfast, drive up to Dante’s View at 5,475 ft to take in the panoramic views of the valley. Continue to Mosaic Canyon for a short hike then drive to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes before lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon enjoy an optional short hike at Golden Canyon or relax with the hotel amenities. Head to Artist's Palette for sunset and watch the light fade on the beautiful pastel volcanic ash. After dinner at our inn, check out the night sky and see why Death Valley is recognized as a gold tier Dark Sky Park, one of only eleven in the U.S.  

Before breakfast, head to Zabriskie Point for sunrise and watch the morning sunlight slowly illuminate the badlands and Panamint Mountains. After breakfast back at the inn, drive to Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and learn about the unique desert springs, home to the endemic Devil’s Hole pupfish. Enjoy a final stroll and picnic lunch then head to Las Vegas for return flights home.