California National Park circle: Sand to Snow, Joshua Tree, Death Valley and Yosemite

After an early morning camping breakfast we travel to Joshua Tree National Park. The driving route through the park offers a stunning journey through its rugged desert landscapes. Start with a visit to Hidden Valley, a natural rock-enclosed area that provides scenic trails and dramatic rock formations perfect for exploring. Next, head to Barker Dam, where you can walk a short loop trail to see a historic dam surrounded by ancient petroglyphs and desert flora. Continue on to Keys View, a breathtaking lookout offering panoramic vistas of the Coachella Valley and the San Andreas Fault. Afterward, stop at the quirky Skull Rock, a natural formation shaped like a giant skull, ideal for a quick hike or photo. Before you leave, make sure to pull over for a photo stop amidst the park’s namesake Joshua Trees, their unique, twisting shapes standing tall against the desert sky, making for an unforgettable desert experience.

Camping – Joshua Tree National Park
Drive time – 2 hours

We will drive from Las Joshua Tree National Park to Bishop, CA, through Death Valley offers an unforgettable journey through some of the most extreme and awe-inspiring desert landscapes. Start at Dante’s View, where you can take in sweeping panoramic views of the valley from 5,500 feet above sea level. Next, head to Zabriskie Point, a famous overlook offering stunning vistas of the golden, rolling badlands. From there, make your way to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, where you can walk across the vast salt flats and marvel at the otherworldly terrain. Continue to Furnace Creek, an oasis in the heart of the valley, where you can stop for a break or visit the visitor center. Finally, wrap up your Death Valley tour with a stop at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, where towering sand dunes create a beautiful, windswept landscape perfect for photography or a short hike before heading out toward the Sierra Nevada and Lone Pine.

If the Tioga Pass is still closed we will reroute and enter Yosemite National Park from the west and stay in the Fresno area tonight.

Camping – Lone Pine, CA
Drive time – 5 hours

Our drive from Lone Pine, CA, over the Tioga Pass into Yosemite National Park offers breathtaking mountain scenery and iconic landmarks. As you ascend the pass, you’ll be surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Sierra Nevada before descending into the park’s high-country meadows. Your first stop is at Tuolumne Grove, where you can walk among towering ancient Sequoias, marveling at these giants of the forest. Continuing the drive, you’ll reach a stunning viewpoint overlooking Yosemite Valley, providing a dramatic first glimpse of the park’s famous granite cliffs and waterfalls. From here, take in the view of Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in North America, cascading down in powerful streams. The tour offers a striking contrast between the tranquil beauty of Tuolumne Grove and the grand, awe-inspiring vistas of Yosemite Valley, creating an unforgettable introduction to one of the world’s most famous national parks.

Accommodation – Yosemite National Park
Drive time – 5 hours