Joshua Tree's Hidden Valley Self-Guided Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Expand your journey through Joshua Tree National Park with this self-guided walking tour of the Hidden Valley Nature Trail. This secluded valley is known for its stunning rock formations and plentiful desert flora… but it was also once a hideout for a gang of dangerous cattle rustlers! As you explore, you’ll learn about the geology of this place, its plant and animal life, the gang that once hid here, and so much more. This is Joshua Tree’s most popular trail for a reason!
After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
Savings tips: Walking tours: couples can share one tour by splitting headphones
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
For the best experience, bring headphones/earbuds for your walking tour.
The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.
Your password can be used on the same number of devices as travelers booked. Enter the same password on each device.
What To Expect
Joshua Tree National Park
Your tour of Joshua Tree begins at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center. From here, you'll drive through this weird, one-of-a-kind park where two deserts meet. Along the way, get ready to marvel at the bizarre Joshua trees for which the park is named, embark on awe-inspiring hikes, and catch a sunset you'll never forget. Note: The tour is over 0.92 miles long, with more than 16 audio stories, and takes about 1-2 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
Hidden Valley
Welcome to Hidden Valley Nature Trail! This amazing hike is one of the most popular in all of Joshua Tree, and for good reason! It’s relatively easy, takes less than an hour, and features some seriously cool rock formations!
Options
Joshua Tree's Hidden Valley Self-Guided Walking Tour
What‘s Included
Text transcripts of audio narration & Self-paced format (start/pause/resume anytime)
Pre-recorded audio commentary (downloadable or streamable)
This is a GPS-powered, self-guided audio tour that works through an app
Lifetime access (no expiration) with Customer support (chat/email)
Suggested walking/driving itinerary with stop-by-stop directions
This tour is NOT an entrance ticket to the park
Offline GPS-enabled route map
NO in-person guide or physical equipment (bring your own device & headphones)
Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
9 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Just So-So experience
Tracie D,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The self guided walking tour of Hidden Valley trail worked as described. Some of the “stories “ provided were interesting, most were not. It was helpful in keeping us on the trail as signage is poor in Joshua Tree NP.
Tip ahead
11DeniseB,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00One tip.....know what the heck a Joshua tree looks like before ask a person who thought I was crazy!! Nice park and cute town.
Waste of Money
Jefferson H,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00This was a waste of money. The narration only came on when I approached particular spots, but with no internet there in that isolated area (no bars at all) the narration only came on for 3 of the spots. What a disappointment.
Unusable
jeffersonh366,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00This was a waste of money since there is no internet access there in Hidden Valley. The app was unusable in those conditions, so I think I might have heard 3 selections over the mile-long course out of 20 selections that should have broadcast. The hike was well laid out by the park service, but I was very disappointed that I wasn't hearing anything from the app since it was location based, and wouldn't broadcast with no internet connection.
Detailed, Fun, and Educational
Linda B,Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very detailed, fun, and educational tour! This was a great way to enhance my hike! Excellent narration and timing was perfect.
Incredible tech companion!
Kelly G,May 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Funny, informative, and helpful – if you’re solo, this is a great companion for that hike. It also works offline on your phone and keeps you on track, lest you take a wrong turn here or there (I did!). The hike, especially in the early evening, is absolutely stunning – definitely worth taking both the tour and this guide along with you!
A different excursion
Erica U,Mar 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Well, interesting that the pictures showed a self guided walking tour. That’s what I read and expected. So I took an Uber from downtown. The man at the entry desk looked at me like I was crazy when I said I wanted to do the walking tour. According to her, there was no such thing, nor some kind of little shuttle, which i had also read was possible. Everything else said a car was definitely necessary. Just walking around wasn’t ok, according to her. So, i was kind of stuck. There’s nothing, really nothing, else there. I was totally immersed in my audiobook (my friend, Amy Gamerman’s just published, Amazon’best of Jan, ‘The Crazies’, about Montana ranchers and billionaires battling over multi-generational land for (or not) windfarms. So, i just walked, and walked, and walked (13,000steps, it turned out). That’s when I noticed that my book had devoured all but 1% of my battery (consider yourself warned!) So, rather than walk all the way back to Palm Springs, especially without my book, I ordered an Uber, saying I had no idea where I was (there wasn’t a clue) and couldn’t respond to any questions or confirmations. Bless Uber, a car pulled over. I would have jumped into any car, but it was Andy, the German Uber driver, as he introduced himself. It was a beautiful day, sunny, comfortable temperature and I wasn’t hiking, so I was fine, not even thirsty. I bought a little packet of Joshua tree seeds, so, if all goes well, i will grow my own Joshua Tree. So bring extra batteries or an extra phone
Was narration meant to sound silly?
863gracei,Mar 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00I found the reader’s tone almost humorous rather than factual. It felt like he was narrating a child’s experience. It was distracting so I turned it off.
Must do
Adventure32852001475,Jun 17, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was fantastic. We learned a lot about the geology and the history behind this place. A great way to learn about and explore the trail.
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