A mystical odyssey through California's surreal desert lands
A mystical odyssey through California's surreal desert lands
Lone Pine, CA 93549Palm Springs, CA 92262
Trip overview
Embark on an otherworldly journey through the dramatic heart of the California deserts. From the surreal salt flats of Death Valley to the whimsical, star-crowned boulder piles of Joshua Tree, this trip captures the vast, mystical essence of the American Southwest.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — Lone Pine
Alabama Hills
Wander through rounded, golden rock formations set against the jagged, snow-capped backdrop of Mount Whitney and the Sierra Nevada.
Movie Road, Lone Pine, CA 93549
Father Crowley Overlook
Peer into the deep, rugged expanse of Rainbow Canyon, a volcanic landscape often frequented by low-flying military jets practicing maneuvers.
CA-190, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Strap on your boots to traverse these iconic, shifting sand dunes, framed by towering purple mountains under a vast sky.
CA-190, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328
The Oasis at Death Valley
A historic, spring-fed oasis resort offering a lush, luxurious respite in the middle of the stark desert wilderness.
328 Greenland Blvd, Death Valley, CA 92328
Day 2 — Death Valley National Park
Badwater Basin
Walk out onto the surreal, geometric salt crusts at the lowest point in North America, sitting 282 feet below sea level.
Badwater Rd, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328
Artist's Palette
Marvel at the multi-colored volcanic hills splashed with shades of turquoise, pink, and gold along a scenic one-way drive.
Artist's Drive, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328
Zabriskie Point
Take in the breathtaking labyrinth of golden, eroded badlands, especially dramatic during the golden hour of sunset.
CA-190, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328
The Last Kind Words Saloon
A character-rich, Western-themed saloon serving hearty fare amidst cowboy memorabilia and vintage taxidermy.
328 Greenland Blvd, Death Valley, CA 92328
Day 3 — Death Valley National Park
Dante's View
Stand atop the mountain crest for an unparalleled panoramic view of the entire Death Valley basin stretching out far below.
Dantes View Rd, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328
Kelso Dunes
Hike the massive singing sand dunes of Mojave National Preserve, which emit a mysterious low-frequency booming sound when sand slides down the slopes.
Kelbaker Rd, Mojave National Preserve, Baker, CA 92309
Peggy Sue's 50's Diner
Step back in time at this delightfully kitschy, authentic 1950s roadside diner serving classic burgers, shakes, and home-style cherry pie.
35654 Yermo Rd, Yermo, CA 92398
Route 66 Motel
An iconic, vintage Mother Road motel featuring themed rooms, retro round beds, and historic neon charm.
912 E Main St, Barstow, CA 92311
Day 4 — Amboy
Amboy Crater
Hike into the cinder cone of an extinct volcano surrounded by a vast, stark, black basalt lava field along historic Route 66.
Route 66, Amboy, CA 92304
Arch Rock Trail
A short, scenic hike leading to a magnificent, natural 30-foot granite arch nestled amongst whimsical boulder piles.
Pinto Basin Rd, Joshua Tree National Park, CA 92277
Campbell House
A historic, quiet desert estate oasis offering peaceful stone cottage accommodations and stellar stargazing opportunities.
82822 Torch End, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Day 5 — Joshua Tree National Park
Cholla Cactus Garden
Walk among thousands of densely packed, glowing 'teddy bear' cholla cacti during the soft, ethereal light of sunrise or early morning.
Pinto Basin Rd, Joshua Tree National Park, CA 92277
Keys View
Stand at the crest of the Little San Bernardino Mountains for a sweeping view of the San Andreas Fault, Coachella Valley, and Salton Sea.
Keys View Rd, Joshua Tree National Park, CA 92277
Barker Dam Nature Trail
An easy loop trail showcasing a historic, early-1900s water reservoir, monzogranite boulder heaps, and potential desert bighorn sheep sightings.
Barker Dam Rd, Joshua Tree National Park, CA 92277
Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace
A legendary, rustic live-music venue and roadhouse serving up world-class musicians alongside delicious, wood-fired mesquite BBQ.
53688 Pioneertown Rd, Pioneertown, CA 92268
Day 6 — Desert Hot Springs
Cabot's Pueblo Museum
Explore an extraordinary, hand-built Hopi-style pueblo museum crafted from reclaimed desert materials and filled with Native American artifacts.
67616 Desert View Ave, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Ascend over two miles in a rotating cable car to the pristine wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park, where desert scrub transforms into alpine forest.
1 Tramway Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Sherman's Deli & Bakery
Celebrate the end of your desert journey with gigantic pastrami sandwiches and legendary baked goods at this landmark Kosher-style family deli.
401 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Experiences & guides
Bookable tours and stops worth a detour along this route.
Guide content may not reflect current conditions. Always verify information before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
The Desert Odyssey road trip covers about 724 mi and roughly 15h 26m of driving, comfortably spread across about 6 days.
This itinerary maps out 22 stops from Lone Pine, CA 93549 to Palm Springs, CA 92262. Highlights include Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Badwater Basin, and Cholla Cactus Garden.
It begins in Lone Pine, CA 93549 and ends in Palm Springs, CA 92262, following a mapped, road-following route the whole way.
The estimated cost is around $1,787, covering fuel, lodging, food, and activities. Your actual total varies with the season, your pace, and the choices you make along the way.
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