
Where is Geology Tour Road?
Usa, north-america
29 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in California, cruising through Joshua Tree National Park. Wanna ditch the pavement for a bit? Take the Geology Tour Road! This 18-mile dirt track kicks off just west of Jumbo Rocks Campground and plunges you into a landscape shaped by crazy erosion, earthquakes, and ancient volcanoes. Seriously, it's stunning.
The first few miles can be a bit of a bumpy ride with some ruts, and later on you'll hit patches of soft sand. Most cars can handle the start of the road in good weather, but keep an eye out for the sign recommending 4x4 β you'll definitely want that if you're planning to go further and tackle the loop beyond Squaw Tank. Leave the RV at home, though, this road isn't suitable for those.
Allow a good two hours to soak it all in. The rock formations are super cool, and you can grab a map or brochure at the start of the road to learn about what you're seeing at the 16 marked stops along the way. It's one of the best backcountry drives in Joshua Tree, a total must-do!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 29 km
- Difficulty
- hard
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