• Sunrise at the Cholla Cactus Garden

    Joshua Tree

    National Park California

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  • Pinto Basin Road Renovation

    Pinto Basin Road is being renovated. On weekdays you may encounter travel delays of up to 30 minutes. Cholla Cactus Garden is closed on weekdays. Cottonwood Visitor Center hours are 9 to 4 on weekdays, 8 to 4 weekends. More »

  • Rattlesnake Canyon Will Remain Closed Through May

    To provide additional time to mitigate the vandalism, Rattlesnake Canyon will remain completely closed to the public for another 30 days. More »

Keys Ranch Tour Goes Reservation Only

Beginning January 1, 2011 reservations will be required for the Keys Ranch Guided Walking Tour. The park will no longer admit participants at the ranch gate on a first come, first served basis.

In the past, ranch tours could accommodate visitors arriving at the ranch gate without a reservation. Due to increased popularity, that is no longer the case. Visitors will now be required to make a reservation by phone or at the Oasis Visitor Center or the Joshua Tree Visitor Center at least a day prior to their requested tour date. Reservations can be made up to three months in advance.

The ranger-guided tour of the ranch includes the colorful story of the 60 years Bill and Frances Keys spent working together to make a life and raise their five children in this remote location. It lasts 90 minutes.

Tours are offered at 10 am and 1pm daily from October to May. The cost is $5.00 per person aged 12 and over and $2.50 for children 6 to 11. Children under six are admitted free. Senior and Access Pass (Golden Age and Golden Access passport) holders pay $2.50.

To reserve a spot on a tour, or for information about living-history tours or artist tours, call 760-367-5555.
  • Keys Ranch Keys Ranch

    Take the guided walking tour of the ranch. Read More

Did You Know?

Desert Queen Ranch branding iron

In the high desert country that was to become Joshua Tree National Park, rugged individuals tried their luck at cattle ranching, mining, and homesteading. William Keys and his family are particularly representative of the hard work and ingenuity it took to settle and prosper in the Mojave Desert. More...