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Joshua Tree & Anza-Borrego Ride
Spend five days cycling through Southern California’s beautiful desert landscapes
About the Ride
We begin our experience with sweeping desert views, diverse ecosystems, and the fascinating history of Joshua Tree National Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
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Palm Springs, CA
Known for its towering boulder piles and the twisty, spiky trees that speckle its landscape, Joshua Tree sits where the high Mojave Desert meets the lower Colorado Desert. Then on to Anza-Borrego, where jagged spires, desert flora, and endangered bighorn sheep await.
Expect majestic views, heart-pumping ascents, and time out of the saddle to immerse ourselves in the landscape. This is an ideal winter ride for intermediate to experienced cyclists, and with an e-bike rental, we can make the climbs achievable for newer riders too. This is a full five days of cycling with hotels at night.
Proceeds benefit our grants program and you can choose grantees when you register.
Event Details
Positive Planet Impact
Full Event Story
This philanthropic adventure will challenge you while immersing you in the stunning landscapes of Joshua Tree and Anza-Borrego. These two desert gems boast otherworldly rock formations, vast open skies, and vibrant ecosystems that make every mile a breathtaking experience. Ride through a wonderland of twisted Joshua trees, past towering boulder stacks, and into the wild, rugged beauty of Anza-Borrego’s canyons and hidden palm oases.
With daily cycling mileages suited for all riders, this fully supported journey lets you focus on the ride and connect with fellow adventurers while we handle all the details—from lodging and meals to snacks and luggage transport. Plus, you can choose from Climate Ride’s full list of grantees, ensuring that your effort has a meaningful impact. Climate Ride events unite passionate individuals, incredible routes, and a shared commitment to protecting our public lands.
Joshua Tree and Anza-Borrego are magnificent desert gems in Southern California, unique ecosystems as captivating as any on the national park list. This charity ride immerses you in the stunning landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. These two renowned desert parks boast otherworldly rock formations – a geology lover’s dream distinct even from nearby Death Valley National Park – vast open skies providing incredible desert view experiences, and surprisingly vibrant ecosystems that make every mile breathtaking. Seeing Joshua Tree National Park photos on social media is one thing, but experiencing this natural park by bike is truly special.
Explore iconic desert back roads
Our cycling tour route focuses on scenic paved back roads that showcase the best of this region. Imagine riding through a wonderland of twisted joshua tree specimens (the joshua tree itself!), past towering boulder stacks perfect for joshua tree rock climbing (though our focus is cycling!), and into the wild, rugged beauty of Anza-Borrego desert’s canyons and hidden palm oases near communities like Borrego Springs, CA. This joshua tree bike tour offers an intimate connection with the landscape, different from simply driving through or tackling short joshua tree hikes. It’s a curated joshua tree tour experience on two wheels.
Supported road cycling for all levels
This Climate Ride event is primarily a road bike tour designed for road bicycles. While we welcome new riders with enthusiasm, it’s important to note this multi-day event requires a good level of fitness. It might be challenging for absolute biking beginners, but it’s achievable with adequate preparation. Familiarity with basic road bike technique, understanding group riding etiquette, and some practice using cycling technique and practicing your hill climbing skills ahead of time will greatly enhance your enjoyment.
We provide daily route options and full support (SAG vans, mechanics, marked routes), share cycling tips for beginners and seasoned riders alike during orientation. Our goal is to help you succeed at biking in Joshua Tree’s beautiful environment. We handle the logistics — from lodging near Joshua Tree National Park (using comfortable motels/inns, not typically joshua tree camping or joshua tree national park hotels) and meals to snacks and luggage transport — so you can focus on the ride and connect with fellow adventurers.
More than simply donating to national parks
Participating in this charity ride is a powerful way to support climate action and conservation. Your fundraising efforts have a meaningful impact, as you can choose from Climate Ride’s extensive list of grantees working on environmental and active transportation causes.
Climate Ride events unite passionate individuals, offer incredible routes, and foster a shared commitment to protecting our public lands and promoting sustainable solutions. This trip to the Joshua Tree region lets you witness its beauty firsthand and contribute to its future, exploring the things to do in Joshua Tree that revolve around appreciating and protecting these unique California state park and national park treasures.
Photo Gallery
Map
Itinerary Overview
Itinerary subject to change, your Ride Guide will include full details.
We can lengthen or shorten each day’s routes depending on your ride goals!
Day 1
Cycling: 51.7 miles (5–7 hours, paved road)
Elevation gain/loss: +3,401’/-4,123′
Van transfer: 1 hour
Today is fully dedicated to exploring Joshua Tree National Park. At 8 am, we’ll gather in the lobby of our host hotel in Palm Springs, California in the morning. From there, we head to the north entrance of the park. Our route takes us through Joshua Tree’s most breathtaking landscapes, leading us up to Keys View for panoramic views of Coachella Valley.
Joshua Tree is a popular spot for rock climbing, so we’re likely to spot some climbers along our journey. After a refreshing climb from Keys View, we’ll bike down to the Oasis of Mara and then on to our hotel in Twentynine Palms. Both lunch and dinner are provided.
Day 2
Cycling: 65.8 miles (4–7 hours, paved road)
Elevation gain/loss: +3,518’/-5,673′
Van transfer: 1 Hour
Following breakfast, we’ll bike back into Joshua Tree National Park. Today’s journey includes a climb through the park followed by an exhilarating ride down through the diverse “life zones” of the desert—regions with similar plant and animal life. We’ll move past the iconic Joshua Trees and enter areas dominated by vast valleys of ocotillo and cholla cacti.
Prepare for an exciting descent of 3,600 feet into Box Canyon Road through the Mecca Hills Wilderness. This 20-mile stretch features captivating natural scenery and gentle descents, providing a serene journey that leads us to California’s main date growing region. All Meals are included.
Day 3
Cycling: 50.7 miles, (4-5 hours, paved road)
Elevation gain/loss: +4,572’/-4,572
Cuyacamoya Mountains Loop
After breakfast, we start the slow and steady ascent up the Cuyamaca Mountains on a beautiful road that will top out overlooking Anza Borrego. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park feels like a world away from the city and coast. Nestled on the eastern side of the Peninsular Ranges—natural barriers that block most Pacific storms—this is California’s largest state park, spanning 600,000 acres of breathtaking desert landscapes. Here, you’ll find rugged badlands, serene palm oases, winding slot canyons, and slopes dotted with resilient cacti.
The park is named Juan Bautista de Anza, the Spanish explorer who journeyed across this desert in 1774, along with the Spanish word “borrego,” a nod to the region’s native bighorn sheep.
After a thrilling descent, we’ll enjoy lunch and have time to explore the town of Borrego Springs or kick back at the pool. All meals are included.
Day 4
Cycling: 40.2 miles (3-4 hours, paved road)
Elevation gain/loss: +1,817’/ -1,817′
Post-breakfast, we’ll tackle a nice and easy 40-mile guided loop ride through the desert, starting with a fun climb through Anza-Borrego State park and ending with a nice cool down ride through the flats and past dozens of huge sculptures that Borrego Springs is renowned for.
In the afternoon, we’ll have an opportunity to go for a hike through the desert.
Day 5
Cycling: 38 miles (2-3 hours, paved road)
Elevation gain/loss: +1,845 ‘/-1,218’
Van transfer: 1 Hour and 30 minutes
On our last day, we’ll ride through the dramatic landscapes of the Badlands and the wildflower-filled springs of Anza-Borrego until we reach the Salton Sea where we’ll learn about the environmental issues surrounding it and some of Southern California’s complex water issues.
In the afternoon we’ll shuttle for 1.5 hours back to Palm Springs and drop off at the starting hotel or the airport. We recommend booking flights out of Palm Springs no earlier than 6:00 PM.
FAQs and More Info
What does my fundraising support, and why is it so important?
Cyclists can choose from the more than 100 incredible grantee organizations in our network! One of the things that make Climate Ride such an effective charitable event is that you can select the organization(s) you wish to fundraise for from our extensive list of grantees organizations. Our grantees were selected for their work on the environment, conservation, sustainability, climate education, and active transportation advocacy. At the end of the year, Climate Ride grants the proceeds from our events to these hard-working organizations.
Travel information
We meet in Palm Springs at 8am on the start date at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Cathedral City Palm Springs.
You can park your car for the week at the hotel. We highly recommend that you arrive the night before so that you are on time for our early morning departure.
On the last day of the event, we’ll return the host hotel in Palm Springs or drop you at the Palm Springs International Airport. All departing flights should be scheduled for after 4:45 pm.
Can I rent a bike?
Yes, you can rent a bike through our local outfitter, including e-bikes. They will bring your bike to the trip start. Rental prices vary for the week, depending on the style of the bike.
More information is available once you register.
Accommodations and single supplements
This is an all-hotel, double occupancy trip. A single supplement is available for $500 for the entire trip, if you prefer your own room and there is availability at the hotels (please inquire after you register). If you sign up as a solo traveler, we will do our best to pair you with a roommate of the same gender. If we cannot find a roommate, then you will be charged a single supplement fee of $500.
For the pre-trip hotel, we recommend the Homewood Suites by Hilton Cathedral City Palm Springs.
On night one, we’ll stay at the Holiday Inn in Twenty-nine Palms. On nights 2, 3, and 4, we have the entire Hacienda del Sol in Borrego Springs, so you don’t have to move! Bring a swimsuit!
What is included? What’s NOT included?
Included:
- Guides and expert support
- Lodging
- Vehicle support and bike support
- Plenty of snacks, sustenance and good cheer along the route
- Meals as specified in itinerary (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Tips at restaurants for lunch and dinners
Not Included:
- Bike & personal cycling equipment (pedals etc). You can rent (see above).
- Bike helmet (required)
- Transportation to/from the start point hotel
- Travel/med insurance
- Alcoholic beverages or soft drinks
- Guide gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
Fundraising and transfer deadlines | important dates
| $500 to be raised by: | TBD |
| $1,750 to be raised by: | TBD |
| $3,500 to be raised by: | TBD |
| Transfer deadline: | TBD |
Note: If you’d like to register after or near a fundraising deadline, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get up to speed!
What is the Climate Ride Joshua Tree & Anza-Borrego event really like? What areas do we ride through, what kind of cycling is involved, and what should participants know about safety and beginner suitability?
Our Joshua Tree & Anza-Borrego Cycling Tour is an unforgettable multi-day charity ride exploring the breathtaking desert landscapes of Southern California. This journey takes you on carefully selected scenic back roads near the iconic Joshua Tree National Park and through the vast, beautiful Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. You’ll get to experience the unique environment famous from those Joshua Tree National Park photos you’ve seen on your social media feeds, but from the intimate perspective of your bike! It’s a fantastic trip to Joshua Tree region, focused on cycling advocacy.
Ride difficulty & terrain
This is primarily a road bike tour, designed for road bikes. While we appreciate all forms of cycling, the route isn’t designed for teaching how to ride a bike, and the focus isn’t on technical bike trail riding or learning how to ride a mountain bike like you might find elsewhere.
We aim for enjoyable routes suitable for endurance road cycling. While beginner bikers are welcomed if they have appropriate fitness for multi-day rides, some preparation is key. Familiarity with basic road bike technique for beginners and some practice with cycling technique and hill climbing will definitely enhance your experience.
We provide support, but consider these cycling tips only for beginners who train adequately and understand multi-day demands. This is different than, say, riding our C&O Canal Trail trip.
You’ll experience the Anza Borrego desert landscape, passing near communities like Borrego Springs, CA. The focus is biking in Joshua Tree’s greater region, not activities like Joshua Tree rock climbing or detours to Death Valley National Park.
Bike safety
Bike safety is our top priority. All participants must follow bicycle rules of the road and state laws. Wearing approved bicycle helmets (a proper safety helmet that is less than 3 years old) is mandatory at all times while cycling. Our support crew provides guidance, SAG (Support and Gear), and reinforces bike safety tips throughout the event for comprehensive bicycle safety. Please see our Safety Page for more information.
More questions?
Be sure to review our general FAQ and policies or contact us!
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