NOvember 13-17, 2025
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.
November 13-17, 2025
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 beneficiaries when you register.
Can’t make it this year?
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 beneficiaries, 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.
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 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 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 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 reccomend booking flights out of Palm Springs no earlier than 6:00 PM
Ready to get started?
FAQs and More Info
What does my fundraising support, and why is it so important?
Cyclists can choose from the more than 100 incredible beneficiary 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 beneficiary organizations. Our beneficiaries 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.
What is the single supplement cost?
If you would like to have your own room every night of the trip, the cost is $500.
If you request a roommate, we’ll do our best to pair you with someone, but if we cannot, the single supplement fee will apply.
What is Included? What’s NOT included?
Included:
- Guides and expert support
- Lodging at hotels and inns
- 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
Fundraising Deadlines:
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!
More Questions?
Be sure to review our general FAQ and policies or contact us!
