Geology Tour Road
Joshua Tree National Park
Explore Geology Tour Road in Joshua Tree National Park — an 18-mile backcountry adventure through some of the park’s most awe-inspiring rock formations and desert landscapes. This narrated video takes you on a scenic 4x4 drive with 16 interpretive stops, showcasing ancient rock layers, gold mine ruins, volcanic intrusions, and natural water catchments like Squaw Tank.
Learn how billion-year-old rocks like Pinto Gneiss were formed, see remnants of 19th-century mining operations, and discover how desert weathering shaped the massive boulders and rock piles seen throughout the park today.
Whether you’re planning a visit or exploring from home, this guide offers a virtual geology tour filled with insight, history, and incredible desert scenery.
Articles
More on Joshua Tree National Park
About the Joshua Tree
Touring the Big Boulders at Joshua Tree National Park
Unique Rock Formations.
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Beginning 6.5 miles north of the Cottonwood Visitor Center, this dead-end dirt road runs along the edge of Pinto Basin, crosses several dry washes, and then winds up through canyons in the Eagle Mountains. The first 9 + miles of the road are within the park boundary. Beyond that point is BLM land. Several old mines are located near this road.
Red Rock Canyon, NV
Red Rock Canyon is less then an hour's drive west of Las Vegas and has many significant
geologic features, including a section of the Keystone Fault. It's a great place
for hiking and rock scrambling.
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The Desert Environment
The North American Deserts
Desert Geological Terms
Are you interested in the temperatures in the
desert?Click here to see current desert temperatures!
