Joshua Tree National Park Backpacking Trip

Join WILD for a once-in-a-lifetime trek through the surreal and fragile desert landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park.

With its iconic rock formations, ancient twisted trees, and stark beauty, Joshua Tree is one of the most breathtaking wilderness areas in the United States — but it’s also under threat. The Joshua tree, a symbol of this unique ecosystem, is facing extinction due to climate change and drought. This may be one of the last generations to see this landscape in its current form.

During this trip, we’ll learn about this fragile wilderness as we spend four nights backpacking through remote sections of the backcountry. Students will carry all of their own gear, hike by day, and sleep under incredible star-filled skies by night — completely off the grid, with no cell service or Wi-Fi.

Along the way, we’ll learn backcountry skills like route finding, Leave No Trace ethics, desert survival strategies, and team decision-making. If you're new to backpacking, don’t worry — WILD provides most of the gear you’ll need.

This rare opportunity is open to all high school students, with priority given to Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants, followed by upperclassmen.

Please note: We require a minimum of 7 students to run the trip. If the program is canceled due to low enrollment, deposits will be refunded minus a $50 administrative fee.