The Climbing Life Guides

1.2 mi

Excellent experience with guides Murphy and Emery. They were thoughtful, fun, safe, professional…read more Couldn't ask for more.

An amazing afternoon with a stellar guide (James Murphy) back in mid-April during Spring Break. Our…read morekids (10 & 12 yo) and my wife and I met up for an afternoon and he set up a couple top ropes and coached us all through the tough spots incredibly well. Had a BLAST!

Seth Pettit (owner) and his lovely girlfriend Simone Steger having fun on the rocks.

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Cliffhanger Guides

(217 reviews)

1.8 mi

Five stars all the way!…read more First, I had fun and didn't die so, in my opinion, my adventure with Cliffhanger was a big success. Second, the whole experience was seamless. Booking was quick and easy. Their questionnaire about my experience, preferences, etc was thorough. Pricing was fair. They are conveniently located. And the owners do a lot of good work in the community. Third, my guide- Mike C- was just the absolute best. Relentlessly upbeat, patient with my questions, the essence of calm. This young man cheerfully and gently verbally assisted me beyond several points where I would have just... stopped. He was an excellent safety and technique coach but without his encouragement and, again, unflappable calm, I would not have felt as confident or relaxed. He's very gifted and I'm lucky to have been assigned to him as he crafted an amazing experience. Fourth, food was a real surprise! I expected the barest minimum but it was nicer than anything I would have eaten at home! Overall, if you're wanting to rock climb and need a guide, Cliffhanger is the way to go. I have nothing but praise for them.

Could not have asked for a better experience. First time Rick climbing at 49 y/o with a super…read moreexcited 18 y/o nephew. Lots of doubts. Saleh gave me confidence when booking that we were in good hands. Andy our guide was amazing inspiring confidence while knowing that safety was top priority. We successfully navigated all the climbs. I did things that felt impossible with Andy's mild encouragement. At the end of the day, Andy took us to an epic bonus sunset climb that made the day of of those inspirational experiences that will stay with you forever and gave us a once in a lifetime uncle/nephew bonding moment that will stay with us for a lifetime. Like nothing we've ever experienced before. Thank you Cliffhangers for a day we will never forget reaching heights that seemed impossible from the bottom.

Rock climbing at Joshua Tree

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Stone Adventures

1.7 mi

Our Guide Nick was absolutely great! He made my partner and I feel safe with rock climbing and…read morerappelling. It was our first time doing any kind of activity like that, and although my partner is athletic I am not lol. However, we were both able to do the same kind of routes and everything together. It was something that opened my mind to doing it again in the future! Would 10/10 recommend. When we went they did accommodate our experience to a little bit of everything with rock climbing, scrambling and rappelling. I would say that you do have to be prepared to spend outside in very hot sun. Our guide let us rock climb a spot that had shade but going to the location we were in the sun for a bit. We always had a double safety, so of course you would be doing the majority of the work on your own but in moments you feel like you would fall there was a security behind it which allowed you to put more trust in your abilities.

Our group of 10 boy scouts had an awesome experience rocking climbing with Stone Adventures. Our…read moreguides, Mason, Ryan and Nick were encouraging, patient and fun! The weather was perfect and the area the boys were climbing at was quiet and felt really secluded. Mason is also very helpful and flexible in helping our group of boy scouts complete their climbing merit badges. Thank you for such a wonderful experience. I will not hesitate to recommend them to anyone!

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Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School

(50 reviews)

2.9 mi

My partner and I had the most unforgettable experience. We are moderate climbers but had only a…read morelittle experience outdoors. Tiowa was incredible; so patient and knowledgeable. He may have been the best guide we've ever had. Lead us on some fun easy routes and pushed us just enough to get into an intermediate. Highly recommend. Great for all skill levels and a unique way to experience Joshua Tree.

I had the most amazing experience through the Joshua Tree Climbing School. If it weren't for my…read morefriend Lea, who introduced me to indoor climbing, I probably would have never tried to enhance my skills through an Intermediate class up in J.T. This would be my second time climbing outdoors, my first time in Joshua Tree, and one of the best things that I've ever done. Steve was our instructor and he was a no B.S. kind of dude. He was extremely knowledgeable and trustworthy, and pushed our group to go above and beyond their capabilities--not to instill fear but more to show us that we're so much more capable of what we think we can do. Day 1 started with Steve teaching us several knots that we would need to know to create slings, extend ropes, and tie in and set anchors. Then he showed us all of the anchor devices and techniques. Once we were schooled on the tools we needed to set anchors, he set us free to set up some anchors around the boulders around us. He always checked our work and critiqued what we did right, wrong and how we could have improved it. After about a half day of anchor lectures and practice settings, he set up some top ropes for us to climb for the rest of the afternoon. I'm a 5.9 climber in the gym, and he set up some 5.7 cracks that I found really difficult and challenging, but a lot of fun. On Day 2 we drove to another part of the park. This was the real test. Not only did we have to scramble up the side of a mountain with gear, but we also had to partner up and set up anchors, and then repel off of them. Again, he always checked our work and safety was always a priority. I never felt jeopardized, but always challenged. Once we repelled off of our first anchor sets, he let us top rope off of them. The second part of Day 2 got even more interesting when he led us back to the top of our first anchors, showed us how to tear them down, and then led us to even higher ground "free soloing" it up the mountain (i.e., scrambling without rope) to set up another set of anchors. I have to admit that I was scurrred, but I put all of my faith and trust in Steve and my group. Steve would remind us that if there was something we felt uncomfortable with to let him know so he could rope us in or spot us from behind. Our group was cohesive--we looked out for each other, checked each other for safety and never left anyone behind. It was pretty gnarly (the best descriptive word for this) to sitting at the top of a mountain, setting up anchors, looking over the edge for accuracy and then having complete faith in your work by repelling off of it and then top roping it over and over. I really had no idea what I was in for when Lea invited me to go with her on this weekend excursion, but it was worth every penny. Not only did I improve my climbing skills, but I also walked away with some pretty cool mountaineering survivor skills, a new set of friends, and last but not least, bruised and scraped knees and knuckles. In short, Steve RAWKS!!!!

Rock climbing instruction on day two of a weekend basic climbing class.

Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School and Guides

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Vertical Adventures

(57 reviews)

1.2 mi

I've been climbing with Vertical Adventures since 2019, and they are the BEST when it comes to rock…read moreclimbing in Joshua Tree! Jarad the owner is the most chill, adventurous climber and outdoorsman. I've taken classes from him ranging from all sorts of rock climbing adventures: anchor practice, climbing technique, multipitch, etc. Not only will you have a fun and safe outing with Jarad, you'll also walk away with confidence and knowledge, as Jarad is an excellent teacher. My technique, skills, and confidence has grown substantially under Jarad's guidance. Also Jarad knows Joshua Tree SO well! The amount of knowledge he has of the area climbs, hikes, and beyond is incredible. His recommendation's of climbs to pursue outside of the guided coaching is always spot on. If you want to climb in a world class place like Josh, you must call Vertical Adventures!

Incredible rock climbing outfit. Chris was so amazing with our kids 8, 6, 5. Would highly recommend…read moreand we can't wait to bring our youngest when she turns 4 next year. Felt very safe. Was very well run.

Extending an anchor with a static rope in our Anchors Course

Family Joy!

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Hidden Valley

Joshua Tree's Uprising Adventure Guides, Inc

(36 reviews)

2.1 mi

This crew was great. Supplied our large YMCA group with ample numbers of guides. They clearly are…read morepassionate about what they do, knowledgeable of the area, and were friendly and accommodating. Highly recommended.

We use Uprising for our cubscouts and this is my family's second experience climbing with the…read moreguides. They are so patient and informative in assisting climbers reach their goals.

Our niece Sarah on her first outdoor climb in Joshua Tree

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High Desert Guiding

(1 review)

1.3 mi

Nate was a wonderful guide! I found him on a google search and glad I did! Excellent customer…read moreservice in the booking process, and he was flexible with me on rescheduling when I had a last minute emergency. Finally made it out to Joshua Tree this past weekend and had a great time! Nate planned some climbs that fit our experience levels and was very knowledgeable and easy to be around! We had fun and felt safe! Thank you, Nate! We will be back!

From the owner: Experience climbing in Joshua Tree with AMGA Certified Rock Guide, Nate Pakula. With 15 years of…read moreguiding and climbing experience in Joshua Tree, Nate will craft the perfect adventure for you. Climb classic routes, learn or improve your climbing skills, and explore the desert. Beginner to advanced. Half and full day courses available.

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Rock Climb Every Day

4.9

(63 reviews)

3.0 mi

Wow - just WOW! Last Sunday (November 22, 2020) I finally got to check Rock Climbing off my bucket…read morelist, thanks to "Rock Climb Every Day" (yes, they are taking reservations during COVID and implementing all the necessary COVID protocols). Last year I successfully climbed to the top of Yosemite's Half Dome - without a doubt, it was one of the most memorable + accomplishment-filled outdoorsy adventures I've ever experienced. My first rock climbing adventure is definitely up there. In fact, my Half Dome adventure is what sparked my interest in Rock Climbing. By the way, if you're looking for an amazing Half Dome experience, I highly recommend REI Adventures and book with Scott - be sure to check out my 5-star "Half Dome Day Hike" Yelp review. Scott is an avid Rock Climber and he knows all the cool and underground rock climbing spots :) I've found that it's challenging to find people who love outdoorsy adventures like me. So, I usually end up doing these type of activities solo. I book directly through adventure companies to help ensure I have a safe, education and of course a FUN experience. Booking through "Rock Climb Every Day" couldn't have been more perfect from start to finish. In fact, I'm looking forward to booking another adventure with them. They cater to all levels of rock climbing from beginners to experienced. Most of all, they know how to make outdoor rock climbing easy and fun. They offer beginner rock climbing classes, rock climbing adventures, rappelling adventures, private instruction, family climbing packages, multi-day packages, parties + groups, climbing anchor class, sport climbing, trad climbing and much more! I consider myself a complete novice rock climber. Absolutely no experience - not even indoor climbing. Crazy, right? But I do consider myself athletic as I competed as a pro-Am Muay Thai fighter for almost a decade. Even with that kind of experience, I found the climb to challenging, scary, but most of all, FUN. Our instructor Jim was knowledgeable, timely, communicative and fun! Without his guidance, I don't think I could have made it to the top of the 5.7 climb. He was there every step (literally every inch) of the way. It was truly a "team" effort. We completed 6 climbs ranging from 5.4 to 5.7 (level of difficulty). There were a total of 4 people in our group. 2 had some indoor experience and the other 2 (including myself) had zero experience. And let me tell you - I'm scared to death of heights. Scared AF!!! But isn't it amazing how the BEST things that ever happen in LIFE are the ones we were resistant to get involved with because of fear?? Trust me, it's not easy but stop running away from fear, run towards it! If you don't take action now, you likely never will. Your fears will win + will continue to win until you break the pattern. Start saying YES to fear. The scarier something is, the more you need to do it. I couldn't have overcome my fear of rock climbing without the help + guidance of "Rock Climb Every Day." What are you scared of right now? Rock climbing? What are you telling yourself you can't have, not yet? Rock Climbing? What are you trying to "figure out first"? Rock Climbing? My advice. STOP thinking. STOP trying to figure it out. Say yes to fear; yes to uncertainty. Say YES to Rock Climbing. Overall, an amazing 5-star experience with Rock Climb Every Day. Book your adventure at https://rockclimbeveryday.com - maybe I'll see you on my next adventure? :)

Is this a bogus service? No one ever answers emails, messages, nor voice messages. Submitted…read morepayment for a class, but no confirmation receipt.

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Summit Climbing Guides

(10 reviews)

5.3 mi

We had a great time on the Caves & Corridors scramble with Stephen! He was patient, encouraging,…read moreand a ton of fun! We are a family of four, kids ages 9 and 12. We all had a ton of fun and built our confidence to scramble on hikes later in our trip. The views were spectacular and highly recommend a scramble Stephen!!

Brad was a fantastic guide. We've been climbing before but weren't particularly experienced…read more However, he managed to challenge us just enough to keep things interesting, but at no point did we feel unsafe or overtaxed. He did a great a job explaining how the gear worked and found us some fantastic spots that were uncrowded and (importantly) shaded. He also showed us some really cool spots that we'd never have found on our own. Thanks Brad and Summit Climbing for a great day.

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Joshua Tree Guides

(24 reviews)

1.3 mi

I have to give a big shout out to Joshua Tree Guides and especially to Tiiowa who introduced me to…read moremy first real crack climbing experience on the beautiful granite rocks of Joshua Tree NP. When you've been rock climbing for years but never faced cracks it can be challenging and a bit embarrassing to jam hands and feet, but Tiowa was there very didactic, encouraging and just a pleasure to hang out with. A great experience I wish I can repeat the soonest

Four of us have spent the last year or two learning to boulder in a gym - this was our first gym to…read morecrag adventure! We thought it would be fun but didn't really know what to expect. Well...Alex was our guide and he was AWESOME. So supportive and positive. A gifted guide and a natural. He belayed for each of us, which made us all infinitely more confident. Not that we don't trust our partners...but...it's nice to have a pro on the other end of the rope. We had a great spot, super fun climbing, a truly perfect morning. I would go back to these guides in a heartbeat.

9yr old completing Cyclops Eye

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Climbing with Alex in Joshua Tree

Outdoor Journeys - Camp Nawakwa

4.3

(52 reviews)

30.7 mi

This is the best Camp my kids ever been to!! They absolutely loved it, staff was happy and…read moreenergetic with kids Leaving electronics and all the commotion of the Valley behind this camp is a secluded Natural Amazing place. I was apprehensive to leave my kids for the first time on a away camp but the camp staff assured me my kids would have fun and boy they did... fishing, fire camps, archery, rock climbing, lake kayaking, hiking, swimming and just being around nature took my kids breath away my son literally told me "I never felt so peaceful like this week before" Definitely will be signing them up next year, thank you Sandra and all the staff for providing such a fun place for kids to be kids again, definitely a 10.

We had a mixed bag of adventures at Camp Nawakwa. Lol…read more There were a wide variety of activities and we had a camp staff to lead us in each. We loved the nature hike we had "Jelly" (a couple of our groups got rained out-obviously to no fault of the camp), we enjoyed archery, paint ball sling shots with "Stitch", painting wood necklaces, drama circle, and an amphitheater with breathtaking views of the the sunset. We loved our hike to the lake for canoeing. I too thought the pool was chilly but it was clean! Their swim rules seemed to be really intense to me. "No jumping off the edge of the pool" hmmm ok. In my opinion overly cautious. However, the Rock wall was a blast, equipment was in good condition. Hatchet throwing was hard, but fun. I wish the hatchets were sharp enough to grab the wood. It was rare anyone stuck one into the log rounds. Some combination of wood being too hard or axes not balanced correctly made that activity a struggle. We enjoyed trying. The team building activities were thoughtful and stretched our girls as individuals and forced team unity. Maybe my favorite part of all of camp. They lost a star for food quality and portions but the staff was always in good spirit. I also wish our group had the entire cafeteria to ourselves as we often were low on space at tables and often went outside as our designated seating was full. But the food was served on time and they got a lot of people food in timely fashion. They were organized. Our cabins were dry when it rained and i felt safe from the elements and wildlife that can live nearby. Some mattresses were thicker than others. I was comfortable enough for a week of camping. The plumbing struggled at times but not sure that was the camps fault or the 85 GIRLS who MAY have not disposed of things properly. Lol Overall I think with some retraining on camp cooking and a minor tweak here and there this would be a 5 star camp. The location was beautiful. The staff was friendly. The activities were super fun!

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AstroCamp

4.2

(51 reviews)

34.3 mi

Not recommended for children with ADHD…read more Astrocamp is not professionally equipped to handle neurodivergent children of all spectrums. My daughter had an incident where a boy spat on her and her rage at him had her removed from camp at midnight only one day into a session. The camp kicks children out easily and forces immediate pick up. Cost for the camp do not make it worth the uncertainty of stable care. Be cautious when enrolling your neurodivergent children. Counselors are just barely children themselves and are not professionally or maturely equipped to handle so many young children at once.

Daughter recently went for three days here and had a lot of good things to say about the food and…read morestaff! She enjoyed the rocket launch, stargazing, zip line, and the lift up into the tree. First true experience away from home without family like many others. She only had good things to say about the staff and food options. Luckily no bed bug issues like prior reviews. Shout out to Beatrice for being awesome with the kids! -2 stars for the bathroom/shower situations. It doesn't sound like there are many bathrooms for the amount of kids there. She mentioned some being clogged and feeling rushed due to several others needing to use the bathrooms. There were so many activities that she felt like there weren't many breaks to use the bathroom. In her dorm there were only 2 bathrooms/showers. They got back late after 9pm and rushed to squeeze people through to shower. People were barging in having to use the bathroom as others showered. Apparently the shower curtain was so minimal, another girl used an extra bed sheet to help create privacy, which all the girls appreciated. Maybe add a couple port-a-potties?! Might be wrong, but also sounded like not many trustworthy sources for water and hydration outside of meal time.

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First day of astrocamp

Joshua Tree Park & Recreation District

4.3

(6 reviews)

2.5 mi

This is a small glimpse into the beauty of our country. The people were pretty nice too.read more

Just go and see for yourself! If you appreciate nature and peace you will find yourself lost here!…read moreJust make sure you have food and water!

They were slack lining!!!

Easy trails

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John H Furbee Aquatics Center

3.7

(3 reviews)

14.6 mi

Fabulous, gorgeous pool. Wish it was open year round or at least until the end of September. Can't…read morebeat the price, the staff is wonderful. Such a magnificent treasure.

Very big pool. The lifeguards care. Nice place to cool off. Very cheap to get in too.read more

Early morning visit from ducks.

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Liz D.

9 years ago

Tyler was amazing! (I had to say that right off the bat bc it's so true!) Nick and I have been climbing in a gym for a little under two months but wanted to transition to outdoor climbing. We decided to get a guide while we were at Joshua Tree because, well, it's freakin' JTree. We met up with Tyler this past Monday for a 4hr session. (I wish we had done longer!!!) And we haven't been able to stop discussing our experience or how awesome Tyler was since then. Tyler is fantastic. He is super knowledgeable and really encouraging. He took us over to the Hidden Valley area for two routes and a crash course in anchoring. We had fun the whole time. I learned so much from technique, to gear, to history of climbing. He really knows his stuff and is passionate about it. His enthusiasm is contagious. He also brought a camera to take pictures for us which is so cool. And he gave us his contact info in case we ever had questions, which is super rad. You can tell how much joy he gets from climbing and that he wants that for you. All three of us were nothing but smiles the whole time. Even when I got tired at the end he continued to mentor and encourage. One of my favorite things was how he let us figure out our own way up each route and only when we were stuck did he point out holds. Sometimes we would try something and it wouldn't work so he'd show us a better way. But he always let us try first. I really liked that. I left the day feeling super pumped about climbing and wishing that Tyler lived by us so he could continue to guide us as we progress on this outdoor climbing adventure. I'd also like to note that Nelson, the owner, was amazing in terms of getting us booked with Tyler. He emailed us and took the time to find out what experience we were looking for and what our background was so that they could tailor everything to us. I definitely recommend this company. Get Tyler as a guide! I'm already planning when I can come back to tackle more! Thank you for the wonderful experience! read more

Joel O.

12 years ago

Nelson came out and created a program to take our Boy Scout troop climbing in Joshua Tree during an overnight trip. Camping Merit Badge requirement 9B has a requirement that can be fulfilled in part by scouts rappelling. We planned this trip to specifically achieve this requirement. I reached out to Nelson a couple of weeks before the trip and Nelson helped pick out a camp site right next to the rocks we would be climbing and shared some very useful information. He stopped by the site a few days before the trip and confirmed a good route where there would be shade to escape the afternoon heat and even sent me a photo of the campsite. Nelson appeared in camp well ahead of our scheduled start time and took me up to the spot we were going to use to make sure I was comfortable with the path the scouts would take and to discuss rigging a few lines the boys could use to access the top where they would rappel from. Nelson then rigged up everything and then set up gear in the campsite so we could practice the skills on the ground before we headed up the rock. Nelson provided all the gear which was in perfect condition with plenty of sizes to fit all the scouts ranging from 12 to 16 years old. 20 years ago, I used to lead this trip and activity with a few rock climbing friends and I was once a seasoned climber myself however time change and I am not the 20 year old I once was. Nelson was a pleasure to work with and was great with the scouts. I felt very comfortable that all points of safety were covered. All the scouts rappelled several times and we even had a little time for some up climbing lessons. A great time was had by everyone. Next year we will have to look to come down and work through the Climbing Merit Badge with Nelson. read more

Lori M.

9 years ago

I've had two wonderful climbing experiences with Nelson (The Climbing Life Guides) at Joshua Tree. I'm 63, and this was my first climbing experience so I was nervous about attempting this challenge. I wasn't expecting much of myself, in fact I told Nelson I'd be happy if I just had the experience of putting on the gear and climbing up a few feet--then call it a day. But instead, with such great humor and encouragement from Nelson, I made it to the top of a complicated rock the first day, and climbed all three faces of that same rock the second time we went out. It was exhilarating, beautiful and challenging. The views and the serenity from atop a rock are probably why climbers come back for more. I had no fear or loss of balance... only a deep peace and desire to stay right there. I sure got the climbing fever now. I think the important thing is that I knew I was safe. The ropes were secure, and I knew that Nelson wasn't taking chances. All along he was coaching me where to place my feet and angle my body so that I could navigate the various aspects of the rock. I'm also a Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetic, so I needed some patience while I experimented with my blood sugar needs during this outdoor challenge. Nelson was just wonderful, and we took it slow. WOW what an experience. I will be back soon! And what a wonderful guy Nelson is! read more

Lora G.

11 years ago

The guides were very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The adventure began with choosing the appropriate gear and a general background discussion to explain our on again off again rock climbing experience. We then drove to the Joshua Tree National park where the guide sowed his permit and annual pass to gain entry to the park. It was a holiday weekend so busy at the entryway but we stopped at an area that was not crowded. We were taken to the Dairy Queen rock climbing area. Guide and owner, Nelson Day, set the top rope for us on 2 seperate routes in the same area. He was able to assess very quickly our different climbing levels and teach us various technical skills and techniques. What I liked most about the staff at Climbing Life Guides is that they established that this was a "judgement free zone" and that they very nicely encouraged me to go up a route that was challenging for me and verbally directed me the entire way. I climbed my first 5.10a! Every moment of my experience with The Climbing Life Guides, I felt safe, had fun, could ask questions and thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience from start to finish!! When I go back to Joshua Tree, I will again use the Climbing Life Guides for all future trips and recommend them to my friends and family! read more

Dario G.

10 years ago

We climbed with The Climbing Life Guides three full days during a 1-week vacation in Palm Springs. It was a super experience, and by far the highlight of the vacation. Nelson and Stephen were both fantastic guides, and accommodated smoothly the different levels of climbing experience in our family. We ended up doing a lot of different styles (friction climbing on slab, crack climbing, crimpy, you name it!) on beautiful granite that is unbelievably "sticky". JTNP is spectacularly beautiful, of course, but even with a guidebook I doubt we would have been exposed to the variety and beauty of the climbing. As an added bonus, since it had been raining early in the morning one day and we were waiting for the rock to dry, we went (i.e., crawled) through the Chasm of Doom - not for the faint of heart, but a great experience nonetheless. These guys are skilled professionals, enthusiastic about climbing, very knowledgeable, and a load of fun! They picked us up from the hotel and drove us back, with no fuss and a lot of interesting conversation on the way. They are good at making you feel safe while challenging you to the max of your abilities, such as (for us) climbing 5.10d and trying 5.11's. We recommend them very highly. read more

Daren C.

10 years ago

Twenty-five years after last rock climbing in Joshua Tree, my wife and I decided to take our three kids (18, 16 and 11) there for a climbing adventure. Knowing the complexities of gear, matching a good route for their collective skill sets, the importance of safety and the fact it had been years since we last climbed...we decided to hire a guide service. The Climbing Life Guides were highly rated online so after researching a few options we decided to book a four-hour session. The entire experience from booking to the end of the day exceeded expectations! Their communications, responsiveness and instructions were clear leading up to the day of the climb. We were matched with Tyler as our guide and from the first moment we connected the experience was top notch! We met at their main location and got 'geared-up' then took the short drive into the park. He coached the kids on safety, techniques and etiquette. It was a pleasure (as a parent) listening to him encourage and cheer each one on as they ascended the first route. All made it to the top and decided after-the-fact that this outing was the highlight of our vacation. Thanks for the wonderful confidence building experience Tyler! read more

Fives O.

12 years ago

Nelson did a FANTASTIC JOB setting up a morning that was memorable and exciting for everyone in our family (two adults and kids ages 7, 5, and 3). He really worked with my desire to have a rock climbing experience (my first one ever) to be a family one, even though I would be the only one climbing. He tended to all the details masterfully and was wonderful with the kids and adults alike. The two climbs he arranged in the Intersection Rock area were close to restrooms, had plenty of interesting boulders for the kids to climb as my wife stayed with them, and gave everyone great views of the climbing I would be doing. I was extremely impressed by Nelson's enthusiasm, patience, and knowledge. I really had only a vague sense of what I wanted, but he really tuned into what I was not able to verbalize and led me on two amazing climbs and repels. I felt 100% comfortable and safe the whole time, even though this was all completely new to me. I cannot recommend Nelson highly enough for climbers of all abilities, and especially for groups with kids or those in which not everyone is climbing! read more

Stephanie H.

9 years ago

I hired the climbing life guides for 2 weeks of rock climbing in Joshua tree and it was an amazing experience!! I had never climbed in Southern California before and I was concerned about all the unknown factors but everything was so well organized I never felt worried while I was with them. I climbed with each guide in the company and had a blast. They took into account the types of climbs I was liking and tailored each day to suit my preference and energy level. They instructed and encouraged me when I needed it. These guys have a great energy level that really makes each day a treat. The guides were dependable and always showed up at our appointed start time. The owner Nelson answered all my questions quickly and took the time to walk me through more complex stuff. I always felt safe, even when I was scared. I felt reassured by the knowledge my guide had. The company has insurance which I later found out NOT ALL companies in Jtree have that. I think that's pretty important given the sport. Overall 10/10 I would climb with these guys again and recommend them to anyone. read more

Erin M.

10 years ago

This was my second time climbing with The Climbing Life Guides. The first time was back in December and I had a great time with Stephen as my guide. He made the experience fun and challenging while also helping me work through my fear of heights. This past weekend, my mom & I ventured back to Joshua Tree and we had Nelson as our guide this time. It was my mom's first time climbing outdoors so she was pretty fearful. Nelson took a lot of time going over things with my mom and did some small drills to teach her about the safety measures in place. I was able to get some extremely helpful pointers on proper foot placement and weight distribution. I saw a huge progression in my climbing due to Nelson's suggestions and demonstrations. My mom became comfortable with the ropes and was able to climb to the top of her route with Nelson's encouragement. Overall, both Stephen & Nelson were knowledgeable, patient, personable, and extremely encouraging. We had a great time and we will definitely be back to do more trips with them in the future! read more

Ken H.

11 years ago

My girlfriend and I knew we had only a day of climbing available to us at Joshua. Being seasoned/experienced climbers we could have spent the day on our own, ambling about, figuring out where routes were, etc., etc. Instead we sought out advice from and hired Nelson Day. We didn't regret it. Not knowing us he let us warm up to the experience on something fun but easier, we got comfortable with each others skills on belaying and such, and the whole day went wonderfully. He showed us far more routes then we could have found on our own. He was friendly, fun and professional in his demeanor. We climbed to a schedule(had to be done by 4:00) and literally got all the climbing in we could handle. We would hire Nelson again in a heartbeat, and hope to! Whether experienced or not, Nelson can handle your day(s) of climbing and will show you a great experience at Joshua Tree...great guide, and a wonderful place to climb! read more

Jennifer D.

11 years ago

Nelson was awesome! My boyfriend and I wanted to try something new & fun & boy did we get what we signed up for! It was so exhilarating! At first I was nervous about climbing huge boulders, but Nelson helped me build the confidence I needed. My boyfriend was a little braver than me & wanted a more challenging experience.... Nelson did a great job at providing us both with the level & type of climb that suited our individual desires. He made us feel safe and continued to encourage us along the way. He educated us thoroughly; offered great advice and safety tips. He was fun & friendly, as well as very informative. Not only was he a great instructor, he's also very knowledgeable about JT National Park & its history. Also, very accommodating with schedule and was great at taking pictures of us! Overall, it was a great experience, we had a blast and I can't wait to do it again! read more

Mike F.

218

7 years ago

My partner and I went with Nelson as our guide and it was absolutely amazing! We normally just gym climb and always wanted to do more outdoor climbing so Nelson really helped show us things to consider when climbing outdoors and specifically in Joshua Tree and basically got us comfortable. He gave us a bunch of options in terms of multi-pitch, lead, bouldering, etc. and we ended up doing two classic climbs near Ryan campground. We had a great time figuring out the routes and he guided us for certain moves when we got stuck. It was also just an overall fun experience - Nelson is easy to talk to and we had interesting conversation while always able to discuss what we love most, climbing! Thank you Neslon for the wonderful experience, we highly recommend this of anyone new or experienced. read more

Don T.

12 years ago

Nelson is a gem. He's fun, patient, careful and safe-and he takes care to teach safe practices-but what sets him apart is not just his instruction, but that he can articulate the rationale as to pros and cons of a given setup, knot, placement, route, fall zones, etc. His engineering background is a plus for those who want to understand the mechanics of force vectors and the like-not something many rock jocks can readily explain. I've used him twice to learn/improve sport lead/anchor/fall techniques, and start trad leading, respectively (6 months apart). He keeps goals in mind, pushes just the right amount to help a climber advance. I can't say enough good things about him. Shoot me a message if you want more info... Don read more

Patricia D.

10 years ago

My boyfriend and I booked a private half day climb with Nelson after having climbed in an indoor gym once. He taught us so much about how to interact with a rock face, the differences between indoor and outdoor climbing, about the equipment, different types of climbing, etc. We totally chewed his ear off and learned so much, and of course, we had a total blast climbing our first rocks. We felt incredibly safe the entire time and felt comfortable pushing our limits. Nelson was really good about showing us different holds we could try on different points of the rock to challenge ourselves. Joshua Tree is such a beautiful place and the views from the top are so amazing. We'll for sure be climbing with them again! read more

Carlos C.

10 years ago

Nelson makes sure you get the climbing experience that you are looking for, whatever that is. We wanted to photograph and film a multi-pitch trad route and Nelson happily obliged, teaching our photographer how to use ascenders, fixing ropes and leading pitches twice or more just so we could get the shots we wanted. We had a good time and got great shots/ footage. Nelson also gives great trad leading lessons and can teach people how to rappel, build anchors, place gear, etc. --- anything you would want to know in rock climbing. He is very patient, knowledgeable, pleasant and client oriented. He's professional in running his business so I'm sure his other guides are also up to the same standards. read more

David T.

239

9 years ago

I made my first trip down to Joshua Tree last weekend with a few friends. I've gotta say, this company and Nelson are freaken awesome. This was my first experience climbing real rock and i had a blast. Nelson catered to my ability as a beginner-ish climber and took us on amazing routes. I was a little sketch when we arrived to the rock we were going to climb. But with the instruction Nelson provided, i conquered all the climbs that day. Nelson is very friendly, knowledgable, patient, encouraging, and a bad ass person! I've found a new passion for the sport and I'll definitely be returning in the near future to climb with Nelson and The Climbing Life Guides!!! read more

Max N.

158

9 years ago

It was my first trip to Joshua Tree and a friend suggested I do rock climbing there. Turns out Joshua Tree Park is the perfect place to do rock climbing, so I highly recommend doing rock climbing on your next trip to JT. The Climbing Life Guides and Nelson were very accommodating and friendly. Nelson helped me not only to get down the basics , but also coached me through some challenging climbs which I never imagined could be climbed and which made me want to take up climbing on regular basis. I suggest doing rock climbing with Climbing Guides on your next trip to JT Park. read more

David Alan B.

9 years ago

If you're bothering to look at these reviews, then I'm telling you YES you DO want to hire a guide for your visit to Joshua Tree, and YES you DO want them to be from Climbing Life Guides, no where else! Nelson was fantastic! We climbed, caved, made it through the Chasm Of Doom (real name), and our 9 year old daughter repelled like a pro thanks to Nelson's expertise and focus and caring. Sure you could see the park on your own, but why? These guys are reasonably priced and the knowledge, experience, secret trails and fun they add to any trip is worth every penny. read more

Tina G.

10 years ago

My teenage sons spent an awesome afternoon climbing with Nelson. Setting up the appointment was easy and Nelson was very flexible. He had plenty of equipment to choose from so the boys were ready to safely climb. They climbed 3 routes in the same area and were shown various techniques and levels of difficulty. This was their first time climbing outside and they are now hooked. The spectators (parents & grandparents) enjoyed watching from the base of the rock. The instructions were easy to follow and my boys had a fantastic time. Would do it again! read more

Zara B.

11 years ago

Nelson is as good as it gets. He's a seasoned guide and an all-around great guy. He'll meet you where you're at and push you just a little bit more to make you grow as a climber. He knows the best climbing spots in Joshua Tree and loves sharing them with new and returning climbers. Can't wait for my next trip with The Climbing Life Guides! (Nelson has gotten us hooked on climbing; we've done three trips with him already and have a fourth one in the works for the fall.) TCLG is perfect for newbies, as well as seasoned climbers. No better way to go for it! read more

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The Climbing Life Guides - climbing - Updated August 2026

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Joshua Tree Excursions

4.7

(24 reviews)

Just took a Joshua Tree morning tour with Wendy. She was excellent and patient with my family…read more Since we got into the park a little after 8am, we were constantly ahead of the crowds. Overall we really enjoyed our experience and would highly recommend using them. And we paid about $100 per person for a private morning tour. That's pretty good value IMO! The selection of different activities was very low but that was because we booked the busiest time of the season, and only about 3 weeks ahead of time. Booking process was very smooth. The only issue I had was they were unresponsive to any type of communication beforehand. After I booked online, I wrote them and email asking for confirmation, as well as called them and left a voicemail. I received no reply. I almost thought I might have been scammed! Thankfully that wasn't that case.

Great day hiking experience! Our guide was knowledgeable about the park itself and the plants,…read moreanimals, and geology. He also was flexible to adapt to our group's need to change plans when we realized not everyone was interested in rock scrambling.

Joshua Tree Offroad

(3 reviews)

Cannot recommend any higher!! This was such an amazing tour. My face hurt for an hour after, I was…read moresmiling so hard the whole time! And my tour guide, Nic, was great. He was super knowledgeable about the area and really passionate about offroading and hiking, which made the whole experience even that much better. I was honestly hesitant because I had never gone offroading, but I am SO glad I went! Definitely recommended, if you're even remotely considering it, GO!

Joshua Tree Offroad was such a unique experience for me! Typically I'm nervous about this type of…read moreadventure but Nick's reassurance and knowledge really made a difference and I had the most amazing time! Getting behind the wheel under Nicks guidance was all the confidence I needed to enjoy the Offroad trails, not to mention stopping along the way to photograph moments and listen to Nick share what he knew about Joshua tree.

Arch Rock

4.9

(29 reviews)

Located inside Joshua Tree National Park off the Pinto Basin Road. You have to hike a little from…read morethe parking lot to get to the road crossing. Luckily there were plenty of signs. The trail was pretty flat until you to get closer to the split between the Arch Rock and Heart Rock. There's a lot of cool boulders and rocks to climb on. Arch Rock was definitely more popular than Heart Rock. Did take us almost an hour and a half to do both the Arch Rock and Heart Rock. Hiked during a weekday morning and saw only a few groups.

Seemingly short but a pretty far walk from the parking lot. Once you get to the Arch rock trail…read moreit's 1.4 miles and winds through some great rock formations, all of which you can scramble on. Our favorite parts were all the "off-trail" moments where you could get up and close with the desert. In summer it's recommended to do this trail before 10 am, it gets hot even in Spring! It was by far the hottest we were because of the long walk from parking with no shade at all. I believe the elevation is lower here so it felt warmer than the other Joshua Tree hikes. The iconic stops are whale rock, heart rock, and the large arch near the beginning of the trail. I'm not sure what it was but there is also a cliff you can walk to the edge of and there is some great rock formations in a canyon. It is popular also if you come too late there will be no parking, when we left we saw people walking from pretty far to get here since the parking lot was full.

Naked Edge

(2 reviews)

We had an exciting adventure instead of a drive and a walk in the park. Mike and Hayley took us…read moredirectly to a great feature and guided us safely through our ascent. We had a great time and had a fun descent and a super view while on belay. They helped us get familiar with the layout of the park as well. We felt very safe the whole time as these guides are very professional and well equiped. We did not need to have any of our own gear . If you're looking to have some fun and scare yourself just a bit these folks are great.

My friend and I didn't really know what to expect when we signed up for the rappelling class with…read moreMike. It turned out to be the highlight of our trip to Joshua Tree. We had a detailed training and practice session before rappelling down the 200 feet cliff. Mike was really personable, professional and encouraging. He took great care of us and made sure we had fun and were safe. We definitely reccommend rappelling with Mike!

Mojave Guides

Excellent experience with guides Murphy and Emery. They were thoughtful, fun, safe, professional…read more Couldn't ask for more.

Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School

(50 reviews)

Stone Adventures

Gold Prospecting Expeditions

4.5

(2 reviews)

Joe Is an excellent guide, well equipped, knowledgeable and friendly…read more It was great fun, and I hit pay-dirt my first time out. Be forewarned side effects include Gold Fever!!!

Hi there adventurers! Well, Joe the tour guide knows the terrain well, telling all kinds of…read morestories and facts. Did you know there was so much gold in Southern California? He showed me how to use a metal detector (and found a gold nugget he buried in the dirt), and also a macheen called a dry wash that sifts the gold (heavier) to the bottom. Really cool! Yep, I did find two little pieces of gold, and it was a fun day. He used to be a chef so he cooks up a really nice lunch, like steak or chicken your choice. Oh, and a rattlesnake was three feet away from me and he shot it on first try. You're safe with him. He used to be a LA Police Officer, and likes to hunt and fish. He said he takes people to the low desert, hi desert and up around Big Bear because he has his favorite gold digging spots. I'd go agin.

Joshua Tree Lizard

(19 reviews)

Ben was our guide. This was our 1st time outside of a climbing gym. Took my 16 & 17 yo kiddos. Ben…read morewas very informative, experienced, patient, encouraging, safe!! After our initial climb he gave us options of other things we could do: rappel, climb more, or go into a cave. He took the time to answer all the questions and also teach us about the area. It was a great experience. Loved it! Highly recommend.

Unsafe and dishonest…read more Climbed with Ali on 12/2/2025. As a belayer he was "distracted" to put it nicely, frequently turning his back to the climber, and seemed unable to stop telling jokes and personal anecdotes even amidst precarious climbing spots and safety checks. I had to back-up my friend's first ever rappel when Ali was too "disoriented" to do the basic safety checks. He charged us for 2 guides and claimed we had 2 guides despite providing 1 (he sent the 2nd guide away after an hour but still billed us for the full time.) I've climbed with a dozen guides in the US. This is the first time I've ever left a negative review, let alone a scathing one. Literally any/every climbing company is superior to this in both safety and honesty.

Roddy McCalley Guiding