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I Visited 14 National Parks In One Year. Here Are the Apps I Used to Plan and Pull Off Those Trips.

By Elissa Sanci

Elissa Sanci is a writer on the discovery team. She has found that clear ice makes carbonated drinks taste better, and citronella candles don’t work.

In 2021, I visited 14 national parks spanning from the East Coast to the West Coast and everywhere in between. I hiked up mountains for stunning 360-degree vistas, ventured underground to explore cave systems, and wandered through slot canyons in the desert heat—and to do it all successfully, I relied on a few trusted apps. Whether I’m searching for campsites, organizing a packed itinerary, or navigating long hikes safely, I’ve found these apps extremely useful in pulling off my national park trips. Here are the apps that can help you plan your own adventures.

Learn about the national parks

The app: National Park Service ( iOS and Android )

What it’s good for: Information about every single national park site across the country—including national parks, monuments, and historical sites.

The nitty-gritty: All of my trip planning begins with this handy app released in 2021 by the National Park Service. Easy to use and free to download, the NPS app (which you can also use offline as long as you download content beforehand) offers interactive maps of each park, self-guided tours curated by park rangers, and news and current events, along with lists of amenities (such as food services, restrooms, and gift shops). You can get as involved with the app as you’d like, whether you want to keep detailed lists of the overlooks and points of interest you want to see or you just need to check the park hours and entry fees.

The NPS app gives real-time updates on conditions within the park—such as road closures, long entry lines, weather advisory warnings, and whether you need a reservation to enter—allowing you to find all the pertinent information you need to know before heading to or traveling throughout the park. I didn’t use the NPS app on my trip to Big Bend National Park—but if I had, I could have avoided a two-hour wait at a trailhead when important roads were blocked off for construction.

Discover the best hiking trails

The app: AllTrails ( iOS and Android )

What it’s good for: Finding and researching all possible paths through a park.

The nitty-gritty: With a free membership, you can search for hiking trails using a name, city, or park and then filter your results based on difficulty level and length. From there, you can read through hiker reviews to learn more about the trail and assess whether it’s right for you. You can also save your preferred routes on curated lists; for example, I created separate lists for each of the parks in Utah I planned to visit so that I could easily refer back to them while preparing for each trip. And AllTrails isn’t just for hikers, as you can also use the app to plan out mountain biking, snow sports, mountaineering, trail running, and climbing excursions.

If you plan to hike a few different trails during your trip, the AllTrails Plus Membership might be worth investing in. For $36 a year, you have the ability to download maps for offline access, something that comes in handy if you find yourself veering off-trail in an area with limited service. Just make sure you’ve downloaded the map prior to your hike. The Plus Membership comes with other perks, too, but I’ve found the ability to see my GPS dot moving alongside the correct trail worth the yearly membership fee all on its own. If you’re not sold, you can sign up for a one-week free trial—but make sure to time it so that the period lines up with your next trip.

After your trip, return to AllTrails to leave reviews of the trails you hiked. If you relied on information you learned about certain trails to choose and execute a hike safely, repay the favor by leaving thoughts about your experience in the comment section. Prospective hikers will appreciate your updates on trail closures, maintenance issues, and tricky-to-follow trails.

Find a place to sleep

The apps: Recreation.gov ( iOS and Android ), The Dyrt ( iOS and Android ), Hipcamp ( iOS and Android )

What they’re good for: Finding campsites suited to your budget, expertise, and comfort level.

The nitty-gritty: Which app you use to reserve a campsite or lodging for your trip ultimately depends on the kind of experience you’re looking to have.

Recreation.gov lists only federal camping options, so if you know you’d like to stay in the national park or forest you’re visiting, this app should be your first stop. Each campsite listing shows site details including rules, amenities, and availability. You can book directly through the app, and you can also use Recreation.gov to apply for permits and pay your park-entry fees.

The Dyrt is a good option for campers looking for free and discounted campsites, as it offers a repository of more than 500,000 campgrounds around the country on both public and private land. Similar to the listings in Recreation.gov, each Dyrt listing gives a rundown of the amenities and rules of the campsite, but rather than allowing you to book through the app, Dyrt redirects you to the campground’s website. You can also look through Dyrt user reviews and photos as you make a decision. The Dyrt is a free app, but if you want the ability to search for campgrounds offline or to download maps, you can sign up for The Dyrt Pro for $36 per year. You can sign up for a free seven-day trial if you’re not ready to commit.

Hipcamp is perfect for folks who would rather glamp than camp. Through this app, you can find Instagram-worthy private glamping sites (think decked-out RVs, yurts, and cabins). These sites tend to be more expensive, but they offer more amenities and creature comforts for those who aren’t comfortable pitching their own tent or sleeping on the ground. Like Airbnb (which can also help you find glamping and camping sites), Hipcamp lets you read through each host’s bio, flip through photos of the listing, and scroll through reviews before booking directly in the app. You can use Hipcamp to find cheap DIY campsites, as well.

Explore the park without leaving your car

The app: Just Ahead ( iOS )

What it’s good for: A narrated car ride through the parks.

The nitty-gritty: This app is useful for folks who want private guided tours. Employing your phone’s built-in GPS (offline use is also an option), the Just Ahead app automatically begins narrating as you drive by certain markers on the map, and you can learn about scenic views, geology, and park history as you pass them. Each guide is professionally written and narrated by journalists and authors who have written for National Geographic and Outside Magazine. Just Ahead isn’t without its limitations, though: It offers guides to only a handful of the more popular US national parks (such as Yellowstone, Joshua Tree, and Rocky Mountain), and each guide must be purchased separately, starting at $15.

Organize your travel plans

The app: Notion ( iOS and Android )

What it’s good for: Keeping important travel information and documents in one place.

The nitty-gritty: You can plan your trip however you’d like, be it in Google Docs, detailed Excel sheets, or the notes app on your phone—but I love using Notion, a free project-management and note-taking app that you can access on both your phone and your desktop. Because you can use this app to organize all parts of your life, it can feel a little overwhelming at first, but Notion provides a dedicated travel template that can help make trip planning more streamlined. You can pull all the essential details of your trip into one highly organized spot by creating tables for different kinds of information (such as your budget or flight details), embedding Google maps specific to your trip, and assigning tags to certain categories so they’re easier to find. You can create a general overview of your trip, linking out to other important documents, files, and websites—and you can make more in-depth, filtered views for each day of your trip with all the information you’ll need. Notion also makes collaborating with others simple, so you can share your plans with travel buddies ahead of time and work together to create the perfect trip.

This article was edited by Treye Green and Annemarie Conte.

Meet your guide

Elissa Sanci

Senior Staff Writer

Elissa Sanci is a senior staff writer for Wirecutter’s discovery team based in Denver. Her byline has appeared in The New York Times, Woman’s Day, Marie Claire, and Good Housekeeping. When she’s not testing TikTok-famous products or writing about car garbage cans, you can find her hiking somewhere in the Rockies or lying on the couch with a bowl of chips balanced on her chest. There is no in-between.

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Narrated Driving Tour Apps by GuideAlong

Listen to an entertaining guide that automatically tells you stories about where you are while you drive..

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You can tour Yellowstone on your own, but if you download the GuideAlong (previously GyPSy Guide) app, you’ll get an insider’s perspective of the park without having to go on a tour. It’s like having your own guide in the car with you.

“We’re travelers too. We all want the freedom to explore at our own pace and terms, but we want a local expert to direct us to the best places to go and what to see,” says Rick Bulich, managing director of GuideAlong. “Ultimately, we guide but you decide.”

As you drive, the app uses your location to automatically play perfectly timed commentary about history, geology, wildlife and more. Stories like how microscopic bacteria in Yellowstone’s hot springs that have enabled scientists to find our distant ancestors, cure diseases and even solve murders gives you a better understanding of Yellowstone. The app also tells you about upcoming sights, so you have time to decide whether to stop. The best part is you don’t need cell phone service, signal or wifi. Download content to your device ahead of time, and the app determines your location and autoplays using GPS.

Bundle your Yellowstone tour with tours that cover Beartooth Highway, Badlands and the Black Hills, Rocky Mountain National Park, Utah and more.

Learn more at guidealong.com

• Yellowstone National Park
• Grand Teton National Park
• Yellowstone and Grand Teton Combo
• Glacier National Park’s Going to the Sun Road
• Black Hills, Rushmore, Badlands, Devils Tower

Popular on Yellowstone National Park

Get a free Yellowstone trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information.

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GaperGuide - theparkguide

explore at your own pace!

Explore at your own pace. Do your own thing. See it all!

GaperGuide’s curated audio tours tell you everything you need to know about the park in real-time as you drive. The self-guided tour follows you wherever you want to go – there is no required route or timing.

The tour app gives you real-time advice about where and when to stop. You learn about the history and science of the parks, get the facts, and see the animals. It shows you the great views, picnic areas, bathrooms and so much more that you might miss.

“It’s like having a private tour guide at a fraction of the cost.”

TOUR PRICES

The Easiest & Most Affordable Way to Tour the Parks

NO cellular reception is required to use the app in the parks (reception in the parks is terrible).  You will need good, strong internet signal to download the tours BEFORE you go into the parks.

GaperGuide is THEPARKGUIDE.

We have the experience: Since 2007, GaperGuide has been the best way to see Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park on your own.  We have recently expanded our self-guided tours to include Rocky Mountain and Glacier National Parks as well.  We will be adding more parks every year; this is why we are THEPARKGUIDE.

We have the technology: THEPARKGUIDE is like having a private tour guide, but you go at your own pace, and you go wherever you want.  Our audio tour guide, using the TravelStorys tour app, gives you a driving tour of whichever park you select.  It uses GPS to trigger individual dialogs about the parks at thousands of specific locations.  You don’t have to read the books and maps to find things like the best place to see wildlife in Yellowstone, or where to stay in Yellowstone.  We programmed it all in.   

Easy to use: As you drive, THEPARKGUIDE automatically gives you the information you need to get the most out of the parks.  All ages, from the youngest to the oldest, will enjoy THEPARKGUIDE’s easy-going narration. You don’t have to know where you are, or press any buttons while you drive.  It triggers itself at just the right time. The THEPARKGUIDE audio tour guide will tell you about the wildlife, history and geology of Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glacier or Rocky Mountain right on cue. 

Freedom from the ordinary: THEPARKGUIDE’s self-guided tours let you see the parks at your own pace, and get to choose if you want to take advantage of the many visitor centers, hikes, views or picnic areas. Our tour app will alert you to upcoming points of interest such as animal habitats and geophysical wonders. THEPARKGUIDE will even tell you when there are bathrooms coming up.  

When to get it: Now!  The tours are good for 1 year after purchase, so you don’t have to worry about timing your trip. There’s no fixed route through the national parks and no rules about where, when or for how long to stop. THEPARKGUIDE stops with you and will be ready to go again when you are.

Using the GuideAlong App: Audio Tours for Awesome Road Trips

Have you ever wished that you had a tour guide in the backseat of your car for road trips through national parks or along scenic byways? The beauty of the GuideAlong App ( formerly known as GyPSy Guide ) is that it offers location-based audio tours to perfectly direct you to all of the best things to see and do along your way so you don’t miss a thing. Plus they are:

• Easy to use
• Allow you to travel and explore at your pace
• Quick to download for offline use

This post provides information on the benefits of guided tours and how to use the GuideAlong app throughout your amazing tours and travels in the United States, Canada, or Australia. The bonus? New audio tours are being created and added all of the time.

Table of Contents

What are the GuideAlong App Audio Tours?

As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page may contain affiliate links. I would love your support through clicking on the links. Read the full disclosure here.

The GuideAlong driving tours are the best audio guided tours that you can download that provide narrated guides for your road trips and scenic drives. It really is like having a tour guide in the backseat of your car for road trips!

The GuideAlong Audio Tours provide a guided commentary that uses free satellite GPS signal along with the GPS on your cell phone.

Even Yellowstone National Park recommends the GuideAlong narrated driving tours as one of their main tips for seeing the park with the best audio guides tours app. PS. If you know you will be driving in the mountains for your tours , be sure to brush up on your skills and safe driving tips.

How Does the App Work?

Begin by downloading the app and then selecting the audio tour for the destination of your choice.

Click the link below and then scroll to the bottom of the page to download the best audio tour app from the Apple Store or on Google Play .

Using free GPS signals provided by satellites around the world as well as your phone’s GPS chip, the GuideAlong app determines your location.

As you drive along, the GPS signal uses your location and when you pass a pre-determined point, the commentary from the app plays pre-recorded content automatically.

You don’t have to do anything to queue the commentary.

Your GuideAlong narrator may suggest side trips to take, crack a corny joke, give a history lesson of the area, share insights on significant historical figures from years gone by, or present behind-the-scenes stories to enhance your visit.

Often locals know of little known tips and locations to visit . GuideAlong shares them with you too. You can travel at your own pace, choose to skip a side route, spend a little longer at a scenic overlook, or return to a highlight on the route that sparked your interest.

The path and the timeline are up to you. You can start anywhere on the tour or start from the official tour start location. It is up to you.

There are no time limits to its use and no monthly subscriptions to maintain. As tours are updated, you will receive FREE updates.

Recently Added Tours

One of the benefits of guided tours with GuideAlong is that ALL of your purchase are yours to keep . Forever. So, if you have done any of these tours before, try them again or check out the newly added tours to see what is new for your upcoming travels.

• Keweenaw Copper Country Trail Tour in Michigan, USA
• Acadia National Park in Maine, USA
• Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia, USA
• Catskills in New York, USA

Check out these new tours here:

Benefits of Guided Tours

The benefits of guided tours with the GuideAlong App includes offering an immersive experience that enhances your personal trips and makes your already amazing tours and travels even more unique. How?

• Improves visitor engagement – The tours guide you to destinations along your route that may not be on your travel radar.
• Personalizes your experience – Because you can go at your own pace, stop where you want, or skip a certainly section you have the freedom to personalize your audio tour to you and your family’s needs.
• It’s like having a fun tour guide in the backseat of your car for road trips .
• Inspires you to travel to new destinations, especially if you have purchased a “bundle” and have the option to visit a variety of destinations.
• You don’t have to join a live group tour but can relax in your own car with your snacks and drinks.
• Flexibility and freedom – You can stop for the day when you want, pick up the tour the next morning, or come back to it next year!
• The tours are user friendly. Since they are GPS guided, you don’t have to worry about remembering where you were in the narrative or be tech savvy to queue up the next waypoint.
• I think you’ll be surprised at just how cost effective the tours and tour bundles really are.

Just Wander More GuideAlong Reviews

Sometimes all you need is a suggestion from others to inspire you to try something new. These GuideAlong reviews from Just Wander More articles show our enthusiastic support of these amazing tours and travels:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

In his research, my husband, Chris found an app called  GuideAlong . It was an excellent guided tour throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Using the wonders of GPS and satellites, the commentary played automatically as we passed a GPS point, sharing behind-the-scene stories, tips, side trips, and driving directions. The guide was excellent.

Yosemite National Park, California

Chris and I highly recommend the  GuideAlong app for Yosemite National Park  or other national parks you may be visiting this summer. The guides are available for a number of destinations, and provide lots of information, history, significant historical contributions of different people, and random interesting information.

GuideAlong Bundled Locations

Currently, the GuideAlong app offers audio tours throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia. You can purchase each tour separately or check out the pre-packaged bundles in a variety of locations to save money .

1. Utah “Mighty 5” National Parks

Includes Arches National Park , Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Zion National Park.

Buy the Utah Mighty 5 Bundle

2. Glacier National Park and US Northern Parks Tours

Includes the Black Hills, Badlands, and Mount Rushmore of South Dakota, Glacier National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park , Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park.

Buy the US Northern Parks Bundle

3. Yosemite, Grand Circle and California

Includes Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, GuideAlong Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway 1 , Capitol Reef, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas (Grand Canyon West, Hoover Dam, and Red Rock Canyon), Sedona , Yosemite National Park , and Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks.

Buy the Grand Circle and California Bundle

4. Canadian Rockies and Vancouver

Includes Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Yoho, the Icefields Parkway, Jasper, Vancouver , Whistler and locations along the Canadian Rockies .

Buy the Canadian Rockies Bundle

Buy the Canadian Rockies and Vancouver Bundle

5. Rocky Mountain National Park and All United States West Tours

This bundle includes Arches and Canyonlands, Big Sur , Capitol Reef, Badlands, Black Hills and Mount Rushmore, Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas (Grand Canyon West, Hoover Dam, and Red Rock Canyon), Sedona , Yosemite National Park , and Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks, Rocky Mountain National Park , and Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

Buy the All US West Bundle

6. Road to Hana Tour and Four Hawaiian Islands

The GuideAlong Road to Hana Tour and Four Hawaiian Islands includes Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Big Island, Hawaii (the complete collection of the Hawaiian Islands).

Buy the Road to Hana Tour and Hawaii Bundle

All of these locations can also be purchased as individual tours as well.

Buy the Road to Hana Tour

More Amazing Tours and Travels

If you are traveling to Montana and plan to visit Glacier National Park, download the audio tour from the Glacier National Park . Upgrade your vacation experience to a whole new level.

If your travels take you to the East Coast, take a GuideAlong Tour along with you to Great Smoky Mountain National Park , Vermont , or Key West in Florida .

The Australia tour includes the scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road .

There are many more GuideAlong driving tours not listed above. Check out the website to see if there are audio guide tours that fits your travel destinations this year .

Click the Pic to Search

Pair the GuideAlong app with an American the Beautiful National Parks Pass . The Pass will require a separate purchase but allows you entry to ALL National Parks within the United States.

Check out the Discovery Pass (also a separate purchase) when visiting National Parks within Canada.

How Do I Access the GuideAlong App?

The App is free to download from the Apple Store or on Google Play (scroll to the bottom of the link). You would then buy individual tours or bundles as IN-APP purchases.

Need a refresher on how to download an app ?

Follow these simple instructions:

• Open the Apple or Google Play App Store to GET apps for your device.
• Search for the GuideAlong app.
• Touch the “GET” button to download the app to your device (Note, there will be In-App Purchases).
• Click the button to Install the app on your device. If you see “OPEN” the app, you have already downloaded the app and simply need to open it on your device.
• Search or browse for content or destinations on the GuideAlong App that you wish to purchase.

What Happens if the Area You Visit Does Not Have a Great Cell Signal?

Download the GuideAlong App and the tour you have selected while you DO have wifi or good cell service.

Because the app uses the magic of GPS to automatically play the audio tours, you do not need to have cell service to use the app once you have downloaded your tour .

The GPS signal comes from satellites and is free.

Reminder * Download the App and your selected tour BEFORE you set off on your adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is guidealong worth it.

Yes! Sarahbera2 offers one of many reviews: “Wow! Significantly improved our trip to Maui! We are so impressed with the GuideAlong app, we bought the Maui packed and used it for road to Hana among other routes. The commentary is useful and spot on! We would drive by past something and say “I wonder what this is?” And then our audio guide would answer that exact question. It was so informative and perfectly paced. Can’t wait to use it in other areas of the world!”

Is GuideAlong free?

The GuideAlong app is free to download. Once downloaded, there are In-app Purchases for each of the audio tours or bundled tours you wish to enjoy.

Who is the GuideAlong Narrator?

Dave Pettitt, a Canadian actor who has also done voice overs for television series and video games, is the GuideAlong Narrator.

Do your GuideAlong purchases expire?

Once you make a purchase, that specific tour is yours for good. You can do the whole tour again, pick up where you left off, or start from the opposite end for MORE sensational views and information.

Are there any GuideAlong app discounts?

There is a FREE tour “ From Calgary to Banff ” that introduces you to the Canadian Rockies. Your best discounts would come from purchasing “Bundled” Tours.

When is the best time to download GuideAlong?

The BEST time to download the app and your selected tours is when you have access to WiFi or have good cell service. I recommend doing this BEFORE you set off on your adventures.

Is the GuideAlong app the BEST audio tour app?

In my humble opinion, yes. Check out the GuideAlong reviews if you want to read what other people are saying.

What does GPS mean?

GPS stands for Global Position System. It was developed by the U.S. Military and is free for anyone to use.

I have always wanted to see giant sequoia trees. Is there a GuideAlong Sequoia tour?

You can see the giant sequoia trees in the Grand Circle and CA bundle as well as in the Mariposa Groves of the Yosemite GuideAlong audio travel guide.

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Final Thoughts on Using the GuideAlong App for Awesome Road Trips

The GuideAlong App audio tours are amazing. You will love the stories, the quaint side trips, and intriguing historical information from the GuideAlong Narrator . Dave Pettitt has a voice that is interesting to listen to and his crazy “dad” jokes will have you laughing, rolling your eyes, or shaking your head! Your kids will love it too.

Headed to a national park this summer? Download the app today and bring GuideAlong audio tours on all of your road trips this summer. Consider giving the tours as gifts to family and friends as they set off on travel excursions of their own!

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I’m a Colorado-based travel blogger with a passion for exploring the world, enjoying family time, and taking fantastic photographs. I am also a book writing, creative thinking, detail loving, frequent flying, comfort loving mom of three girls and wife to an amazing guy. Discover More .

51 Comments

I had no idea this was even a thing! How cool! I am so excited to check this out.

We have enjoyed using the app. Hope you find it helpful as you travel.

This isn’t available in my country just now, but what a good idea. Love the idea of getting a bit of insider knowledge!

They seem to be expanding, slowly but surely. Hopefully it will make it to the United Kingdom and beyond soon.

This is a great find! I’d love to have it while still enjoying my alone time! Thank you for sharing.

It is pretty great. Let me know what you think if you decide to try it.

This app sounds SO cool. I’m definitely going to look into it. Thank you so much for sharing this!

You’re welcome.

Great explanation of the app! It sounds perfect for our full time RVing!

Thanks so much for sharing!! Always looking for new apps for trip planning, especially for the National Parks.

I had never heard of the GyPSy app before. But I do like the idea of getting an audio tour as I take a drive. And awesome to get tips from locals and tidbits of history. I will have to check this out on our next road trip.

I hope you love it.

I have never heard of this app. I wish they did destinations on the East Coast. I would buy it to get narrated tours of Skyline Drive in Shenandoah Park.

They have added more tours in the past year and I am sure they will continue to add more. Keep checking back.

This is so cool! I had no idea GyPSy Guide existed, and I really wish I’d known for my Utah Mighty 5 road trip. What a missed opportunity! I’ll know better now for my next road trip – thank you. Xx Sara

I haven’t heard of the GyPYsy guide before, but it’s definitely an app that I’d find useful. Thanks for recommending it!

Let me know what you think.

I’d never heard of GyPSy Guides before but it sounds so helpful! Especially great that you can download it so that it works where there’s poor reception, I’ll have to give it a try!

As most people here saying I had no idea about this app. I will give it a try when in Australia:) Thanks for sharing!

I’d love to try out the Australia tour as well!

what a fun app! I love audio guides!!!

I can’t wait to check out the GyPSy app on my next US road trip!

This sounds so awesome! We are heading to a few parks over spring break, so I’ll be sure to download this!

Wow, I didn’t know about this app out there, so helpful! thank you for putting it together

I hope you get a chance to try it. Let me know what you think of the audio tours if you do.

We really enjoyed listening to the tours last summer and hope to listen to a few more in our travels this summer.

How fun! This will be so helpful in national parks.

I never thought this was even possible! Love it! Thanks for sharing!

What a great travel app! New to me, I will definitely be sharing this with my kids on our next road trip. Thanks for sharing it – we love hearing local stories and legends.

This sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing about this resource!

GyPSy Guides are terrific! I purchased the Yosemite and the Candian Rockies tours and so happy that I did. The auto tour added so much to our experience.

We used the GyPSY app for the first time in Maui for Haleakala NP and the Road to Hana. We really enjoyed it, I cant wait to use it again at other parks!

This is such a good idea! Definitely the sort of tool I’d use as I’m not a guided tour kinda gal.

How did I not know this was a thing? This is definitely something that I will check out before our next vacation. Thank you for such an informative post on something I didn’t know existed!

Wow this is such an awesome app, I did not know this existed!

You learn something new every day! I will look into this app!

I love that there is an element of humanness to this guide. And of course, Gypsy Guides sounds great for those who prefer to listen rather than read. I had heard about this, so will look up the Hawaii one now 🙂

GyPSy Guide seems to be the best! We are planning an Australia trip soon and I will download this app. The tip to download earlier if there is no phone signal is great! Thank you for this great blog post. 🙂

What a great concept. I have never heard of it but will keep a lookout for the Australian ones. Thanks for sharing.

Wow! This is such an amazing application. Love the idea behind it. Self-guided tours are the best.

I’ve never heard of this before. But, since we are traveling to more and more places like this, I’m sure it will come in handy. Thanks for sharing!

I’ve never heard of this app, but it sounds really useful! I might look at trying it out. Thanks for sharing 🙂

I definitely need to check out this app. I love audio guides and I love that you can download it ahead of time!

Oh I’ve never heard of this app before but what a fantastic idea, thank you for introducing it to me!

This sounds like a great idea for an app in the modern day! I hadn’t heard about it before but I’ll definitely be checking it out now.

This sounds like a perfect app. We’ve used a similar app before on a tulip route in Flevoland, the Netherlands and thought it so convenient.

I’ve never heard of anything like this, but it’s such an incredible idea! That’s for sharing such a thorough review

This is such a helpful tool! I’ve gone on so many road trips and never new about GuideAlong. Thanks for sharing this.

What great useful information! I will bookmark this and remember to use on my travels

I pinned this for later as the hubs and I are discussing a road trip this fall. Very cool!

This peaked my interest so much that I had a look at their other guides and found that they have an Australian guide for the Great Ocean Road, so I may use that at some point. Thanks for the info!

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Last updated: July 30, 2021

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PO Box 128 West Glacier, MT 59936

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Narrated Driving Tour Apps by GuideAlong

Listen to an entertaining guide that automatically tells you stories about where you are while you drive..

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Wish you had a guide while touring Yosemite National Park? Download the GuideAlong (previously GyPSy Guide) App.

“We recognized that travelers prefer to set their own pace and itinerary, but still enjoyed a fun, informative and educational guided experience” says Rick Bulich, Founder of GuideAlong. “That became our inspiration. How do we recreate that experience for people who want remain independent and self tour?”

The app automatically plays a guided commentary as you drive, based on your location. The narration includes behind-the-scenes stories, explaining the spectacular geology and fascinating characters associated with Yosemite’s past and present, along with local tips with directions. It tells you about sights and side trips coming up so you can decide whether you want to stop. Because the app uses your phone’s GPS signal, not cell towers, no cell network or WIFI is required while touring.

See all tour locations, route maps, highlights, and listen to sample commentary at guidealong.com/tour/yosemite-national-park/

Driving up the coast? Get the guide to Big Sur and Hwy 1 .

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Joshua Tree Tour: Self-Guided Drive

Recommended by 92% of the travelers on tripadvisor.

Tour Details

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Welcome to the joshua tree tour.

Explore the rugged, mystical beauty of Joshua Tree National Park with a self-guided driving tour. This raw desert landscape features incredible vistas, stunning rock formations, and eponymous cartoonish trees. As you drive on the Joshua Tree tour and listen to stories around each bend in the road, keep an eye out for desert animals like the roadrunner, tortoise, and even bald eagle. 

You can start your Joshua Tree Tour at Joshua Tree Visitor Center, Cottonwood Visitor Center, or the Joshua Tree Cultural Center.

About the Tour

This self-guided driving tour begins at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center and follows the park road through this one-of-a-kind national park. As we leave civilization behind, we’ll hear about the Cahuilla tribe who once called this place home and get our introduction to Jim McHaney, who terrorized the townsfolk with his band of ruffians.

Then, of course, we’ll see the eponymous Joshua trees themselves. These funky plants look like something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book, but we can assure you they’re 100% real! Get the facts on why they look like they do and what the early Mormon pioneers thought they meant on this guided tour of Joshua Tree National Park.

Continue to a hiking trail that leads you to one of the park’s strangest sights: a bunch of rocks with cryptic spiritual inscriptions on them, left by an odd recluse almost 100 years ago. We’ll also fill you in on some of the wildlife you might spot while you’re in the park, from the pint-sized roadrunner to the elusive bighorn sheep.

Next, we’ll visit the ever-popular Hidden Valley Nature Trail, where the infamous McHaney Gang once kept their stolen cattle while waiting to sell them off. Then it’s on to Intersection Rock, a climbing hub that positively towers over the surrounding desert.

After that, we’ll head down into Lost Horse Valley and hear the dramatic tale of how it got its name. It’s a story involving horse theft, a risky move, and a tense encounter with the McHaney Gang. Keys Point awaits beyond this valley, the most famous vista point in the park, where visitors and locals alike flock to catch the sunset.

Up next, we’ll swing by the ominous Skull Rock and get a chance to visit some old, abandoned mines in Queen Valley. Then we’ll head to an observatory that’s perfect for stargazing and end up in the Oasis Visitor Center. Our tour concludes here, just outside Twentynine Palms.

We also have Hidden Valley Trail Joshua Tree Tour .

Complement your drive with these top hikes!

Here’s a PDF of the top 10 trails that are along our Joshua Tree tour. You get an overview of the approximate time it takes to do each trail and how easy or difficult the trail is. A quick list of the hiking trails featured in this downloadable PDF is below:

• Samuelson’s Hiking Trail
• Willow Hole Trail
• Quail Mountain Trail
• Hidden Valley Nature Trail
• Barker Dam Nature Trail
• Wall Street Mill Trail
• Cape Rock Nature Trail

Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail

• Queen Mountain Trail

Split Rock Loop Trail

Bonus Tour Enjoy the bonus tour of Hidden Valley Nature Trail. 

NOTE:  For road closures & reservation fees, visit  nps.com

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• 10 Tours from Las Vegas : Drive to 10+ national parks close to Vegas. Get the bundle for $49.99 and save 65%.

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Joshua Tree Map

Where To Start?

Starting Point Address: You can start your driving tour from any entrance closest to you.

Main Entrance (West): Joshua Tree Visitor Center – 6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

South Entrance: Cottonwood Visitor Center – Pinto Basin Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Northeast Entrance: Joshua Tree Cultural Center –  6533 Freedom Wy, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

The starting points of the hikes are mentioned in the PDF .

How Does It Work?

• Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
• Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If there are multiple versions or entrances for your tour, be sure to download all audio guides.
• To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
• The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
• Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.

What You'll See

Your tour of Joshua Tree begins in the town of the same name.

Town of Joshua Tree

Hear a little about the town of Joshua Tree as you drive toward the national park.

What's in a Name

Get the story behind the name of Joshua Tree National Park, starting over a hundred years ago.

Joshua Trees

Learn what makes Joshua trees so funky, including a little-known fact about them!

The Makings of a Desert

Discover the forces that actually turned this region into the desert you see today.

West Entrance Gate

Get some tips about pricing before you enter the park itself.

The Cahuilla

Uncover the history of the Cahuilla tribe who once occupied this region.

Bighorn Sheep

Learn about the daring climbers who roam throughout Joshua Tree National Park.

Hiking Safety

Hear some tips about staying safe while hiking in this harsh climate.

Samuelsons Rock

Hike a trail that leads to one of the most peculiar and mysterious landmarks in the park.

Native American Music

Discover the music of the tribes who lived in this area long ago.

Jim McHaney

Get acquainted with the infamous Jim McHaney and his gang of ne'er do wells.

Willow Hole

Take a walk to a gorgeous oasis in the middle of the seemingly inhospitable desert.

Quail Mountain

Find out how some hikers summit the tallest peak in the park.

Stop by an iconic landmark and try your hand at some light bouldering!

Hidden Valley Nature Trail & McHaney Gang Hideout

Stroll one of the park's most popular trails and hear more about the misdeeds of the McHaney Gang.

Intersection Rock

Discover what makes this huge formation the heart of the whole park.

Lost Horse Mountain & The Gold Thief

Hear the wild tale of a miner who struck it rich... almost!

Take a quick, easy hike around one of the most iconic formations in Joshua Tree.

Lost Horse Valley

Cruise through a scenic valley and hear the true story behind its name.

Trek to the remains of an abandoned gold mine out in the desert.

Enjoy one of the best views in the whole park, and the number one spot to catch the sunset.

Learn about stargazing in Joshua Tree and how to locate the north star.

Road Runner vs Wile E. Coyote

Find out why the desert of Joshua Tree might look a little familiar if you used to watch Saturday morning cartoons.

Hall of Horrors

Squeeze through some tight spaces along this hiking trail that's definitely not for the claustrophobic!

Hear more about the unique geology of this place and how it all formed.

Discover what it means for Joshua Tree to sit at the intersection of two deserts.

Queen Valley

Take a detour to another abandoned mine and find out how the whole operation went awry.

Listen to a retelling of an ancient Cahuilla legend about the first shaman.

Snap a one-of-a-kind selfie beside an ominous Joshua Tree landmark.

Hike a trail known for phenomenal desert blooms in the spring.

Desert Flowers

Find out how desert flowers survive and thrive in such a challenging ecosystem.

Cactus Wren

Get familiar with the source of a peculiar sound you might hear while exploring the park.

Changing Seasons

Hear how seasons in Joshua Tree might look a little different from the ones you're used to.

Sky's the Limit Observatory

Visit a spot with some of the best, least-obstructed night sky views around.

Cahuilla Traditions

Learn more about the culture and traditions of the Cahuilla people.

Oasis Visitor Center

Your tour concludes at the Oasis Visitor Center in the town of Twenty-Nine Palms.

Preview The Tour

  what is a joshua tree.

The weird, wiggly-armed Joshua trees look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, but they’re actually not trees at all! They belong to the yucca genus and are more closely related to a cactus than a tree.

  Why is it called Joshua Tree?

Joshua Tree gets its name from the weird and wild plants of the same name, but those plants first got their name from the Mormons. Mormon pioneers who first saw Joshua trees thought they looked like the Biblical figure of Joshua with his arms raised in prayer and named them accordingly!

  What is so special about Joshua Tree National Park?

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the few places on Earth where Joshua trees can still be found. It’s also the meeting point between two vastly different deserts: The Mojave and the Colorado. You can find more information on Joshua tree specialities in our blog.

  Is Joshua Tree National Park worth visiting?

Without question! Though harsh, this landscape is unlike anything you’ll see elsewhere. The beauty and serenity you can find here is truly something special.

  Are dogs allowed in Joshua Tree?

Dogs are allowed in Joshua Tree, but only in certain areas. If you’re planning on doing much hiking, check beforehand to make sure the trails you’ll hike allow dogs. It gets hot in Joshua Tree, and you definitely don’t want to leave your furry friends in the car!

  How big is Joshua Tree National Park?

Joshua Tree National Park covers a staggering 1,242 square miles of desert. That’s bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island! Read more on the sizing of Joshua in detail.

  Can you do a day trip to Joshua Tree?

While Joshua Tree is quite a large park, you can definitely see it in a day if you plan carefully! If you want to do a lot of hiking or bouldering, however, it might be wise to give yourself two days to fully enjoy the park without feeling the time pressure. Take a look at our latest blog post for a day trip to Joshua.

  What to do in Joshua Tree National Park?

Joshua Tree features some really amazing hiking and climbing opportunities for visitors of all skill levels. There’s also plenty of sightseeing for visitors who’d rather stick close to their vehicle. Whatever you do, you should definitely plan to catch a sunset while you’re in the park!

  Is Joshua Tree nice in the winter?

Winter is actually one of the nicest times to visit Joshua Tree! With mild daily highs around 60, you’ll be able to explore and embark on some of the park’s longer hikes without battling the desert heat. Learn more about Joshua in winter in our blog.

  Can you see the Milky Way in Joshua Tree?

Most nights, the Milky Way is indeed visible from Joshua Tree National Park. Just make sure you’ll be out on a clear night and give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. Read more in our blog post about the milky way .

  What are the entrance fees at Joshua Tree National Park?

A weekly pass to enter the park is $35 per vehicle, $25 for a motorcycle, or $15 if you enter on foot or on a bike. An annual pass costs $55 per vehicle. Joshua Tree also accepts America the Beautiful passes, so if you’ve got one of those, you can get in for free!

  Is there cellular and WiFi service in Joshua Tree National Park?

Cellular data is extremely sparse within Joshua Tree, and WiFi is only available as visitor centers. It’s important to have offline navigation options when visiting the park.

  Name some of the Annual Events in Joshua Tree National Park?

The Joshua Tree Music Festival takes place each spring, and is a great opportunity to soak up some desert vibes. The park also hosts an annual Night Sky Festival in September for avid stargazers.

  What are some Joshua Tree National Park Facts?

Climbers love Joshua Tree for good reason, as the park boasts around 8,000 different climbing routes. The whole park might not exist if not for one woman, Minerva Hoyt, who took it upon herself to protect this amazing landscape.

  Can you do a Self-Guided Tour of Joshua Tree?

Absolutely! Joshua Tree is too large and too spread out to make the most of a bus or van tour, so a self-guided Joshua Tree Tour in your own vehicle or rental is a great alternative.

Inclusions and Exclusions

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GREAT SMOKY MTNS NATIONAL PARK TOUR

• Location: NC & TN, USA
• Audio Points: 180
• Valid: No expiry
• Start: Gatlinburg, Cherokee, or Townsend
• Direction: Multi
• Download: ~87Mb

Tour Route Map

Audio preview.

Highlights Include

• Chimney Tops
• Clingmans Dome
• Grotto Falls
• John Oliver Place
• Laurel Falls
• Mingus Mill
• Morton Tunnel
• Newfound Gap
• Oconaluftee Farm Museum
• Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

What to Expect

A diverse set of experiences await you in the most visited National Park in the US.

Don’t miss the immensely popular Cades Cove with its collection of historic homesteads, preserved buildings like Cable Grist Mill and churches. The scenic valley is also one of the best and most reliable areas to see wildlife, including bears.

Crossing the park using Newfound Gap Road , you’ll enjoy that typical mystical scene from Newfound Gap with the blue fog rising from the valleys – the reason why they’re called the Smoky Mountains. Enjoy a side trip to Clingmans Dome , the highest peak in the park, and take the short but steep hike up the walking trail to the flying saucer-style viewing platform.

The 5.5 mile one way loop Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail leaves from right in Gatlinburg and features lush, hardwood forest, Rainbow Falls and the Place of a Thousand Drips , as well as more historic cabins like Noah “Bud” Ogle’s , grist mills, and other preserved buildings.

No matter what your hiking ability or level of enthusiasm is, the Smokies has a trail for you. Maybe one of the short and easy Quiet Walkways is your style. Moderate choices include the Grotto Falls Trail where you maybe lucky enough to see the llamas hauling supplies to LeConte Lodge trekking behind the waterfall.

Or perhaps it’s a steep challenging trail like the Chimney Tops hike that’s on your list. 

Hear stories about the hardy pioneers and founders of the Park, wondrous wildlife and stories about Cherokee Nation culture and museums, all while you explore Great Smoky Mountain National Park at your own pace.

Suggested Start Location

Gatlinburg, Cherokee, or Townsend

Suggested Time

In a single day you’ll be able to visit the highlights of Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome and Cades Cove. If you have an extra day, consider saving Cades Cove for its own day and add Roaring Fork Nature Motor Trail. With more time available, stop to enjoy hiking opportunities and time in the towns.

Driving Distance

There are 145 miles of touring inside the Park

WHY ARE THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS UNIQUE?

More than 12 million annual visitors make Great Smoky Mountains National Park the most visited of America’s National Parks. Spreading across the North Carolina-Tennessee state line, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers hikers, wildlife lovers, photographers, waterfall chasers and campers a 522,000-acre playground where they can reconnect with nature.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS?

Summer and Fall are the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s high seasons . Summer sees visitors flocking here for high-elevation hikes and in Fall the mountains turn into patchwork quilts of color as the leaves change.

Conversely, Winter and Spring see fewer visitors. During Winter, some facilities will be closed, but hikers will have trails to themselves and can experience the park in a way few visitors do. Spring begins to see visitors return, drawn by wildflowers, warming days and wildlife. 

WHAT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PART OF THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS?

Driving Newfound Gap Road is a highlight for many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park . This 33-mile road passes a number of scenic overlooks and trailheads including Clingmans Dome where the views are impressive. Other popular highlights include Cades Cove Loop and the Roaring Fork Motor. Nature Trail.

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS?

Most visitors can experience Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 3 days , visiting pockets of the park like Clingmans Dome and Newfound Gap, Cades Cove, and the areas around Sugarlands and Oconaluftee Visitors Centers; getting in a couple of short hikes; and finding a waterfall or two where they can rest and recharge. 

WHEN IS THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS OPEN?

Great Smoky Mountain National Park is open daily, year-round, with some facilities closing for the slower, colder winter season . Clingmans Dome Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail close to automobile traffic in late November and reopen in early April, and inclement weather causes the temporary closure of some roads like Newfound Gap Road during winter.

ARE THERE ENTRANCE FEES FOR GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has no entrance fees or admission costs, but the park is introducing mandatory parking tags in March 2023 .

Consider making a donation to Friends of the Smokies who Preserve Protect and Provide for needed projects.

WHEN CAN I SEE THE FIREFLIES IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS?

The Elkmont area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the home to a rare sight: a colony of synchronous fireflies. For two weeks from late May through early June, they rise from the grass in a field near the campground to blink out their mating call message. Each spring, a lottery for parking passes and access to the synchronous firefly field takes place. It’s only $1 to put your name in the hat for a chance at one of a few thousand passes.

Trip Planning

Reservations and vehicle access.

A lottery determines who gets to view the synchronous fireflies that are usually on display for a few weeks around late May to late June. For more details, visit the NPS website .

Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to all vehicles on Wednesdays from May through September to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians and their safe use of the scenic loop road.

Trailers, RVs and buses are prohibited on some secondary roads in the park , including Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Trip Planner

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Narrated Driving Tour Apps by GuideAlong

Listen to an entertaining guide that automatically tells you stories about where you are while you drive..

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As you explore Grand Canyon National Park or enjoy nearby scenic road trips to places such as Sedona, Ariz., chances are you’re missing so many incredible stories and facts just below the surface. What you need is a guide in your passenger seat. The GuideAlong (previously GyPSy Guide) App solves that problem.

The narrated driving tour app uses your phone’s location to automatically play entertaining and informative commentary about behind-the-scenes stories, historical events and notable geologic formations as you drive. In doing so, it tells you about upcoming sights, so you have time to decide if you want to stop. Because the app uses GPS signal, not cell towers, no service or WiFi is required while touring.

On the Grand Canyon’s South Rim you’ll learn about famed architect Mary Colter who designed a number of iconic buildings along the rim, excelling in a traditionally male-dominated world.

“It’d be such a shame if you didn’t know her story as you passed the Bright Angel Lodge,” Rick Bulich of GuideAlong muses. “It adds a whole extra dimension to your sightseeing experience.”

In Sedona, the app will make sure you don’t miss stops like the best rock formations and magical vortexes – mysterious earth-energy centers.

For more information: Grand Canyon National Park guidealong.com/tour/grand-canyon-south-rim/

Las Vegas: Grand Canyon West, Hoover Dam & Red Rock Canyon guidealong.com/tour/grand-canyon-hoover-dam/

Sedona guidealong.com/tour/sedona/

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NPS Audio Description Tours 4+

National Park Service

Designed for iPhone

Iphone screenshots, description.

This app includes audio description designed to assist blind and low vision visitors in navigating and experiencing exhibit spaces at the parks listed below. At some parks, the content has been paired with bluetooth proximity triggers that automatically update and provide description for what's nearby as you walk through exhibits. Check at the main visitor center desk for more information about what's available. This app is designed to be used with the voiceover screenreader on your phone.

Version 1.1

Resolved issue with offline access

App Privacy

The developer, National Park Service , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

• App Support
• Privacy Policy

More By This Developer

NPS Independence Junior Ranger

NPS Kenai Fjords

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Ultimate Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

TICKET PRICES STARTING FROM

Taxes and fees will be calculated at checkout

Recommended: purchase one tour per car. Everyone can listen at the same time! Experience Maine’s most beautiful sights with this narrated driving tour! Cruise through Acadia’s pristine wilderness, hear the legends of the Native tribes who once called this place home, summit the majestic Cadillac Mountain. Plus, visit the quaint, picturesque coastal town of Bar Harbor along the way. Due to poor signal in the park, enable OFFLINE MODE while driving. After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route. New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips! This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Ticket Options

1 Option Available

Ultimate Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $16.99

Ticket Information

• Mobile or paper ticket accepted
• One per booking

What's Included

• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

What's not Included

• National Park Passes: $35 per vehicle

Cancellation Policy

• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Additional Info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
• How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
• Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It's perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
• Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
• Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
• Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
• Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
• Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app's features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.

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As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

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The app that turns your smartphone into an audio tour guide to Joshua Tree National Park

Just Ahead frees you from fumbling for maps or flipping through guidebooks. You simply drive as we guide you to all of the park’s many wonders.

Download on the App Store Download for Android

Written by National Geographic and Outside Magazine Author Bob Howells

Tour Content Covers More Than 120 Miles of Joshua Tree Roads & Hundreds Of Destinations

Approved by the National Park Service and the Joshua Tree National Park Association

Joshua Tree National Park

Just Ahead’s GPS-guided smartphone audio tour of Joshua Tree National Park guides you to the dramatic landmarks and secret treasures that make this 800,000-acre desert park such a spectacular place to visit. As the scenery rolls by, Just Ahead tells you exactly what you’re seeing, and gives you background on the nature and human history of the park. All you need to do is turn on the app and enjoy.

Sample a few of the 200+ stories that play automatically as you drive to and through Joshua Tree National Park:

• Joshua Tree Intro
• Hidden Valley
• Barker Dam Nature Trail
• Lost Horse Valley

With the Just Ahead app loaded onto your smartphone, you get:

A narrated tour of every paved road in the park (and many dirt roads, too), no matter where you enter or which direction you travel. It even works offline, with no Internet access.

Hours of audio stories that play as you drive through the park at your own pace…covering Mojave Desert wildlife, Native American sites, prospector history and mining ruins, quirky desert characters, rock climbing hotspots, and behind-the-scenery stories…

Insider tips on side trips, day hikes, jaw-dropping vistas, campsites, family adventures…

Park highlights and local favorites, including:

Hidden Valley • Wonderland of Rocks • Indian Cove • Native American Rock Art • Barker Dam • Keys Ranch • Desert Queen Mine • Oasis of Mara • Lost Horse Mine • Keys View • Ryan Ranch • Ryan Mountain • Skull Rock • Cottonwood Spring Oasis • Black Rock Canyon • Cholla Garden • Ocotillo Patch • and Much, Much More

Exhaustively researched, constantly updated . We’ve done the work so you can make the most of your precious vacation time. Simply listen, enjoy, explore…

No need to thumb madly through maps and guidebooks or wonder what you just missed. Just Ahead informs you, entertains you, and gives you an experience of the park you’d never have on your own. It’s like having a friendly park ranger along for the ride!

Download on the App Store Download for Android Free Trial

Struggling to get a reservation at a National Park? You can now sign up for availability alerts

You can receive free alerts when someone else cancels their National Park campsite, entry, tour or vehicle reservation

Are you feeling frustrated from sitting in endless online queues trying to secure reservations for US National Parks months in advance? Bagging campsites, tours and timed entry tickets has grown increasingly difficult as interest in visiting National Parks has risen, but all that looks set to get easier with a new Availability Alert system.

Securing a campsite in a park like Yosemite has long required a reservation six months in advance, while more recently, parks like Zion , Arches and Rocky Mountains have started introducing timed entry systems to help reduce congestion. As we explain in our article on navigating the National Parks reservation system , there are workarounds to this, such as entering the park very early, visiting in off-season and camping nearby. 

Not everyone has the flexibility to use these loopholes, however, and Availability Alerts are meant to help you secure a reservation without spending hours on your computer or knowing your plans months in advance.

Tested since last summer by Recreation.gov, Availability Alerts are now a permanent feature and mean that for some of the busiest parks, you can subscribe to receive a free alert whenever there's a cancellation for a park entry, campsite, tour or vehicle permit. Then all you need to do is dust off your tent , pack your hiking boots and head out for an adventure.

The feature won't alert you to regularly scheduled ticket releases so you'll still need to head to Recreation.gov for those and not every National Park site is featured yet, but here's a list of the current National Parks you can receive an Availability Alert for:

• Arches National Park Timed Entry
• Arches National Park Tours
• Bryce Canyon National Park Full Moon Hike Tours
• Bryce Canyon National Park Private Horse Reservations
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park Tours
• Crystal Cave Tours Sequoia National Park
• Glacier National Park Vehicle Reservations
• Haleakala National Park Summit Sunrise Reservations
• Joshua Tree National Park Tours and Programs
• Mammoth Cave National Park Tours
• Mesa Verde National Park Tours
• Picket Wire Canyonlands Guided Auto Tour
• Voyageurs National Park Special Interpretive Programs
• Voyageurs National Park Tours
• White Sands National Park Tours
• Wind Cave National Park Tours
• Yosemite National Park Ticketed Entry

There are also dozens of other National Park sites such as National Monuments and Preserves listed.

How does it work?

First, create an account at Recreation.gov then head to the Ticket Location page and select the Set Availability Alert button. Select the service you want to be alerted for, such as a tour, campsite or National Park entry, then enter your desired dates (there's an option for flexible dates +/- three days). Enter the number of tickets you need and save the alert.

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If a reservation slot becomes available, you'll receive an alert on your phone, but so will everyone else who has signed up for that alert, so keep your phone nearby and respond quickly. 

• Camping in US National Parks: a complete guide

Julia Clarke is a staff writer for Advnture.com and the author of the book  Restorative Yoga for Beginners . She loves to explore mountains on foot, bike, skis and belay and then recover on the the yoga mat. Julia graduated with a degree in journalism in 2004 and spent eight years working as a radio presenter in Kansas City, Vermont, Boston and New York City before discovering the joys of the Rocky Mountains. She then detoured west to Colorado and enjoyed 11 years teaching yoga in Vail before returning to her hometown of Glasgow, Scotland in 2020 to focus on family and writing.  

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