Keys Ranch Tour
Joshua Tree National Park Tours and Programs
Discover the colorful lives of Bill and Frances Keys and learn how they survived and raised a family in the harsh desert environment on the Keys Ranch Tour. Explore the ranch house, school room, store, workshop, and more treasures from the 60 years the Keys called this area home. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, the property is located in a remote, rocky canyon in Joshua Tree National Park.
Keys Ranch tours last 90 minutes and involve about a half-mile of walking. Keys Ranch tours are currently limited to selected dates as shown on the Recreation.gov calendar. Due to temperature extremes, tours might not be available during the hottest summer months (May, June, July and August). Reservations are available up to 60 days in advance and until the day before the tour.
Select a date to see a list of times
Need to Know
- Reservations Required
Visiting Keys Ranch is by reservation only. Reservations are available up to 60 days in advance and until the day before the tour. No walk up tickets are available. Ranch tours frequently sell out and reservations are the only way to ensure a spot is available for you and/or your party. All visitors must have a ticket, including infants. Tickets are NOT available at the national park or visitor centers. Tickets and reservations are available only through Recreation.gov. Visitor Centers cannot make changes to existing reservations.
- Booking Window
Tour reservations can be booked up to 60 days in advance. Advance tour reservations end at 9:00 pm Pacific Time prior to tour date. No walk up tickets are available.
- Meeting Place
Keys Ranch tours begin at the Keys Ranch locked gate and parking area (not at the visitor center). Do not rely exclusively on your mobile GPS, Siri, or similar automated navigation systems for directions to Keys Ranch. Routes can be misleading and incorrect. Please be at the Keys Ranch gate 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
If entering the park through the West Entrance on Park Blvd., in addition to normal travel time, be prepared for an additional delay of up to 30 minutes due to congestion at the entrance gate.
Travel time to the Keys Ranch from Oasis Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms is approximately 40 minutes. Travel time from Joshua Tree Visitor Center is approximately 35 minutes, plus an additional delay of up to 30 minutes due to congestion at the gate. Travel time from Cottonwood Visitor Center is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Please be on time. If you are not at the Keys Ranch gate by the time your tour is scheduled to begin you will miss the tour and will not receive a refund.
- Restricted Area
Keys Ranch is a protected historic site. Visiting Keys Ranch is restricted to ranger led tours only. Unauthorized access without a ranger may result in arrest and/or fines.
- Fee Area
Keys Ranch is located within Joshua Tree National Park and a fee is required to enter the park. Interagency Annual, Senior, and Access passes are accepted. For more information about park fees, please visit https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/fees.htm
- Time Zone
Joshua Tree National Park is located in the Pacific Time zone and observes daylight savings time.
- Duration
Keys Ranch tours last approximately 90 minutes and involve 1/2 mile of walking.
- Be Prepared
Sturdy walking shoes, drinking water, sunscreen, and a hat will add to your comfort. Dress in layers to be prepared for changing weather conditions.
- Photography
Cameras are welcome on the Keys Ranch tour, however tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are prohibited.
- Pets
Pets are not permitted on the tour and cannot be left unattended in vehicles. Service animals are allowed in accordance with federal law.
- Smoking and Eating
Smoking and eating are prohibited on the Keys Ranch Tour.
- Strollers
Strollers are prohibited on Keys Ranch tours. Infant backpack or carriers are permitted. Youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older on all tours.
