Keys Ranch Guided Walking Tour in Joshua Tree National Park
by Coachella Valley | June 12, 2015 1:32 pm
Keys Ranch Guided Walking Tour
In the high desert country that was to become Joshua Tree National Park, rugged individuals tried their luck at cattle ranching, mining, and homesteading. William F. Keys and his family are particularly representative of the hard work and ingenuity it took to settle and prosper in the Mojave Desert.
The ranger-guided tour of the ranch includes the colorful story of the 60 years Bill and Frances spent working together to make a life and raise their five children in this remote location. The ranch house, school house, store, and workshop still stand; the orchard has been replanted; and the grounds are full of the cars, trucks, mining equipment, and spare parts that are a part of the Desert Queen Ranch story.
Visiting the Ranch Listed as a National Historic Register Site, the property is located in a remote, rocky canyon in Joshua Tree National Park. To preserve its historic character, admission to the ranch is restricted to guided walking tours. The tours are a half-mile in length and last 90 minutes. Group size is limited to 25 people.
[1]On the Keys ranch in Joshua Tree National Park you will find Bill Keys favorite vehicle. That day I had this fantastic cloud with bright sun but desert soil is bright a reflects a lot of light to help open the shadows. I wonder if Bill parked here or if it just broke down and there it stayed. None the less it is part of all the character of the ranch preserved by the National park service. A slice of life from the early 1900’s. by John Aydelotte
Tour Schedule From mid-June through the end of September 2015, tours will be offered on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am and on Saturday evenings at 6:00 pm.
Cost Keys Ranch tours cost $10 per person aged 12 and over and $5 for children 6 to 11. Children under six are admitted free. Senior and Access Pass (Golden Age and Golden Access passport) holders pay $5. These tour fees do not include the park entrance fee of $20 per car, good for a seven-day visit. Entrance fees are payable at park entrance stations.
Reservations You may book a tour by calling 760-367-5522 between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm any day of the week. Space will not be reserved until payment is received; credit cards are accepted. Tickets may also be purchased prior to the day of the tour at the Joshua Tree and Oasis visitor centers. Tickets are no longer sold at the ranch gate.
[2]This old Mac truck had hard rubber tires and a chain drive. It is found on the Keys Ranch in Joshua Tree National Park. A few years ago Bill Keys sun got into it started it up and drove it around since then the Park Service has rendered it non operational. Bill Keys was a Miner and a Rancher. he went to jail for murder but later had a retrial and was acquitted. Erle Stanley Gardner the writer of Perry Mason was the one who fought the wrongful conviction of Bill. by John Aydelotte
Directions To find the ranch, pass the entrance to Hidden Valley Campground, turn left at the Y-intersection, follow the road approximately two miles to the locked gate. Your guide will meet you there.(See map.) Please arrive at the ranch gate 15 minutes prior to your tour.
Safety & Comfort Sturdy walking shoes, drinking water, sunscreen, and a hat will add to your comfort. Dress in layers to be prepared for changing weather conditions.
Smoking and eating are not allowed during the tour. Camcorders and cameras are permitted but camera tripods are not. (You may inquire about special tours for photographers and other artists.)
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