Joshua Tree Climbing & Yoga Retreat

You do not need to be an athlete or an experienced climber to join this retreat.

You should be comfortable hiking up to three miles over uneven desert terrain while carrying a daypack with water, snacks, layers, and climbing gear. You should also be able to squat, step up onto rocks, and move around on uneven ground throughout the day.

Climbing in Joshua Tree involves sandy approaches, uneven trails, scrambling around boulders, and spending full days outside. We’ll choose climbing areas that make sense for the group, but being comfortable moving on varied terrain will help you enjoy the weekend more.

No. A lot of people come to our retreats with little or no climbing experience.

If you’re brand new, we’ll start with the basics: how to put on a harness, tie in, belay, communicate with your climbing partner, and move on real rock. You will not be expected to know what you’re doing before you arrive. That’s what we’re here for.

If you’ve climbed in a gym but never outside, this is also a great place to begin. Outdoor climbing can feel different at first, and our guides will help you understand the systems, movement, and pace of climbing on real rock.

Yes. This retreat is for climbers of all abilities.

Joshua Tree has a huge range of climbing, from low-angle slabs and funky face climbs to crack systems and more adventurous routes on classic desert granite. We split into smaller groups based on experience and goals, so more experienced climbers can focus on movement coaching, footwork, crack technique, confidence on slab, route reading, and getting more mileage outside. Or if you want to focus on skill building we can delve into anchor building, rappelling, and maybe even rescue scenarios.

You won’t be stuck in a beginner group if that’s not the right fit for you.

For this retreat, participants do not lead climb.

Our guides manage the technical systems and set up climbs for the group so we can keep the days running smoothly and safely. That said, experienced climbers will still have plenty to work on. Depending on your goals, we can focus on more challenging movement, crack climbing technique, slab climbing, route reading, efficiency, and building confidence on Joshua Tree granite.

If you’re unsure whether the retreat will be a good fit for your experience level, reach out before registering and we’re happy to talk it through.

Yes. Your group placement is not permanent.

We’ll split into groups based on experience, goals, and comfort level, but those groups can shift throughout the retreat. If you start with the basics and realize you want more challenge, we can adjust. If you try something harder and decide you’d rather spend the next day building confidence on easier terrain, we can adjust that too.

We check in throughout the weekend so the climbing feels useful, supportive, and appropriately challenging.

Not at all. Most people do.

The majority of women who join our retreats sign up without a friend. That’s part of what makes the weekend feel the way it does. People arrive open to meeting each other, and connection tends to happen pretty naturally through small climbing groups, shared meals, yoga, carpooling, and all the little in-between moments at the crag.

You do not need to arrive with a built-in partner. You’ll have people to climb with.

All participants must be 18 or older to attend.

Most participants are in their late 20s, 30s, and 40s, but we regularly have women outside that range join us too. Age matters less than curiosity, attitude, and the physical ability to move through full days outside.

If you’re excited about climbing, willing to try, and comfortable with the physical requirements, you’re likely in the right place.

We’ll stay at Field Station Joshua Tree in Yucca Valley, just outside Joshua Tree National Park.

Rooms are simple, comfortable, and designed with outdoor travelers in mind. After full days of climbing, it’s a good place to come back to: real beds, hot showers, space for gear, and shared areas where the group can gather between climbing, yoga, and meals.

Both private rooms and shared Double Queen rooms are available.

We recommend flying into Palm Springs, which is about 50 minutes from Field Station Joshua Tree in Yucca Valley.

You can also fly into Los Angeles or Las Vegas, but both require a longer drive. Most participants either rent a car or coordinate carpools with other guests. Before the retreat, we’ll help connect participants who are interested in sharing transportation.

You are responsible for getting yourself to and from Field Station, but we’ll make it as easy as we can for people to coordinate.

Not necessarily, but the group will need vehicles to get between Field Station, Joshua Tree National Park, and climbing areas each day.

Before the retreat, we’ll help participants coordinate carpools. If you are flying in and do not plan to rent a car, you’ll have a chance to connect with others who may have space. Park entrance fees are charged per vehicle and are not included in the retreat cost.

We run this retreat rain or shine, but climbing plans may shift depending on weather, conditions, and guide judgment.

If rain, wind, heat, poor air quality, or other conditions make a specific climbing area unsafe or unpleasant, we may adjust the schedule, choose a different area, focus on technical skills, hike, or offer another appropriate activity. Outdoor trips require some flexibility, and our guides will make decisions with safety and the group experience in mind.

We strongly recommend purchasing trip protection, especially if weather would significantly impact your experience.

Yes, we can accommodate most dietary restrictions.

We commonly support gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free needs. You’ll have a chance to share your dietary restrictions before the retreat so we can plan meals accordingly.

If you have a severe allergy or a very specific food need, please reach out before registering so we can talk through what is possible and make sure you feel comfortable.

Unfortunately, no.

We love pets, but we cannot allow them on group retreats or clinics. This helps us keep the experience safe, focused, and comfortable for the whole group.

We’ll send a detailed packing list before the retreat, but in general you’ll want comfortable clothing for climbing, layers for cool mornings and evenings, approach shoes or sneakers with good tread, sun protection, a daypack, water bottles, and personal items.

Joshua Tree weather can vary quite a bit. You may be climbing in a t-shirt during the day and reaching for a warm jacket at night, so layers are important.

You do not need to purchase climbing shoes, a harness, or a helmet unless you want to bring your own.

Yes. Payment plan options are available for this retreat.

Please visit our Payment Plans page for the most current details, or reach out if you have questions about which option makes the most sense for you.

We have a strict cancellation policy, and we strongly recommend purchasing trip protection after registering.

Retreats require advance planning, guide bookings, lodging reservations, permits, and other non-refundable costs, so we are not able to make exceptions outside of the cancellation policy. Trip protection can help protect your investment if illness, travel delays, family emergencies, weather concerns, or other unexpected issues come up before your retreat.