What a cute and fun adventure! We were in town for Stagecoach and booked several extra days to enjoy the heat and we’re so glad we booked this.
Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ





At a glance
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Price from
- $139 / person
- Location
- Palm Springs, United States
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 207 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 46
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Covered Wagon Tours
- Meeting point
- Exit the 10 Fwy at Washington St. in Palm Desert. We are 4.0 Miles north from the freeway exit on Washington & 2.5 Miles past Del Webb Blvd. Look for the sign on right. Make a right after the sign at the driveway. Take the short desert road to the parking at the top, Welcome to Covered Wagons!
Description
We are a true Eco Tour company in the state of California using wagons and mules to tour an ancient wilderness. You will have to go to Colorado or Montana in the summer to do something like this. A truly unique western experience. Where can you take a wagon tour pulled by mules into the desert wilderness in the world? No where but here! We are an authentic and unique desert tour that showcases the natural flora and fauna of the Palm Springs Desert ecosystem. Our live entertainment is professional and very enjoyable. We offer optional dancing lessons, games and great food. The most total inclusive and immersive desert experience in the Coachella Valley. Adventurous, educational, beautiful, unique, fun, delicious, happy, Hallmark Movie is what we have been described on our reviews! The good old days are still here at Covered Wagons!
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sat
- Start times
- 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM, and 5:30 PM
- Next available
- Wed, Oct 14
- Adult (ages 13+)
- $139
- Child (ages 3–12)
- $114
- Infant (ages 0–2)
- Free
Out at sunset: the 3:30 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 6:03 PM in the coming weeks.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 10.
Tour Options
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
How it compares in Palm Springs
- No. 21 by number of reviews among 134 tours in Palm Springs
- Starting price $139 is close to the typical $139 for tours of similar length in Palm Springs
Excurgo comparison of 134 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please send a message or call the supplier the day before your travel date to check in for directions and time, the tour operator's contact information is under your tickets
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ take?
Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ lasts about 3 hours.
How much does Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ cost?
Prices start at $139 per person for this Palm Springs experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, starting at 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM, and 5:30 PM.
How much does Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ cost for children?
Children aged 3–12 pay from $114, adults from $139. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Exit the 10 Fwy at Washington St. in Palm Desert. We are 4.0 Miles north from the freeway exit on Washington & 2.5 Miles past Del Webb Blvd. Look for the sign on right. Make a right after the sign at the driveway. Take the short desert road to the parking at the top, Welcome to Covered Wagons! Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 46 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 207 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Covered Wagon Tours.
Reviews(207)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
This was a fun experience. The guide was knowledgeable and personable. There was a real family atmosphere. The food was very good. I enjoyed learning about the desert plants and the area. The music was fun. Even though we did not join the dancing it was fun. The 2 teenagers with us enjoyed the games and the whole experience.
Had a great time fun and informative. Nice friendly staff, owners are on sight greating the guest. Food was good and plenty BBQ to go around, you will get full. Plenty of non alcoholic drinks. So if you need a beer bring your own. Had a great time and you will too.
It was great. The guides, entertainment, servers, operator and everyone embody hospitality. It was our first time. The tour was interesting. Our guide, Paul, was knowledgeable and cares about the desert. The food was good. We especially liked the chicken. The music, singing and dancing was fun even though we don't really dance. We both cannot say enough about the warm hospitality.
This experience was absolutely worth the drive from Orange County! We booked the later tour to accommodate our travel time to Indio, and it was the perfect way to spend an evening. From the moment we arrived, we were transported back in time. The grounds are beautifully set up like an authentic wagon-era camp. While waiting for our tour, we enjoyed live music with some truly amazing vocalists and tried our hand at the outdoor games—though I learned the hard way that I definitely can’t rope a steer, even a stationary one! A few highlights from our trip: BYOB: We loved that we could bring our own adult beverages to enjoy throughout the evening. The Tour: Fun, engaging, and packed with interesting history about the grounds and the local area. The Vibe: Returning from the tour just as the sun was setting was magical. The temperature was perfect, and the BBQ dinner was delicious and fit the theme perfectly. Entertainment: The music under the tent and the family-style seating made for a great social atmosphere. We enjoyed this experience so much that we were already wishing they offered an overnight camp option! If you’re looking for a unique, high-quality adventure, I highly recommend this tour. We will definitely be back!
It was an amazing time!! The grandkids absolutely loved it. The 6 year old gave it thumbs up. He liked the cowboys, food and dancing. I would do it again!!!
What a fantastic tour! George, our guide, knew so much about the San Andreas Fault, the Hidden Oasis, and the myriad of geology, flora and fauna at the Coachella Valley Preserve. I knocked off an item on my bucket list at the fault line and saw my first true oasis. The covered wagon tour was so much fun! The bbq dinner was delicious, and the country music throughout the evening was some of the best I've ever heard. The whole experience was worth every penny and more! Thanks for a stellar evening of memories, y'all! Yeehaw!! We cannot wait to come back for another wonderful experience!
Great family friendly activity. The music, dancing and show were very fun. The staff were very attentive.
The staff was wonderful. Food was absolutely delicious. The ride was awesome, and when you get to the palms for a walk, you learn alot and your on the san Andreas fault line. George and the mules were great. Barn dancing and fire at night under the stars. The sunset was absolutely amazing while you eat dinner outdoors in the desert. I would recommend it to everyone. We had a great evening experience. Arrived at 5 and left at 930. Please ck this off your bucket list.
My family of four went on the covered wagon experience April 1st and thoroughly enjoyed our time. My adult children said this was the "highlight of their trip". None of us knew exactly what to expect going in, but were amazed by how organized everything was and how fun it was every step of the way. The musicians were entertaining and engaging. The barbecue and desert were delicious! I would highly recommend this excursion to anyone looking for an unique experience.
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