From Red Jeep to the most recognized desert adventure in Palm Springs
What’s a girl to do when her mom pioneers the first Jeep tour company in the Coachella Valley, grows it into the biggest and best in the region, and then says, “I’m retiring”?
For Kimberly Renee, the answer was clear: follow in her legendary mother’s tire tracks—red Jeep tire tracks, to be exact.
“It’s a fabulous company,” Kimberly beams when speaking of Desert Adventures, also known widely as Red Jeep Tours. Founded by her mother, Mary Dungans, the business has become a hallmark of outdoor adventure in Palm Springs. As of January 2019, Kimberly and her husband, Boo Nilsson, are the company's proud owners and operators. (Yes, Boo is his real name. It’s Swedish—and surprisingly common in Sweden, Kimberly assures.)
The Origins of Red Jeep Tours in Palm Springs
The story begins in 1985, when Mary Dungans visited Palm Springs on a meeting planner FAM trip while working in sales at the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage. During that trip, she experienced a Jeep tour in Sedona — and immediately saw an opportunity.
Why not offer guided Jeep tours in the California desert?
Two years later, in 1987, Mary and her husband Charlie launched Desert Adventures with a single three-seat red Jeep. Mary handled sales and marketing, while Charlie focused on creating immersive desert experiences rooted in geology, ecology, and local history.
That combination — business savvy and authentic storytelling — helped set Red Jeep Tours apart from the beginning.
A Family Legacy Comes Full Circle
Kimberly grew up helping with the business but eventually charted her own course, earning a Ph.D. in social psychology and building a life in Santa Barbara. Years later, she returned to the desert with Boo Nilsson, a Swedish-born tech CEO who leaped into experiential tourism.
In January 2019, Kimberly and Boo officially assumed ownership, ensuring that Desert Adventures remained a family-owned Palm Springs tour company and that its founding values remained intact.
Desert Adventures Remains a Top Palm Springs Outdoor Experience
Decades later, Desert Adventures consistently ranks among the top outdoor activities in Palm Springs. The company offers:
- San Andreas Fault Jeep tours
- Guided hiking experiences
- Stargazing under desert skies
- Joshua Tree National Park tours
- Private group, corporate, and special-event excursions
Their tours have hosted everyone from wedding parties to corporate retreats and have even served as backdrops for productions such as Top Chef and Victoria’s Secret.
Exclusive Access: Metate Ranch on the San Andreas Fault
One of Desert Adventures’ most distinctive offerings is exclusive access to Metate Ranch, an 800-acre private preserve located directly on the San Andreas Fault.
This dramatic landscape features:
- Narrow slot canyons
- Ancient palm oases
- Fossil beds
- Striking fault-line geology
“When you walk through these canyons, you’re literally standing where the Pacific and North American plates meet,” Kimberly explains. “It’s something you can’t experience anywhere else.”
This exclusivity makes Red Jeep Tours one of the most unique geological tour experiences in Southern California.
The World’s Largest Fleet of Vintage Jeep Scramblers
Another signature element: the Jeeps themselves.
Desert Adventures operates the largest fleet of classic Jeep Scrambler CJ8s in the world, 15 vintage vehicles built between 1978 and 1984, each seating up to seven guests.
“They’re part of the experience,” Kimberly says. “Mom knew these Jeeps would be unforgettable.”
Why the Jeeps Are Red
The iconic color wasn’t accidental.
“Pink was taken,” Kimberly jokes, nodding to Sedona’s famous Pink Jeep Tours. But red had its advantages: it stands out against desert landscapes, photographs beautifully, and has become a branding symbol that guests instantly recognize.
Today, many visitors know the company simply as Red Jeep Tours — a testament to that early decision.
Expert Guides Make the Difference
Ask repeat guests what sets Desert Adventures apart, and you’ll hear the same answer: the guides.
Each guide completes an eight-week training program covering:
- Desert geology and geography
- Native flora and fauna
- Cahuilla history and culture
- Storytelling and guest engagement
Many guides have been with the company for 20 years or more.
“Our guests often say they’ve learned more in three hours than in decades of living here,” Kimberly says.
A Growing Business with Deep Roots
Though Mary and Charlie now split their time between Maui and the mainland, they remain involved—particularly in group sales, which boast an impressive 80% repeat booking rate.
Meanwhile, Kimberly and Boo continue expanding the company while staying true to its founding mission: education, conservation, and heartfelt hospitality.
“The desert still has secrets,” Kimberly says. “Sharing them never gets old.”
Book Your Tour Today
Ready to explore the best of Palm Springs’ natural beauty? Visit www.red-jeep.com or call (760) 324-5337 to reserve your seat in a red Jeep today!
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