The Integratron is a 38-foot-high, 55-foot-wide white dome standing alone on a desert plain in Landers, about twenty minutes northwest of Joshua Tree. George Van Tassel, an aviation engineer turned contactee, built it beginning in the 1950s, telling visitors that it was designed on instructions from extraterrestrials as a machine for rejuvenation and time travel. It was never completed as he imagined, but the all-wood structure, built without metal fasteners, turned out to have remarkable acoustics. Today, small groups lie on mats in the upper chamber while a practitioner plays crystal singing bowls, and the sound bathes the room in slowly shifting resonance.
A session is about an hour. You arrive, walk up to the second-floor chamber and lie on a mat with blankets provided. The practitioner plays quartz bowls and sometimes gongs, and the dome's structure carries the sounds in odd ways, so the tones seem to hover and drift.
Many people describe deep relaxation, and some fall asleep. Skeptics find it pleasant in any case, as a rare chance to lie still in a beautiful building with no phone. Reservations are essential, and weekend slots often sell out weeks ahead, so book as early as possible once your dates are firm.
The history is half the charm. Van Tassel hosted gatherings at nearby Giant Rock, a huge boulder where spaceship conventions were once held, and the dome remained unfinished after his death in 1978. A later owner restored it and opened it to the public, and the setting has appeared in art, music and fashion shoots. The immediate surroundings are bleak and beautiful, a wide basin with the San Bernardino Mountains rising in the distance. A small gift area and tea garden are on site, and the grounds are open only to ticketed guests.
Practical notes
Arrive on time, since late arrivals are not admitted, wear loose, comfortable clothing, and leave your phone silenced. Children below a minimum age are not admitted, so check the policy when you book. The drive is on roads that may be rough in places, and the nearest services are in Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree.
Combine the session with a stay in town, a visit to the Noah Purifoy museum, and dinner at Pioneertown for a day of the desert's stranger side. Verify details on the Integratron's own site, as formats and capacity can change.
What to expect
The experience
A group sound bath of about an hour inside a historic wooden dome, lying down with blankets.
Best time
Any time of year, with an evening slot popular for the atmosphere; book weeks ahead for weekends.
How long
About an hour for the session, plus time to arrive and look around.
Tips
Arrive on time, wear loose clothes, silence your phone and book early.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Curious travelers who want a restful, unusual experience.
- Families
- Check age minimums; it is not suitable for restless young children.
- Couples
- A distinctive shared experience.
- Pair with
- Noah Purifoy's museum and dinner in Pioneertown.
- Time needed
- Two hours with the drive.
Good questions
Is the Integratron really a time machine?+
No. It was conceived by George Van Tassel in the 1950s, and today it is known for its acoustics.
How do I book?+
Through the Integratron's own site. Weekend sessions sell out well in advance.
What should I wear?+
Loose, comfortable clothes. Blankets and mats are provided.
Can children come?+
There is a minimum age. Check the policy when you book.
Where is it?+
In Landers, about twenty minutes from Joshua Tree.