Considering a visit to Joshua Tree National Park? If you plan to spend a few days exploring the park, you have many options for where to stay near Joshua Tree.
Joshua Tree National Park is a gorgeous desert national park in Southern California, famous for its massive boulder formations and the unique namesake Joshua trees.
There are many fun things to do in Joshua Tree, from hiking the best Joshua Tree trails and stargazing to bouldering and rock climbing, and observing the flora and fauna.
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While you can visit Joshua Tree National Park as a day trip from the Los Angeles area, or spend a day in the park as part of a California road trip, you can also easily spend several days exploring all there is to see and do in the park at leisure.
Good to know: Late winter through spring is the most popular time to visit Joshua Tree National Park, because the weather is great for hiking and sightseeing, plus you have the chance to see wildflower bloom and succulent bloom in the park. In good years, the wildflower show can be a showstopper.
If you plan to visit Joshua Tree National Park between late February and mid May, lock in your accommodations early to avoid disappointment!
Where to Stay When Visiting Joshua Tree National Park
When visiting Joshua Tree National Park, you can choose to stay inside the park, or north of the park in the towns of Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms, or west of the park in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, or Indio.
Yucca Valley is a little further away from the park along Highway 62, but also a good option. And Pioneertown, an old west themed town, offers vacation rentals as well.
North of Joshua Tree NP: Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree
North of the park, the small but colorful communities of Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree offer lodging, dining, and shopping.
You will find chains here, as well as boutiques and bed-and-breakfast properties, and a number of nice vacation rentals.
You’ll want to stay in the communities north of the park if you want to be close enough to pop in to see a desert sunrise or do an early morning hike, or visit after dark to stargaze without a long commute after.
Joshua Tree National Park is generally open 24/7 (but call or visit the park website to confirm before you visit). So it’s easy to go back into the park at night for astrophotography, or to visit an oasis early or late to look for birds or wildlife.
Staying in or around the smaller communities near the park also makes you feel like you are in the desert, without the need to camp.
The towns are super small and quirky, and, even better, you can even pick a place that is away from the towns and really secluded.
A little further from the park are Yucca Valley and Pioneertown. They are good options if you plan to split your time between exploring Joshua Tree National Park and the cities of the Greater Palm Springs Area.
Yucca Valley is a larger town and you will find grocery stores and other shopping here as well. Pioneertown has a wonderful Wild West movie set vibe and its restaurants, especially Pappy & Harriet’s, make for fun dining.
West of Joshua Tree NP: Indio, Palm Desert, and Palm Springs
West of the park, you can stay in one of the desert cities of Greater Palm Springs, but these cities are further away from the park, so you would have a commute each morning and evening.
From Palm Springs, the drive to the west entrance to Joshua Tree takes just under one hour. From Indio, the drive to the south entrance is just 30 minutes, and from Palm Desert, the south entrance is about 45 minutes.
You’ll want to stay in one of the larger cities west of the park if you like to hike and enjoy outdoor activities during the day but want a plethora of dining and entertainment options in the evenings. Or if your time in the region is limited and you will visit Joshua Tree just for one day.
Inside Joshua Tree National Park: Camping
There is no lodging available inside Joshua Tree National Park.
If you want to stay in the park, camping is the way to go. There are many campgrounds from which to choose. Reserve well in advance, especially in you plan to visit for the weekend in high season.
And if you have your heart set on camping but the sites in the park are full, there are privately-run campgrounds outside the park.
Our Experience
We have not camped in the park (although renting an RV and spending a few nights inside Joshua Tree National Park is on our wish list).
But we have stayed in the town of Joshua Tree, in Palm Desert, and in Palm Springs on the three occasions we have visited the area.
We visited Joshua Tree National Park on all three trips. From Palm Desert, we drove to the park via the south entrance, which is great for viewing wildflowers in early spring and for hiking in the Cottonwood Spring area.
From Palm Springs, we drove to the west entrance, which took us about one hour each way. While this makes sense if you are doing a day trip, it is too long of a commute for multiple day visits.
Joshua Tree NP is one of the easiest and most popular day trips from Palm Springs and the surrounding desert communities. You can even visit Joshua Tree if you are spending a weekend in Palm Springs.
Best Places to Stay North of Joshua Tree National Park
Great Vibe House, Twentynine Palms
This beautiful vacation home is located just minutes from Joshua Tree National Park. With two bedrooms and two baths, the home also has a fully-equipped kitchen and a patio with mountain views.
Enjoy the lovely hot tub and spa, and the fenced yard.
The Kosmic Tortoise Luxury Tent
Looking for a unique stay in the desert? The Kosmic Tortoise offers luxury tents close to the park entrance. Some units are air-conditioned and come with a separate sitting area.
Enjoy the outdoor showers and the experience of glamping in the desert.
Fairfield Inn & Suites
This Marriott property is located about four miles from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. The hotel offers a 24-hour market, laundry and dry cleaning facilities, a gym, and a whirlpool.
Rooms are spacious and comfortably furnished. Book a stay here!
Cabin on Border of Joshua Tree National Park (VRBO Vacation Rental)
This 1,100-square-foot cabin bordering the national park has one bedroom and one bathroom, with a sleeper sofa and futon. It’s a dreamy getaway for two, but can sleep up to four guests.
The bedroom features a super comfy Earthing king-sized bed with a down comforter. The living room is spacious, with comfortable seating. There is a full kitchen.
The property also offers a seasonal swimming pool and a year-round hot tub, and the property features gorgeous desert views.
Rancho Deluxe, Twentynine Palms (VRBO Vacation Rental)
A beautiful retro retreat in the desert, just 10 minutes away from Joshua Tree National Park, Rancho Deluxe offers space to spread out, beautiful furnishings, and a hot tub!
A fully-stocked kitchen allows you to cook if you so choose, and the living room features a pullout with a memory foam mattress if there are four of you. The master bedroom has a queen bed.
The outdoor dining area has a fire pit and a charcoal grill, and the grounds offer room to walk around. Board games, books, and Netflix make for a fun stay!
Sacred Sands, Joshua Tree
Under 4 miles from the Joshua Tree Visitor Center at the West Entrance to Joshua Tree National park, Sacred Sands is a very highly rated guesthouse offering two luxuriously furnished rooms with private patios.
Relax in an outdoor tub, enjoy the rain shower in the bathroom, admire the desert sunrises and sunsets, and relax in the quiet seclusion of the property!
Sacred Sands is definitely one of the best places to stay in Joshua Tree. It’s not inexpensive, but you will love your stay here!
AutoCamp, Joshua Tree
Want to stay in an Airstream when you visit Joshua Tree National Park? AutoCamp Joshua Tree is located less than a 10-minute drive from the park and offers an outdoor swimming pool and lounge area.
Airstreams are rated comfortable and are well-appointed, with a spacious kitchen and bath. The campers are spaced out for privacy and will allow you to soak in the desert vibes without forgoing comfort!
La Luna Azul, Joshua Tree (Plum Guide Vacation Rental)
Just a few minutes’ drive from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, La Luna Azul is a highly rated secluded property surrounded by boulders.
The 2-bedroom home has tons of windows to let in the light and views of the desert. Enjoy the outdoor hot tub, barbecue grill, and fire pit.
Inside you will find a bright living area, fully stocked kitchen, a master bedroom with a king bed, and a second bedroom with a queen bed.
Bould Over, Joshua Tree (Plum Guide Vacation Rental)
A 2-bedroom 2-bathroom home on the edge of the national park, Bould Over is a secluded property is set in the midst of five acres of desert, with boulders scattered about just like inside the park.
With a relaxed decor that takes inspiration from the landscapes outside, the home features high ceilings and large windows. The spacious bedrooms offer super comfy beds and there’s a full kitchen and games room.
Outside, you’ll find a hot tub and a cowboy-style soaking tub, as well as a fire pit an outdoor shower and barbecuing facilities. Enjoy spectacular desert sunsets and stargazing!
Las Alas del Sol, Joshua Tree (VRBO Vacation Rental)
A 2-bed, 2-bath upscale property in Joshua Tree, Las Alas del Sol is a mid-century modern with a unique roof. It is located a mere 15-minute drive from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, and close to Joshua Tree Village.
With fabulous desert views and beautiful furnishings, this property will allow to experience the desert in peace and quiet. Up to four guests are permitted on the property at any one time.
Desert Wren Place, Yucca Valley (VRBO Vacation Rental)
Desert Wren Place features 2 bedrooms and 2 ensuite baths. The air-conditioned home offers a clean minimal aesthetic, perfect for unwinding. It is located about 20 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park.
Outside, you will find an outdoor dining area, hammocks, fire pit, and a hot tub. In front is a covered patio, perfect for coffee in the mornings.
Inside you will find comfortably furnished and spacious living and dining spaces, and a full kitchen.
Cabin in Pioneertown (VRBO Vacation Rental)
This Pioneertown cabin is located walking distance from Pappy & Harriet’s. The two bedroom, two bath home is located on a corner lot, with fabulous views of Pioneertown Mountain Preserve.
Inside you will find a Sleep Number king bed in the master bedroom and a queen bed in the other bedroom. Outside you will find a dining area and a fire pit.
Best Places to Stay West of Joshua Tree National Park
The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
We stayed at the Westin Desert Willow Villas on one of our trips to the region. The units are super spacious, with lots of room to spread out, and our bed was very comfortable.
A full kitchen allows you to cook if you so choose, and the units feature full washers and dryers. There are hiking trails adjoining the property. Shopping and dining are just a few minutes away.
El Paseo, Palm Desert (VRBO Vacation Rental)
If you are looking to rent a house for your Palm Desert stay, check out this mid-century modern villa, a 2-bedroom house near the El Paseo shopping area. It features a saltwater pool and a private patio with outdoor seating.
With upscale furnishings, and a stocked kitchen, the house is perfect for up to 4 guests.
Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, Palm Springs
The Kimpton Rowan is a hip contemporary hotel in the center of Palm Springs. The hotel features a year-round outdoor rooftop pool and spacious, well appointed rooms.
Relax on the sun terrace, which has mountain views. Enjoy the free use of bicycles for the duration of your stay.
The Martini House, Palm Springs (VRBO Vacation Rental)
This classic mid-century modern home is close to downtown Palm Springs, yet feels quiet and peaceful. The bright home has 1,200 spacious square feet, with two bedrooms and two full baths.
Enjoy the private pool outside and comfortable living spaces inside. The kitchen is fully stocked, and there is a sun porch for relaxing.
Staying Inside Joshua Tree National Park
There are currently eight campgrounds inside Joshua Tree National Park, with a total of 500 campsites.
Campgrounds are scattered through the park, so you can decide where you wish to base yourself. Water and flush toilets are available only at select campsites, such as Black Rock and Cottonwood. For more detailed information on each campground, visit the park website.
From September to May, the busy season for the park, you can reserve a campsite ahead of time. Reservations are highly recommended because the sites tend to get full on weekends during this time, and full all through the week in the spring (February through May). You can reserve at recreation.gov.
Between May and September, individual campsites are first come, first served. Some campgrounds may be fully or partly closed during this time, so call ahead to confirm before you arrive.
RVs and trailers are allowed on some campgrounds at Joshua Tree National Park. Renting an RV to stay inside the park is on our wish list! If you would like to rent an RV, check out Outdoorsy!
Outdoorsy is an RV rental marketplace where you can find the perfect vehicle for your trip. Enjoy all the mod cons while you camp out in the desert!
If you can’t find a campsite inside Joshua Tree National park for the dates you wish to visit, check out privately-run campgrounds north or south of the park.
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