Where to Stay in Joshua Tree – Best Areas in and Around the National Park

Named after its peculiar shaped trees, the beautiful Joshua Tree National Park, California, is a stunning desert oasis so big that you’ll need more than one visit to see it in full! As tourists, we only get to see 15% of the Park, the remaining 85% is wilderness. I know it might seem that it’s only you in the desert, but the park is home to almost fifty-five mammal species! So definitely don’t let down your guard while you stay in Joshua Tree National Park.

Although loads of travelers come here for stargazing, the sunsets are pretty spectacular too! But enough small talk, now let’s find the best spots and vacation rentals for where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park.

There are no accommodation options inside the national park itself but don’t worry, I’ve looked through hundreds of hotel lists to find the unique ones around Joshua Tree. There are 3 entrances to the park where I will be giving you recommendations, 1 in the South and 2 in the North. To clear up any confusion, I will be referring to the north entrance that is closer to the park’s westside as the Northwest entrance.

Some hotels may have the luxury of a hot tub or a fire pit, but one thing in common is that they all have amazing reviews! One thing that you’ll have to worry about is booking ASAP! You know how fast accommodations near National Parks sell out, especially if you’re looking for a camping site, so definitely start looking now!

Let’s go, the desert of Joshua Tree is waiting for us!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

If you want to book your accommodation for where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park now, then quickly browse this list with the best hotels all located around a Joshua Tree North entrance:

Here’s a map of all the areas where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park that I will be talking about in this post:

1. Twentynine Palms – near the North entrance of Joshua Tree

Surrounded by mountain and desert views, this lovely town is just 5 miles from the North entrance of the Joshua Tree National Park. Home to the Park Headquarters and the Oasis Visitor Center, you won’t find a more convenient stay near the park than the village of Twentynine Palms.

Before you run to do all the hiking and visit the cool spots in Joshua Tree National Park, I highly recommend taking advantage of the fact that you’re staying outside the park and exploring the colorful village. The Twentynine Palms Old schoolhouse Museum offers a great insight into the town’s history, and if you’re into more artsy stuff, the 29 Palms Art Gallery is worth a visit.

I’m sure all of you will want to find accommodation close enough to the Park to catch a cool sunrise just before you go climbing or to sneak in and spend the whole night stargazing! The village offers a wide range of hotels near Joshua Tree National Park, from luxurious to budget ones.

But Joshua Tree is also famous for some super unique Airbnbs so if you’re looking for something a little more special, check out this list of the best Airbnbs near Joshua Tree. I would book them in advance though as the Park is one of the hottest spots to visit in California, especially during spring and autumn!

Other accommodation options in Twentynine Palms

Things to do in Twentynine Palms & North Joshua Tree

• Explore the famous Oasis of Mara trail
• Admire some art at the 29 Palms Art Gallery
• Try your luck at the Tortoise Rock Casino
• Go for a swim in the pool at Luckie Park
• Visit the Old Schoolhouse Museum near Joshua Tree
• Learn new things about the town’s history at Twentynine Palms Historical Society
• Take a trip into the park and check out Arch Rock

2. Joshua Tree Village & Yucca Valley – near the Northwest entrance

These 2 towns are the best places to stay near the Northwest entrance (sometimes referred to as the West entrance to Joshua Tree). The Village is located just 5 miles (8 km) away from the park, and Yucca Valley is located 11 miles (17 km) away from it. I personally wouldn’t miss a chance to explore both of these villages before going hiking or stargazing in the National Park!

Don’t just think of them as your hotel location, take time to check all the attractions here like the Desert Christ Park in Yucca Valley and I don’t know if you love crochet as much as I do, call me grandma but I find it to be so cool! If you do too, make sure you stop by the World Famous Crochet Museum in Joshua Tree too.

The two towns are super different in terms of atmosphere so you can still pick the one that suits your style! The town of Joshua Tree is more laid back and it’s where everyone goes to connect with nature. It’s the kind of place that artists and designers frequent. In contrast, Yucca Valley has more amenities like big shopping stores, and it’s a favorite amongst families!.

And if by any chance you’re thinking of spending a few more days in California, I highly recommend visiting Los Angeles too. Now, let’s find the best places to stay here.

Other options in Joshua Tree Village & Yucca Valley

Things to do in Northwest Joshua Tree

• Explore the World Famous Crochet Museum in the Town of Joshua Tree
• Take a pic of one of the statues at the outdoor Desert Christ Park 
• Go climbing with ​​Stone Adventures near Joshua Tree Park
• Learn about desert ecosystems at Hi-Desert Nature Museum
• Admire the rock formations of the Coyote Hole Canyon, near the West Entrance
• Eat and listen to some live music at the Pappy + Harriet’s Music Venue
• Stop by the Joshua Tree Visitor Center and get a map and some advice

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3. Indio – the South entrance of Joshua Tree National Park

Located 20 miles (30 km) away from the Joshua Tree National Park South entrance and just 3 hours from San Diego. Indio, a town famous for the Coachella Music Festival, is one of the best places to stay if you want to be close to the park’s South entrance.

Although you’ll probably hurry to get to the Joshua Tree National Park, take some time to explore this picturesque village. Enjoy the views of the distant foothills at sunset and take advantage of the fact that you have easy access to a few golf courses and museums.

The South entrance is located on the side of the Colorado Desert, and usually, people who look for hotels here seek more tranquility, and of course, they want to avoid the big queues. You should consider that if you stay near the South entrance, you’ll be further away from most attractions than if you would stay near the West or North entrances but at the same time, you will likely see fewer people!

Indio has its fair share of cool attractions that you can visit before heading to Joshua Tree Park.

The Coachella Valley History Museum is one of them, where you can learn tons of interesting facts about the town’s history. And if you’re more into outdoor activities, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the beautiful hike around Indio Hills Badlands Trail, the views as the sun sets over the desert are quite spectacular here!

Other accommodation options in South Joshua Tree

Things to do in South Joshua Tree

• Learn new things at The Coachella Valley History Museum 
• Try your luck at Spotlight 29 Casino while you stay near Joshua Tree South
• Go for a hike before sunset around the Indio Hills Badlands Trail
• Play a game at the Eagle Falls Golf Course 
• Visit the Empire Polo Club near the South entrance of the Tree National Park Joshua

4. Palm Springs – where to stay near Joshua Tree for luxury

This area is located in Southern California, on the Western border of the Joshua Tree National Park, halfway between the North and South entrances. Although it’s close to the park, there’s a 50-minute drive to reach any of the entrances as there are none on the western side.

Usually, people who come to stay here spend most of their trip in Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs and then go for a day trip to visit the Park, which makes sense considering the distance between the two locations. Don’t worry though, I’m sure you will love every minute of your holiday here as you will be able to find some glamorous world-class amenities!

The Greater Palm Springs area includes a few cities like Indio and Desert Hot Springs, and it has been a top destination for Americans since the 50s. Palm Springs is not your typical desert town, this place is filled with amazing spa resorts, pool parties, and hiking trails. You get the desert activities but with a touch of luxury!

You can’t beat the views here, and those who play golf or even mini-golf will be the luckiest ones, as they’ll be able to enjoy them all day long! There are tons of attractions in Palm Springs for each type of traveler. My favorite one is the Moorten Botanical Garden. It has so many cactuses and plants, but the star of the show has to be the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the largest rotating tram car in the world!

Other accommodation options in Palm Springs

Things to do in Palm Springs

• Admire the pretty cactuses at the Moorten Botanical Garden
• Visit the Palm Springs Art Museum
• Try your luck at the Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
• Spend a whole day at the Escena Golf Club
• Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and see the best views of Mount San Jacinto

👑 Luxury price:	$200
💵 Mid-range hotel:	$150
🛏️ Budget:	$100
🏠 Airbnb:	$200
💰 Accommodation prices:	Medium
📍 Best Area:	Twentynine Palms (North Entrance)
🛎️ Best luxury hotel:	Roadrunner’s Roost
👛 Best budget hotel:	El Rancho Dolores

BONUS: Best camping sites inside the Joshua Tree National Park

I know that some of you will still want to feel that thrilling experience of staying inside the Park. Although the comfort of a bed and breakfast or boutique hotel might make tons of travelers happy, some prefer to get in touch with nature and spend their night stargazing from their tents and RVs.

I’ve made a list of where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park that contains the best camping sites and vacation rentals! You can call up and make a reservation, but some of the spots in the campground are allocated first come first served so you’ll have to keep that in mind when traveling!

1. Black Rock Campground
For this one, you will have to call in advance to make a reservation. Black Rock Campground is located on the Northwest side of the Joshua Tree National Park, it has ninety-nine camping sites, and you have to pay $25 a night to secure your spot. You can bring both your RV or tent to this Tree Joshua campground, and each area has a picnic table and a fire ring, perfect for those late-night drinks and storytelling with your friends!

2. Cottonwood Campground
If you’re looking for where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park in the Southeast corner of the area, this campground is for you. This one doesn’t work on a first-come, first-served basis, so you will need to make reservations in advance and there are sixty-two campgrounds here with toilets, each campsite here costs $25. Unfortunately, RVs and habitable trailers are not allowed on the Cottonwood Group Campground. However, some family campsites can accommodate an overall combined length (including a towed vehicle) of up to 35 feet. 

3. Hidden Valley Campground
The spots in this campground are allocated first come first served, all year round! Although you’re in the desert, you will be surrounded by huge rocks and Joshua Trees! There are forty-four sites in the Hidden Valley Campground. If you’re looking to pay less, this campground might be for you as the fee is only $15 per campsite. You can bring both your tent, RV, or trailer but the last two should not exceed a combined maximum length of 24 feet. 

Frequently asked questions about Joshua Tree National Park

Conclusion

I’m afraid this is where our virtual journey ends! But yours is just beginning and I hope this post helped you decide where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park, California, whether you should stay at the West entrance, North or South and also I hope you’re ready to spend some cool nights in the desert campgrounds, there’s nothing like it!

There are many amazing hotel options for where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park, but I’m going to help you a bit more and give you my top two favorite spots, both located near the North Entrance of the Park

• Roadrunner’s Roost – A luxurious Joshua Tree house that has a patio
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel – One of the best places to stay that has BBQ facilities

I know some of you might forget but I’m here to remind you to book these hotels which are some of the best places to stay in Joshua Tree in advance, this is a top tourist location and all the good deals disappear in a second!

Enjoy the wild west atmosphere in this cool spot! I’m excited to hear all about your experience in the National Park Joshua Tree, California so leave me a comment below, I’ll make sure to reply!

Safe Travels

Victoria

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