Celebrated for its otherworldly desert landscapes and starry night skies, Joshua Tree National Park is a playground for adventure seekers. The surrounding town of Joshua Tree is famous for its vibrant art scene, along with accommodations inspired by the area’s history and natural wonders. Visitors can choose from a variety of unique lodging options, including restored cabins, traditional yurts, lux Airstream trailers and colorful adobe cottages, catering to a range of itineraries and budgets. From Pioneertown to Twentynine Palms, these are the best places to stay in and around Joshua Tree:
28 Palms Ranch (Twentynine Palms)
28 Palms Ranch has nearly a dozen authentic Mongolian yurts filled with amenities, making for a truly pampered glamping experience. All yurts have queen-size beds, plus convertible bean bag beds for extra guests, along with sinks, heaters, air conditioning, dressers, tables and seating. Private bathroom facilities are located just steps from each yurt, with flushable marine toilets and heated outdoor showers. Camp chefs will enjoy the barbecue grill and fully-equipped outdoor sink (coolers are also provided), and each yurt also has a shaded picnic table, fire pit and seating. Nearby restaurants serving breakfast and lunch include Cactus Trails Cafe and Campbell Hill Bakery, while Grnd Sqrl and Taqueria 29 are some of the top-rated spots for dinner.
Rimrock Ranch (Pioneertown)
Tucked in the hills of Pioneertown, Rimrock Ranch has four cabins, a main lodge house, the secondary Hatch House and a retro-fitted Airstream, all of which are masterfully decorated. With original knotty pine paneling and period furnishings, the lodge and cabins epitomize rustic chic, while the Hatch House, named for its impressive collection of woodblock Hatch Show Prints, has a decidedly modern aesthetic. The houses and cabins are equipped with kitchens (one cabin has a kitchenette), plus wifi, heat and air conditioning, while the Airstream has heat, air conditioning and a coffee maker. Guests have access to the observation deck, plunge pool, barbecue grill and propane fire pit, offering an ideal venue for weddings and other events. Rimrock Ranch is just half an hour from the west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, and just a few minutes from the lesser-explored Pioneertown Mountains Preserve. Photos courtesy of Rimrock Ranch.
Cascade Trails Mustang Sanctuary (Joshua Tree)
Cascade Trails Mustang Sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of mustangs, giving guests the rare opportunity to interact with these majestic creatures in a serene desert setting. The sanctuary offers trail rides, lessons and one-on-one equine experiences, and while some horses as used under saddle, others simply live their best lives in the high desert. In addition to 20 rescued horses, the sanctuary is also home to a handful of goats, chickens and dogs, making this a dream trip for animal lovers of any age. Glamping enthusiasts will take delight in the accommodations, which include half a dozen bell tents and a geodome, plus three primitive campsites. The bell tents have bedding, portable heaters and camp tables, and though there is a shared mobile toilet, some units have outdoor showers. The geodome has its own restroom and shower, and all units are spaced out across the 50-acre property, giving guests maximum privacy.
AutoCamp Joshua Tree (Joshua Tree)
AutoCamp Joshua Tree delivers the perfect mix of adventure and luxury, not to mention some of the most Instagram-worthy accommodations in the California desert. The property has 47 custom-designed Airstream trailers and half a dozen sleek modern cabins, all of which are furnished with chic, comfortable interiors. The trailers and cabins have bathrooms stocked with high-end toiletries, and each unit has a private fire pit and grill. Common areas include a clubhouse, an outdoor lounge, a communal fire pit and a pool, making this an ideal location for events. The general store has a variety of healthy snacks, plus items like grill kits and firewood, and the on-site Kitchen cafe serves everything from smoothies to pizza, with a daily happy hour.
29 Palms Inn (Twentynine Palms)
Located around the Oasis of Mara, the 29 Palms Inn is a family-owned establishment with a collection of historic adobe bungalows, rustic cabins and suites. Several of the cabins are tucked among fan palms by the oasis, and most accommodations have private patios and decks. Embracing simplicity, most rooms do not have internet, fridges or coffee makers, though there is coffee and continental breakfast served every morning, along with wifi in the common areas. The grounds offer ample opportunities for exploration and relaxation, with yoga classes, live music, a heated pool and an organic garden, which produces fruits and vegetables year-round. The on-site restaurant is perhaps the highlight of the property, offering a mouth-watering menu of farm-to-table fare straight from the garden, along with other locally sourced ingredients.
The Bungalows (Joshua Tree)
The Bungalows sit on the 152-acre Joshua Tree Retreat Center campus, and guests can expect a tranquil environment conducive to relaxation and rejuvenation. Each of the 14 bungalows, which were restored in 2022, have simple yet elegant decor, and amenities include kitchens (kitchenettes in double rooms), cozy bathrobes and indoor dining spaces. In addition to private patios, the Bungalows also have a communal outdoor space with propane grills and a fire pit. Guests can attend a variety of classes at the retreat center, including yoga, tai chi and meditation, and the on-site Food For Thought cafe serves healthy, locally sourced meals Wednesday through Sunday. Images courtesy of Homestead Modern.
Mojave Sands Motel (Joshua Tree)
Situated in the heart of Joshua Tree, the Mojave Sands Motel blends minimalism and eco-friendly design, all while offering guests plenty of privacy. The property was originally built in the 1950s and completely remodeled in the 2000s, and with polished concrete floors, walk-in showers and thoughtful decor, this is the definition of modern boutique lodging. Mojave Sands has just five rooms, two of which have kitchenettes and larger floor plans, and one even has an outdoor bathtub. The large courtyard features a koi pond, tables, loungers and gorgeous desert landscaping, and the six-foot privacy fence around the property includes secure parking. The motel is conveniently located just two blocks from some of the best restaurants in town, including The Dez, Crossroads Cafe, Roadrunner Grab + Go and JT Country Kitchen. Images courtesy of Mojave Sands Motel/Heidi Zumbrun.
Campbell House Inn (Twentynine Palms)
Over the last century, the Campbell House Inn transitioned from a private residence to a bed and breakfast, and in 2016, the new owners reimagined the property as a quiet and charming retreat. Set on 25 acres with expansive views of the high desert, the Campbell House Inn has a spacious stone homestead with two suites, plus five guest cottages, a barn with three suites and a masonry cabin. With the exception of the main homestead, all suites have kitchenettes, and all guests have private outdoor patios and access to the pool and hot tub. Images courtesy of Campbell House Inn.
Pioneertown Motel (Pioneertown)
Developed in the 1940s as a hangout for movie stars like Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, Pioneertown gives visitors a unique combination of Hollywood history and modern comforts. The Pioneertown Motel sits at the front end of Mane Street, which replicates an old Western town and has served as a backdrop for hundreds of film and television productions. The property has 19 cozy guest rooms plus a cabin, along with a 24-hour common area, hammocks, tables and an outdoor fire pit. Located just across Mane Street is Pappy and Harriet’s, which doubles as a top-notch barbecue restaurant and concert venue, boasting an impressive list of performers over the years, including A-listers like Paul McCartney and Lizzo. On the same block is the Red Dog Saloon, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the week — and giving visitors a taste of the Wild West.
