Where to Stay When Visiting Joshua Tree

Located right between the Colorado and Mojave deserts, Joshua Tree National Park is a dreamland when it comes to striking desert scenery and one of the most unique places to visit in California as well as best day trips from LA.

If you’re currently planning a trip to the heart of the California desert and wondering where to stay when visiting Joshua Tree, keep reading.

From some of the most unique glamping spots to experiences that will transport you into the Sahara, here’s a detailed list of the best places to stay when visiting Joshua Tree that will guarantee a perfect night in the desert.

Best Areas to Stay in Joshua Tree National Park

While there aren’t many accommodation options inside Joshua Tree other than camping, most visitors to Joshua Tree stay in the nearby towns of Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms as well as surrounding areas.

The town of Joshua Tree is set close to the West Entrance of the park, while Twentynine Palms is closer to the North Entrance.

There’s a third entrance to the park to the south as well, but it’s a pretty long drive to the park from here, so it’s best to pick accommodation options in Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms when looking for where to stay when visiting Joshua Tree in order to avoid having to drive more than necessary.

Where to Stay When Visiting Joshua Tree

The Castle House Estate

Spread over an area of 12 acres in the desert, Castle House Estate is one of the coolest glamping spots not just in Joshua Tree, but in the entire world.

This incredible medieval-style location features yurt-style tents, all designed with luxury in mind. Thing plush floor pillows, private fireplaces, and homemade snacks brought to your room at any hour of the day.

If you want to have a night in Joshua Tree that feels like camping but without having to sacrifice comfort at all, the Castle House is one of the best places to stay in Joshua Tree National Park for you! Check rates and availability here.

Joshua Tree Remote Airstream Swing Bed Stargazing

If you want that quintessential Joshua Tree experience, look no further than staying inside this incredibly unique accommodation. The room is a renovated Airstream in the middle of the desert, with the added bonus of an outdoor swing bed you can watch the stars and an outdoor tub.

Due to the unique experience this spot provides, it gets booked out pretty quickly, so make sure you book as far in advance as possible.

Joshua Tree National Park Activities to Compliment Your Stay!

Casa Agave

If you’re looking to share the experience with your friends or a group, this cozy cottage in the middle of the desert is a wonderful place to stay in Joshua Tree.

Boasting idyllic mountain views, this holiday home features two bedrooms, a sofa bed, a kitchen with everything you could need during your stay, and plenty more. The property also provides breakfast. The decor of this home is stunning, with plenty of earthy tones contrasted by bright reds everywhere you look – you may just confuse your location for somewhere in the Sahara desert! CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE.

Sacred Sands

Offering luxury rooms with private patios that come with alfresco bathtubs, this stylish accommodation option is perfect for those who want to adventure in Joshua Tree National Park and come back to feel like home and be able to relax while still being able to take in the views of the desert!

This is one of the best places to stay for couples visiting Joshua Tree on a romantic getaway. Each room is fitted with air conditioning and a safety deposit box. CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE.

Desierto Occidental

If you’re a design buff and want to stay somewhere completely unexpected, Desierto Occidental is a wonderful choice when deciding where to stay when visiting Joshua Tree.

With an interior that may make you feel as though you were transported into Morocco, this property provides a perfect mix of striking colors surrounded by the desert’s earty tones. You’ll find yourself gawking at every detail as you walk inside this insanely gorgeous hotel, with the main element of it being a small outdoor pool at the edge of a cliff where you can catch insanely beautiful views of the scenery and wildlife around! CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE.

Where to Stay When Visiting Joshua Tree on a Budget

While there aren’t many places to stay when visiting Joshua Tree on a budget besides camping, there are a few accommodation options available in case you don’t want to break the bank. Here are two of my top picks:

Joshua Tree Inn

Opened back in the 1950s, Joshua Tree Inn is a rustic-type inn that’s located a short drive away from the park’s entrance. Although simple, this classic motel-style hotel provides all the comfort you could need, ranging from cozy beds to Spanish Colonial architecture, private patios, heating, AC, and more.

Aside from getting a great bang for your buck (this is one of the best places to stay when visiting Joshua Tree on a budget), this unique hotel also has plenty of history backing it up. If you’re a fan of Rock, try to book room No. 8 – this is where musician Gram Parsons passed away in 1973 and his spirit is still said to roam about the hotel!

Casa de Frank

Set a 5-minute walk away from the entrance of Joshua Tree, Casa de Frank is a lovely homestay that provides everything you could possibly need for a wonderful stay in Joshua Tree.

Each unit comes with free wifi, barbeque facilities, private parking, coffee machine, a small kitchen, and even a hot tub for you to relax in after a day spent hiking. Moreover, thanks to its great location, hiking around the area is possible as well! CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE.

Camping in Joshua Tree National Park

If your heart is set on staying within Joshua Tree National Park’s boundaries, the only option you will have is to camp as there is no lodging available. My only advice is to plan as far in advance as possible and make reservations for camping as soon as you have set dates as they do fill up quickly.

Campgrounds inside Joshua Tree National Park that work on a reservation basis:

• Black Rock: $25 per night. This campsite has water, flush toilets, fire grates, tables, and a dump station.
• Cottonwood: $25 per night. Water, flush toilets, tables, fire grates, and a dump station are available.
• Indian Cove: $25 per night. Pit toilets, tables, and fire grates. There is no water available.
• Jumbo Rocks: $20 per night. Pit toilets, tables, and fire grates. There is no water available.
• Ryan: $20 per night. Pit toilets, tables, and fire grates. There is no water available.

Campgrounds inside Joshua Tree National Park that work on a first-come-first-served-basis. Keep in mind these fill up quickly, especially during the busy season that runs from November to May. Get here as early as possible to snag a spot.

• Belle: $15 per night. Pit toilets, tables, and fire grates. No water.
• Hidden Valley: $15 per night. Pit toilets, tables, and fire grates. No water.
• White Tank: $15 per night. Pit toilets, tables, and fire grates. No water.

Where to Stay When Visiting Joshua Tree for Astrophotography

Many people visit Joshua Tree for the chance to photograph the park’s night skies. If that’s you, you won’t really have to worry much if you don’t manage to grab a camping spot inside the park.

Joshua Tree is open 24/7, so if you have a place to stay in either Twentynine Palms or the town of Joshua Tree, you’ll be able to enter the park after dark to catch some amazing photos! Moreover, most of the places to stay in Joshua Tree listed here are actually located in landscapes that feel pretty much like being inside the park anyway, so you’ll likely be able to capture images just like the ones shot inside the park.