Where to Stay in Joshua Tree (Best Areas & Places in 2023)

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Joshua Tree 

Joshua Tree is a relatively small city with a population of only 7,400, but most visitors travel to Joshua Tree to visit the famous Joshua Tree National Park. There are 5 main neighborhoods to stay in close to the park: Joshua Tree City, 29 Palms, Yucca Valley, Palm Springs, and Palm Desert. 

All are great locations that are close to the national park and other main attractions. Which one you choose depends on which is most convenient and suits your needs.

Joshua Tree City

👉 Best Area to Visit the National Park | ✨ Best Joshua Tree Hotels: Desert Lily • Doors of Perception • Joshua Tree Homestead

Joshua Tree City is the best place to stay if you want to visit Joshua Tree National Park. From the city, it’s only a short drive into the park for a full day of desert fun. Joshua Tree has a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and funky vintage boutiques to occupy your time outside of the national park.

Here, you’ll find the popular Joshua Tree National Park west entrance and Joshua Tree visitor center. It is the perfect place to stay for first-time Joshua Tree visitors and will give you a full taste of all the area has to offer.

There are many local hotels and motels available like the Joshua Tree Inn and the Joshua Tree Hotel. I recommend staying in a charming rental home for more privacy and a more aesthetically pleasing accommodation. 

Pros of Staying in Joshua Tree City:

• Close to Joshua Tree National Park west entrance 
• Plenty of restaurant options
• Visitor center information available for first-time visitors
• The best souvenir shopping in the area
• A lot of accommodation options are available
• Desert hot springs

Cons of Staying in Joshua Tree City:

• Food and drinks are expensive
• Hotels are busy and hard to book, especially on the weekends
• Bars are crowded

Twentynine Palms

👉 Best Area For Desert Hot Springs | ✨ Best Twentynine Palms Hotels: Ocotillo Oasis • The Chaparral Oasis • Great Vibe House

If you’re looking for where to stay in Joshua Tree to relax, then look no further than Twentynine Palms. Twentynine Palms is the best place for soaking in Joshua Tree’s natural hot springs and is away from national park crowds. It is also only a short drive away from the national park’s Twentynine Palms entrance.

Twentynine Palms offers an intimate desert experience in the remote Joshua Tree area. Visit the quaint downtown art galleries or explore the nature museum in this desert town. To make the most out of your stay in Joshua Tree, I recommend booking accommodation in Twentynine Palms with a hot tub (or on-site hot spring) and a fire pit. 

Pros of Staying in Twentynine Palms:

• Fewer crowds
• Plenty of accommodation options
• Hot springs and hot tubs are more readily available
• Quiet downtown shopping area
• Near Joshua Tree town
• A short drive from Joshua Tree National Park entrance 

Cons of Staying in Twentynine Palms:

• Farther from the Joshua Tree National Park entrance
• Farther from vintage stores 
• Fewer places to grab a drink 

Yucca Valley

👉 Best Area For Many Accommodation Options | ✨ Best Yucca Valley Hotels: Into the Quiet • Rockpool Ridge • Shelter From the Warm

Known as the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park, Yucca Valley is a small town that welcomes visitors with its various attractions, activities, and restaurants. If hotels in Joshua Tree are sold out, you can always count on vacancies in the small Yucca Valley town.

The Valley is only 2 hours from Hollywood and can make for a great day trip from LA if you’re short on time. Popular Yucca Valley things to do include hiking the Black Rock Canyon Trail or grabbing a drink at the famous Pappy and Harriet’s Western Saloon in Pioneertown. 

Yucca Valley is popular because it’s away from the park crowds and hotel prices can be more reasonable. It also has amazing mountain views and air-conditioned stores to escape the desert heat. It’s only a 5-10 minute drive to the Joshua Tree Park Boulevard entrance from town as well.

Pros of Staying in Yucca Valley:

• Beautiful desert landscapes
• Fewer crowds than in Joshua Tree
• Cheaper accommodations
• Hiking trails available
• Close to Joshua Tree National Park 
• Near Joshua Tree village’s restaurants and bars
• Many restaurants to choose from
• Close to some Los Angeles neighborhoods

Cons of Staying in Yucca Valley:

• Outside of Joshua Tree attractions
• Less shopping available
• Not many bars in the area

Palm Springs

👉 Best Area For Golfing and Shopping | ✨ Best Palm Springs Hotels: Dive Palm Springs • Alcazar Palm Springs • Old Ranch Inn

Most people who inquire about where to stay in Joshua Tree end up choosing Palm Springs for its many attractions and booming nightlife. This Coachella Valley city has been an escape from Los Angeles for celebrities since the early 1900s and is full of luxurious things to do.

About an hour’s drive from the Joshua Tree National Park entrances, the city is known for shopping and boutique hotels (many of which have a private patio, fire pit, and hot tub). Most hotels are luxury and over $100 per night, but you can find budget options as well.

Golfing at world-famous courses is the most popular Palm Springs activity. There are many courses with gorgeous views of the San Jacinto Mountains in the background. Depending on when you visit California, make sure to plan for the weather – the temperature quickly reaches above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. 

For more, see our full guide to where to stay in Palm Springs.

Pros of Staying in Palm Springs:

• One hour from Joshua Tree National Park
• Near Joshua Tree town for bars and shopping
• Luxurious hotels
• Good area for sunbathing and poolside lounging
• Top-grade golfing
• Many bar options are available

Cons of Staying in Palm Springs:

• Very hot summertime temperatures
• Hotel options can be expensive

Palm Desert

👉 Best Area For Shopping and Entertainment | ✨ Best Palm Desert Hotels: Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas I • Full Moon Rising • Your Wildest Dreams

Located in the greater Palm Springs area, Palm Desert is one of the main shopping and entertainment centers near Joshua Tree. 

While here, take photos of the art at El Paseo Shopping Center, explore The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, check out the McCallum Theater, head to award-winning golf courses, and traverse hiking trails.

From here, you can visit Joshua Tree National Park on a day trip while staying closer to entertainment activities and shopping.

Many Palm Desert restaurants are also in the El Paseo shopping district. You can find vegan cuisine and other international dishes. You won’t want to miss the annual Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival or the Fashion Week El Paseo, which are both held every March.

Pros of Staying in Palm Desert:

• Many restaurants and shopping opportunities are available
• Theater entertainment
• Plenty of golf courses
• Annual festivals and community events

Cons of Staying in Palm Desert:

• Far from Joshua Tree National Park
• Can be busy on the weekends
• Restaurants are expensive
• Parking is limited
• Stores are expensive

Tips for Staying in Joshua Tree

Consider the Weather

The weather in Joshua Tree National Park is no joke. In fact, it can get up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months. 

Due to this, it’s not advisable to hike in this weather and there is a high risk of heat stroke at this time. For the best desert experience, plan your trip during the other three seasons. See our full guide to when to visit Joshua Tree for more.

Get to Joshua Tree National Park Early

Popular national parks get crowded during the day. For less crowded trails and attractions, get to the park early to better enjoy your stay in Joshua Tree National Park. You may not be able to find parking or picnic tables at attractions if you get there too late. 

Avoid the National Park on the Weekend

Sure, it can be a hard thing to do if you’re taking a weekend trip from San Diego or another city, but Joshua Tree fills up on the weekends. If you can, visit from Monday through Friday to avoid the crowds.

Don’t Miss Pioneertown

Just outside of Joshua tree, Pioneertown is an old revived ghost town with two bars and hundreds of Joshua Trees. The ghost town has a western film museum, a small petting zoo, a leather store, and other vintage stores. 

The bar Pappy and Harriet’s is a popular destination for bikers and music lovers. Some big-name performers at the venue include Paul McCartney and Robert Plant.  

Shop for Souvenirs at Coyote Corner

Situated on Park Blvd on the way to the Joshua Tree National Park entrance, Coyote Corner is a one-stop shop for souvenirs. You can also find locally made soaps and essential oils, drinks and snacks, and beautiful jewelry at Coyote Corner. 

Don’t Forget the Campgrounds

There are hundreds of places to stay both in Joshua Tree and the surrounding desert city areas. 

Though I went through the indoor accommodation options in this article, if you want a more outdoorsy experience, you can also reserve a campground inside of the national park. Ryan Campground and Indian Cove Campground are popular tent camping options.

There are also three first-come, first-serve campgrounds inside the park, Hidden Valley, Belle, and White Tank campgrounds. You do not need a reservation for these sites but you must get there early to secure a spot.

🏕️ Read Next: 15 Best Places to Go Camping Near San Diego

Hike Early to View Wildlife

Most wildlife sightings happen during either dusk or dawn when the park is quiet and little critters are stirring for prey to hunt. Get up early if you want to see coyotes, jackrabbits, or bobcats during your stay in Joshua Tree.

Speaking of hiking, be sure to check out Ryan Mountain — it’s one of our top hikes in California!

Plan For Your Pet

Pets are allowed inside of the park but with restricted access. They are not allowed on the trails and must be on a leash at all times. This can be tricky when planning your trip to the park if you were planning on hiking. 

Leave No Trace Inside Joshua Tree National Park

Keep nature wild. It ruins the experiences of others when there is trash around the park. Do your best to pack out all of your trash and help the national park service by picking up any litter that you see in the park.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Joshua Tree

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Thanks for reading my guide to where to stay in Joshua Tree! I hope this helped you find the perfect accommodation for your trip. Before you go, check out our guide to the 9 national parks in California. Happy exploring!