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

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Joshua Tree

There are two main entrances to Joshua Tree National Park. The northern entrance has more famous park attractions and is close to the small towns of Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley. 

The southern entrance is closer to Palm Springs and Palm Desert, but further from the main area of the park. However, Palm Springs and Palm Desert are larger cities with other attractions including golfing, shopping, resorts and spas. 

Each of these locations is close to the national park, and each offers something unique. The 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: The Bungalows by Homestead Modern • Autocamp Joshua Tree • Joshua Tree Green Oasis • The Raven House

Joshua Tree City is the best place to stay if you want to spend the majority of your visit exploring Joshua Tree National Park. The city is only 5 minutes from the west entrance to the park. 

Joshua Tree has a wide variety of restaurants, bars and coffee shops (check out Joshua Tree Coffee Company for my favorite iced latte in the area). The town is also home to Western-themed saloons and funky vintage boutiques, so be sure to explore the town when you’re done exploring the park! 

Joshua Tree City doesn’t have a lot of traditional hotels to choose from. Instead, most accommodation options are gorgeous boutique rentals or unique vacation homes. 

My #1 hotel choice, The Bungalows by Homestead Modern, is in Joshua Tree City. This boutique hotel offers exactly the right mix of a vacation rental and a B&B, with individual homes joined by a shared pool, hot tub, fire pit, and garden. There are even bikes available to rent so guests can easily ride into town. 

The vacation homes in Joshua Tree are top-notch, with pools, hot tubs and expansive desert views. Oftentimes, you’ll even have a Joshua Tree in your backyard! Joshua Tree Green Oasis is one of our top picks, with a swimming pool, sun terrace, great sunset views, and tons of privacy. 

Overall, Joshua Tree City is the perfect place to stay for first-time Joshua Tree visitors. 

Pros of Staying in Joshua Tree City:

• Closest to Joshua Tree National Park’s 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

Cons of Staying in Joshua Tree City:

• Food and drinks are expensive
• Hotels are busy and hard to book, especially on the weekends
• Many vacation homes can be expensive

Twentynine Palms

👉 Best Area For Affordability | ✨ Best Twentynine Palms Hotels: 28 Palms Ranch • Harmony Motel • Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites • Roadrunner’s Roost

Twentynine Palms is very close to the north entrance station of Joshua Tree National Park. It’s also home to some of the best hiking trails to desert oases, like the Fortynine Palms Oasis and the Oasis of Mara. Twentynine Palms has all the location perks that Joshua Tree City has, but without the expensive price tag. 

The city itself has more traditional hotels, motels, chain restaurants and stores. But, it has less of the quaint, vintage, Western feel that Joshua Tree City has — likely because it’s not as touristy. 

Twentynine Palms feels like a city people actually live in. The main strip is home to a lovely farmers market on the weekends and there are less vacation homes. Visit downtown art galleries or catch a performance at Theatre 29, the town’s small community theater.

Visitors who want a budget-friendly hotel room will find it at Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, which has space enough for the whole family without the price tag of a rental home. 

Music history fans should stay at Harmony Motel, one of the best budget hotels in the area — and also where legendary band U2 stayed while recording their Joshua Tree album. 

And visitors who still want that boutique, vacation home vibe will find it at 28 Palms Ranch or Roadrunner’s Roost. 

Pros of Staying in Twentynine Palms:

• Fewer crowds
• More traditional accommodation options 
• More affordable
• Oasis hikes 
• Near Joshua Tree National Park entrance 
• Only 15 minutes from Joshua Tree City 

Cons of Staying in Twentynine Palms:

• Less character 
• Downtown not as cute

Yucca Valley

👉 Best Area For Many Accommodation Options | ✨ Best Yucca Valley Hotels: Field Station Joshua Tree • Spark by Hilton Yucca Valley • Super 8 by Wyndham • Desert Serenity 

Yucca Valley is further away from the park entrance, and therefore typically less crowded. Accommodation prices are a bit more reasonable, and you can always count on vacancies in small Yucca Valley if accommodation in Joshua Tree is sold out. 

Popular things to do in the area include hiking the Black Rock Canyon Trail or grabbing a drink at the famous Pappy and Harriet’s Western Saloon in Pioneertown — only a 10-minute drive away. 

Yucca Valley’s closest park entrance to Joshua Tree National Park is the one in Joshua Tree City, so you’ll get to visit the cute town every time you enter the park. However, it’s much farther from the Twentynine Palms entrance, so plan to leave early if you want to do any hiking in that area. 

Similar to Twentynine Palms, there’s something for every kind of visitor in Yucca Valley. Field Station Joshua Tree is an excellent boutique hotel, while Super 8 by Wyndham is a no-frills motel for a budget-friendly price. And if you still want that vacation home vibe, check out Desert Serenity. 

Pros of Staying in Yucca Valley:

• Beautiful desert landscapes
• Fewer crowds than in Joshua Tree
• Cheaper accommodations
• Still pretty close to Joshua Tree National Park 
• Near Pioneertown

Cons of Staying in Yucca Valley:

• Very spread out, not really a walkable downtown 
• Less shopping available
• Further from both park entrances

Palm Springs

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

Palm Springs is about an hour’s drive from the Joshua Tree National Park entrances. It may not be the best option if you want to spend a ton of time at the park. 

Palm Springs is for you if you’re looking for a vacation that’s more than just hiking trails. 

The city is known for its shopping, entertainment and nightlife. Palm Canyon Drive, the main strip in downtown, is very walkable and is home to museums, bars, clubs and farm-to-table restaurants. Palm Springs is also very LGBTQ-friendly and is home to a lively gay bar scene. 

Palm Springs isn’t all shopping, golfing and eating. There’s also plenty of nature activities close by. One of the best things to do in town is take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up into the mountains for panoramic views across the desert. 

Because of its party vibe, many hotels in Palm Springs are adults-only, like the excellent Dive Palm Springs Hotel. Families with kids might want to choose a spot in Palm Desert instead. 

Pros of Staying in Palm Springs:

• Biggest city close to Joshua Tree 
• Most options for restaurants, bars and accommodation 
• Luxurious hotels and many places to stay
• Good area for sunbathing and poolside lounging
• Top-grade golfing
• Lively nightlife 

Cons of Staying in Palm Springs:

• One hour from Joshua Tree National Park
• Hotel options can be expensive

Palm Desert

👉 Best Area For Luxury | ✨ Best Palm Desert Hotels: Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas I • Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa • Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa

Palm Desert is located just 20 minutes south of Palm Springs. Surrounded by golf courses, spas, tennis courts and wellness centers, Palm Desert is the luxurious heart of the greater Palm Springs area. 

Stay in Palm Desert if you want to visit Joshua Tree National Park on a day trip while remaining closer to entertainment activities, golfing and shopping. 

While here, take photos of the art at El Paseo Shopping Center, explore The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, and check out the McCallum Theater. Many Palm Desert restaurants are in the El Paseo Shopping District, an upscale spot for world-renowned restaurants and shops. 

Visiting in March? You won’t want to miss the annual Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival or the Indian Wells Open, one of the best tennis tournaments in the world. 

There are plenty of luxurious accommodation options in Palm Desert. Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas I is one of the best. This resort has multiple pool areas and 2 golf courses on-site!

Pros of Staying in Palm Desert:

• Many restaurants and shopping opportunities are available
• One of the best areas for golfing in the world 
• Theater entertainment
• Annual festivals and community events
• Luxurious accommodation 

Cons of Staying in Palm Desert:

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

Tips for Staying in Joshua Tree

Consider the Weather

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

You definitely don’t want to hike in this weather and there is a high risk of heat stroke if you do. For the best desert experience, see our full guide to when to visit Joshua Tree and plan your trip during the other three seasons.

Get to Joshua Tree National Park Early

Popular national parks get crowded during the day. This is especially so for Joshua Tree, which is a very popular day trip from LA. For less crowded trails and attractions, get to the park early!

Avoid the National Park on the Weekend

Joshua Tree fills up on the weekends. Visit from Monday through Friday to avoid the crowds if you can.

Don’t Miss Pioneertown

Pioneertown is just outside of Joshua Tree, but it’s considered one of the top Joshua Tree attractions… for good reason! It’s 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. And it attracts some surprisingly big-name performers, including Paul McCartney and Robert Plant!

Shop for Souvenirs at Coyote Corner

Coyote Corner is situated on Park Blvd on the way to the Joshua Tree National Park entrance. It’s 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

Though I went through the indoor accommodation options in this article, you can also reserve a campground inside of the national park if you want a more outdoorsy experience. Ryan Campground, Indian Cove Campground, and Jumbo Rocks Campground are some of my favorite options! 

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

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 the 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 want to hike. 

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.

See someone else leaving trash behind or breaking the rules? Check out Abigail’s piece on Why You Should Help Enforce Rules At The National Parks for the wildlife and those around you.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Joshua Tree

Where should we stay in Joshua Tree?

When deciding where to stay in Joshua Tree, you should consider Joshua Tree City, Yucca Valley, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and Twentynine Palms.

Which part of Joshua Tree is best?

All of Joshua Tree National Park is fantastic, but the north area of the park has more of the famous attractions. Enter through the North or West visitor entrances to access popular sights like Arch Rock, Ryan Mountain, Barker Dam, or Keys View. 

The closest cities to the North and West visitor entrances are Joshua Tree City, Yucca Valley, and Twentynine Palms.

Is it worth staying in Joshua Tree?

It is worth staying in Joshua Tree. There are many bars and restaurants in Joshua Tree City. There are also many hiking trails and natural hot springs around the area.

Can you stay in Palm Springs and visit Joshua Tree?

Palm Springs is only 45-50 minutes away from Joshua Tree so you can stay there and still visit Joshua Tree National Park. When deciding where to stay in Joshua Tree, many people choose to stay in this Coachella Valley town for its luxurious hotels, shopping, and golfing.

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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!