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

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Joshua Tree 

Joshua Tree is a relatively small city with a population of only 7,400 and most visitors travel here to visit the famous Joshua Tree National Park.

There are 5 main areas and cities to stay in that are close to the park: Joshua Tree City, Twentynine Palms, Yucca Valley, Palm Springs, and Palm Desert. 

Each of these locations is close to the national park and other nearby attractions. 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: Desert Lily • Doors of Perception • Joshua Tree Homestead

Joshua Tree City is the best place to stay if you want to spend the majority of your visit exploring Joshua Tree National Park. It’s only a short drive from the city to the park for a full day of desert fun.

Here, you’ll find the popular Joshua Tree National Park west entrance and Joshua Tree Visitor Center. Joshua Tree also has a wide variety of restaurants like JT Country Kitchen, hip cafes, and funky vintage boutiques to occupy your time outside of the national park.

Overall, Joshua Tree City 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, but I recommend staying in a charming rental home like this Joshua Tree Homestead for more privacy. Bonus – it’s a super aesthetically pleasing accommodation. 

Pros of Staying in Joshua Tree City:

• Close 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
• Bars are crowded

Twentynine Palms

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

Looking for where to stay in Joshua Tree for relaxation? 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, making this a good area for couples. Visit quaint downtown art galleries or catch a performance at Theatre 29, the town’s small community theater.

To make the most of your stay in Twentynine Palms, I recommend booking a place with a hot tub (or an on-site hot spring). The Great Vibe House is a good option that’s also just minutes from the national park.

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

Cons of Staying in Twentynine Palms:

• 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

Yucca Valley is known as the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park. This small town welcomes visitors with its various attractions, activities, and restaurants.

Yucca Valley is popular because it’s away from the park crowds and accommodation prices are a bit more reasonable. You can always count on vacancies in small Yucca Valley if hotels in Joshua Tree are sold out. Rockpool Ridge is my pick for a rental, especially since you can lounge at its pool while soaking in epic views of the desert.

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. 

Yucca Valley 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 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 Pioneertown

Cons of Staying in Yucca Valley:

• 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

Many people searching for where to stay in Joshua Tree end up choosing Palm Springs because of its many attractions and booming nightlife. This Coachella Valley city has been a popular escape from Los Angeles for celebrities since the early 1900s.

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. The city is also known for shopping and has plenty of boutique hotels

Choose Palm Springs if you want to stay in a luxury hotel like the pristine and romantic Alcazar Palm Springs (and check out this more in-depth guide to places to stay in Palm Springs for even more options).

Keep in mind that 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.

Pros of Staying in Palm Springs:

• 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
• One hour from Joshua Tree National Park
• 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

Palm Desert is located in the greater Palm Springs area and 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, and check out the McCallum Theater. Many Palm Desert restaurants are in the El Paseo Shopping District where you can find vegan cuisine and other international dishes.

Visiting in March? You won’t want to miss the annual Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival or Fashion Week El Paseo.

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

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

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. 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. For less crowded trails and attractions, get to the park early to 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

Pioneertown is just outside of Joshua Tree and 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. Some big-name performers at the venue include 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 and Indian Cove Campground are popular tent camping 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 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 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

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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!