Story and photos by Julie Diebolt Price (unless otherwise indicated)
There is no lodging (except for campsites), no restaurants, nor grocery stores inside Joshua Tree National Park. The surrounding communities provide all of these services, including the sale of firewood for your campfires in the park. Be sure to buy firewood because you cannot collect and burn any park vegetation, whether living or dead.
Inside Joshua Tree National Park
There are 500 campsites inside Joshua Tree National Park. During the springtime and holidays, most campsites are filled during the week, as well as weekends. There is no cell service throughout most of the park.
I have stayed in February, May, August, and November in different campgrounds in the park. The winter months get downright cold at night, especially if the wind blows. Those are the times that it pays to be close to the bathroom. During the summer when the temps get into the triple digits, it is important to have shade and drink lots of water…and be upwind of the latrines.
During the summer, some campgrounds are closed. Starting in September (high season is September to May), some campgrounds are first-come, first-served or available by reservation only. You can make your reservations online up to six months in advance. During the winter months, campgrounds generally fill on the weekends. It’s especially busy in the park between February and May.
Occasionally, campgrounds are closed due to honeybee activity. Always visit the Joshua Tree National Park website before your visit so you know of any closures or restrictions.
Campgrounds and Picnic Areas in Joshua Tree National Park
Eight picnic areas are in Joshua Tree National Park: Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Live Oak, Split Rock, Cap Rock, Hidden Valley, Quail Springs, and Black Rock. All are shown on the park map.
Black Rock Campground
Black Rock Campground
9678 Black Rock Canyon Rd, Yucca Valley, CA
JTNP – Black Rock Campground
Black Rock Campground is probably one of my favorite campgrounds because I can park right under the Joshua trees and it’s the first park entrance heading west on Highway 62. Restrooms with running water and flush toilets are conveniently located throughout the grounds. Cell service and internet connectivity is consistent. There are easy trails and a service road to hike in the surrounding hills. This is my kind of roughing it!
White Tank Campground
White Tank Campground
2 White Tank Campground Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA
JTNP – White Tank Campground
White Tank Campground is located in the northern end of the park and is nestled among gigantic granite boulders. You will find excellent night sky viewing because it’s located near the darkest section of the park.
A path to Arch Rock begins alongside campsite nine in White Tank Campground. An eighth of a mile up the trail, you can easily see the arch. It’s a favorite selfie spot. This path gets a LOT of foot traffic. The best sites to get in this campground are #7, #10, #11, #12 (shaded by rocks for the afternoon sun), #15 (because it is at the end of the campgrounds and offers the best view). The other sites are too close to the latrine and can be distasteful depending on which way the wind is blowing.
Jumbo Rocks Campground
Jumbo Rocks Campground
Park Boulevard, Twentynine Palms, CA
JTNP – Jumbo Rocks Campground
Jumbo Rocks Campground is centrally located and has great views of rock formations. Skull Rock is a very popular destination with a trail from the center of the campgrounds directly to that rock. It’s also within an easy walk to the amphitheater used all year round for ranger programs.
With 124 individual and family sites in Jumbo Rocks Campground, it’s busy all the time. RVs and trailers are allowed here, and Campsite 122 is wheelchair accessible.
Indian Cove Campground
Indian Cove Campground
Indian Cove Campground, Indian Cove Mountain Road, Twentynine Palms, CA
JTNP – Indian Cove Campground
Indian Cove Campground entrance is located just off Highway 62 between Joshua Tree Village and Twentynine Palms. The road ends at the campground which is on the north side of Wonderland of Rocks.
While there are few Joshua trees in this campground, Indian Cove is the spot where the Marines from Camp Pendleton practice their rock climbing and earn merit badges for their expertise. It makes for interesting entertainment if you camp here during their training exercises.
My favorite campsite at Indian Cove is #16, #17, or #18. This is the most remote area of the campground and has much less traffic than all the others. The Wonderland of Rocks offers a spectacular view as the morning sun kisses the top of the rocks. Wonderland of Rocks is a hiking and running trail rated as difficult, and offers some of the best scrambling in the country.
Outside Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree Lake & RV Campground
Joshua Tree Lake & RV Campground
2601 Sunfair Road, Joshua Tree, CA
Joshua Tree Lake & RV Campground serves tent campers and RVs. Just a short drive from two entrances of Joshua Tree National Park, they take the overflow from the park when it is full. It could be a destination in itself, though, because they offer clean bathrooms with showers, beautiful grounds, a lake, and a mini library. Also available for day use, reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
Fishing (no boating or swimming) on the lake is currently open by appointment only and is limited to five groups of four people at one time. This allows for proper social distancing in these times of COVID-19. Fishing, for a fee, is catch and release only with catfish, bluegill, and bass as your reward.
In years past, Joshua Tree Lake & RV Campground was home to the Bhatki Festival and Shakti Fest (yoga, sacred music, and meditation), Bequinox (Burning Man), Babes Ride Out, and Joshua Tree Music Festivals. During COVID-19, these events have gone online.
Miracle Springs Resort & and Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel
Miracle Springs Resort & Spa
10625 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs, CA
Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel
10805 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs, CA
Larger than life, Mike Bickford, owns and operates the spa hotels that are adjacent to each other in Desert Hot Springs. I had the opportunity to speak with Mike at length about how Miracle Springs Resort & Spa got its name and how he acquired the property.
The heirs of Burton Arnds, founder of Sparkletts Water, purchased the Desert Hot Springs Spa in 1970. The heirs built the 50-room hotel around the mineral spring pools. Mike purchased the property in 1979, then sold it to an operator in 1985 who lost it to foreclosure. Bickford bought it back in 1988 and has operated it ever since.
In 1991, the Arnds family sold five acres adjacent to Desert Hot Springs Spa, which was developed by a Korean group into a gaming casino. After two unsuccessful years, the Choung Hung Bank took over the property and tried to operate it themselves. In 1997, Mike Bickford bought the property, renamed it to Miracle Springs Resort & Spa and has successfully operated it since then.
The miraculous water possesses therapeutic, healing properties. The water from Mission Springs Water District in Desert Hot Springs was judged best in the world at the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting competition in February 2020.
Visit the websites to review the COVID-19 policies and cleaning measures.
Miracle Springs Resort & Spa is a great place to take the waters, whether drinking it or soaking in it.
Pioneertown Motel
Pioneertown Motel
5240 Curtis Road, Pioneertown, CA
The historic Pioneertown Motel, open since 1946, offers 19 guest rooms with either king or queen beds and are named after movie stars. Room 1 is The Canteen, which is a 24-hour lounge room for everybody with free coffee, books, and card games. Room 9 was Gene Autry’s favorite room where he played poker until dawn.
The Red Cabin, located on Mane Street, was recently purchased and renovated by Pioneertown Motel. Cozy and rustic, it is a quick walk to Pappy & Harriet’s and a stroll through Pioneertown.
You can enjoy stargazing and quiet nights – they even provide camp chairs and bottled water, but no televisions.
If you want to experience the Old West, Pioneertown Motel is a great place to put your boots up!
Airbnb – Highlands Suite Yurt in Joshua Tree
Airbnb – Highlands Suite Yurt
Entire guesthouse hosted by Steve & Sue
The Highlands, a private community close to the west entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, is home to this yurt guest house hosted by Steve & Sue. The Desert Tortoise Preserve is right across the road.
Steve and Sue are rock climbers and teach the sport in Joshua Tree National Park for Uprising Adventure Guides.
Learn more about the property and their strict cleaning guidelines with the link above.
Conclusion
You don’t have to camp if room service and a swimming pool are more to your liking. With an abundance of chain hotels on 29 Palms Highway through Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, and Twentynine Palms, you are sure to find accommodations to fit your style.
Have you visited Joshua Tree National Park? What is your favorite national park?
