Where to Eat in Joshua Tree: Restaurants in and Around the Park
Joshua Tree National Park has no restaurants within its boundaries. The short answer is to pack your lunch before you enter, stock up in the town of Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms depending on which entrance you're using, and plan on dinner in town. Three places are enough for a short stay: Joshua Tree Saloon for an easygoing Western lunch, 29 Palms Inn for a quiet dinner on the north side, and Pappy & Harriet's in Pioneertown for a BBQ-and-live-music night you won't find just anywhere.
In the Park: Picnics and General Stores
The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, but its visitor centers only offer packaged snacks and drinks. There’s no cafeteria and no kitchen on site.
Here’s what you’ll find inside the park:
- A selection of energy bars, chips, and drinks at the Cottonwood Visitor Center and the Oasis Visitor Center.
- Twelve picnic areas throughout the park. Hidden Valley, Jumbo Rocks, and Cottonwood Spring are among the most pleasant, often surrounded by granite boulders and wind-shaped junipers.
Our recommendation is to prepare your meals in the morning before you enter. The desert leaves little room for logistical surprises. Bring at least 2 liters of water per person per day, and more once temperatures rise above 86°F. That happens regularly from June through August, when temperatures can approach 104°F.
Groceries and Supplies Before You Enter the Park
If you're camping or staying in a rental with a kitchen, Yucca Valley is the most convenient stop along CA-62 for groceries. Its supermarkets are well stocked. The town of Joshua Tree also has a few neighborhood grocery stores, which are perfect for filling out a picnic without going out of your way.
Where to Eat Nearby: The Gateway Towns
Town of Joshua Tree
A few minutes from the West Entrance, the town has most of the area's best places to eat. This is where the local food scene is liveliest, especially during the busy season from March through May.
Joshua Tree Saloon. Burgers, nachos, craft beer, and weekend concerts in a polished Western setting. The place doesn't take itself too seriously, which is exactly what makes it so appealing. Open daily from 11 a.m.; the kitchen serves until 10 p.m. and until midnight on weekends.
Country Kitchen. A classic diner with breakfast served all day. Generous portions, reasonable prices, and unfussy service. Ideal before a full day of hiking.
Sky High Pie. Generous, fast pizzas that work well for a break between bouldering sessions.
La Copine. The area's most ambitious restaurant. California cooking with French influences, built around a short, carefully considered menu. Reservations are essential during the busy season. Expect to pay $35 to $50 per person.
Twentynine Palms
Near the park's North Entrance, Twentynine Palms offers a quieter scene with a few distinctive restaurants.
29 Palms Inn. The restaurant at this historic hotel serves seasonal food in an adobe setting surrounded by date palms. People come as much for the atmosphere as for the food. If you'd like to stay there, our Where to Stay guide has the details.
Crossroads Cafe. A local favorite. Hearty breakfasts and a simple daily menu make it a good place to get a feel for everyday life in the area outside the tourist season.
Yucca Valley
More commercial than its neighbors, Yucca Valley sits along CA-62 before you reach the town of Joshua Tree. It mostly offers chain restaurants and a few no-frills spots. It's convenient when you need to eat quickly or shop for groceries.
Tiny Pony. A polished café and brunch spot with good coffee and house-made pastries. Perfect for an early start before heading to the park.
Pioneertown (6 miles from Yucca Valley)
About 6 miles north of Yucca Valley, this 1940s movie-set town is home to one truly distinctive place.
Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace. Smoky BBQ, a roadhouse atmosphere, and live music almost every night. It's the region's most iconic spot, and touring musicians have been stopping here for decades. Reserve a table if you're coming on a Friday or Saturday night during the busy season.
Our Picks for Every Occasion
For a quick bite. Country Kitchen in Joshua Tree or Crossroads Cafe in Twentynine Palms, depending on which entrance you're using.
For families. Joshua Tree Saloon has a varied menu, a relaxed atmosphere, and enough room for kids to feel comfortable.
For the atmosphere. Pappy & Harriet's in Pioneertown. A BBQ-and-live-music night in this Old West setting is worth the detour if you're staying for two nights.
For a distinctive meal. 29 Palms Inn, for its palm-shaded patio and local history dating back to the 1920s.
The Joshua Tree Specialty to Try: the Date Shake
The Coachella Valley, an hour's drive south, is one of the world's largest date-producing regions, with several dozen varieties including the Medjool. The date shake is the region's signature specialty. Several cafés in the town of Joshua Tree serve them. The texture is creamy, the sweetness comes naturally from the dates, and the energy boost is real. It's a good option before a demanding hike. Some local grocery stores also sell fresh dates to take along for a picnic.
Practical Tips: Hours, Reservations, Budget, and Season
Hours. Most restaurants in the town of Joshua Tree close between 9 and 10 p.m. on weeknights. Some stay open until midnight on weekends. During the off-season from June through August and December through January, check hours before you go. Several businesses shorten their hours or close one or two days a week when business is slow.
Reservations. Essential for La Copine and Pappy & Harriet's on weekends and during the busy season. At the other places, walking in usually works fine.
Budget. Plan on $15 to $25 per person for a full meal at the area's everyday spots, including the Saloon, Country Kitchen, and Crossroads. La Copine is in a different price range, at $35 to $50. For overall trip expenses, see the National Parks Fees & Passes page.
Season. Spring, from March through May, and fall, from September through November, are the best times to find every restaurant open at once. Our When to Visit guide covers conditions month by month.
In Brief: Where to Eat Based on Your Park Entrance
| Entrance | Nearby town | Places to remember |
|---|---|---|
| West Entrance | Town of Joshua Tree | Saloon, Country Kitchen, La Copine, Sky High Pie |
| North Entrance | Twentynine Palms | 29 Palms Inn, Crossroads Cafe |
| South Entrance | Cottonwood (snacks only) | Pack a picnic ahead of time |
| Recommended detour | Pioneertown | Pappy & Harriet's |
To plan your entire stay, our complete Joshua Tree guide covers getting there, lodging, and all the park's practical information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I eat in Joshua Tree National Park?
Joshua Tree National Park has no restaurants within its boundaries. For a hot meal, head to the gateway towns: the town of Joshua Tree at the West Entrance, Twentynine Palms at the North Entrance, or Yucca Valley along CA-62. Inside the park, the visitor centers only have packaged snacks.
Is there a cafeteria or restaurant in Joshua Tree National Park?
No. The visitor centers only offer packaged snacks and bottled drinks. There’s no cafeteria or kitchen open to the public anywhere inside the park.
What local specialty should I try around Joshua Tree?
The regional specialty is the date shake, a milkshake made with dates grown in the nearby Coachella Valley. Several cafés in the town of Joshua Tree serve them, and it's a quintessential taste of this part of California.
Do I need reservations to eat around Joshua Tree?
Reservations are essential for La Copine and Pappy & Harriet's during the busy season from March through May and on weekends. The other places, including the Saloon, Country Kitchen, and 29 Palms Inn, generally accept walk-ins on weeknights.
How much should I budget for a meal around Joshua Tree?
A full meal at the area's everyday restaurants costs $15 to $25 per person. La Copine runs $35 to $50. For overall trip expenses, including entrance fees, lodging, and meals, see our Practical Information page.