Joshua Tree Hotels and Lodges: Where to Stay for Your Park Visit
The short answer: Joshua Tree has no hotels or lodges inside the park. All traditional lodging is in the nearby gateway towns. For early access to the rocks and trails, Joshua Tree village on the west side and Twentynine Palms on the northeast side are your two best bases.
Park lodges and gateway towns (6)
- Gateway town Joshua Tree entrance West Entrance · hotels, gas station, restaurants Directions ↗
- Gateway town Twentynine Palms entrance North Entrance · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
- Gateway town Yucca Valley entrance West Entrance · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
- Gateway town Desert Hot Springs entrance West Entrance · hotels, gas station, restaurants Directions ↗
- Gateway town Palm Springs entrance South Entrance - Cottonwood · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
- Gateway town Indio entrance South Entrance - Cottonwood · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO ⚠ Lodge & Gateway town data is undergoing editorial review.
Staying in the Park or Outside It?
Unlike Yosemite or Yellowstone, Joshua Tree has no commercial lodging within its boundaries. There is no lodge, hotel room, or official glamping site. You'll find campgrounds only; the full selection is covered in the Joshua Tree lodging guide, which compares in-park options with the gateway towns.
Hotels Around Joshua Tree: The Gateway Towns
Four main bases surround the park. Your choice depends on which entrance you use, your budget, and your travel style.
Joshua Tree (Village)
About 5 minutes from the West Entrance, Joshua Tree village is the favorite base for independent travelers. Expect an artsy desert atmosphere, galleries that stay open into the evening, coffee shops, and a few places with real character.
The Joshua Tree Inn, a boutique motel that's been open since 1950, has a remarkable history. Musician Gram Parsons stayed there and died there in September 1973. The rooms are simple, but the atmosphere isn't. Vacation rentals are plentiful nearby. They're a good option for groups or families who want their own kitchen and, often, a hot tub beneath the stars.
Services in the village are limited, so stock up on groceries ahead of time or in Yucca Valley.
Twentynine Palms
Twentynine Palms is the closest town to the North Entrance and the Oasis Visitor Center. It has a wider, more affordable range of lodging, including dependable chain motels and a few independent spots.
Our pick for a place with character here is the 29 Palms Inn, a low-key resort with adobe bungalows and an organic garden that's been cultivated since 1928. It's our recommendation for travelers on a tight budget or anyone who wants to explore the park's eastern side, especially Cholla Cactus Garden and Cottonwood Spring.
Yucca Valley
Yucca Valley is the area's commercial hub, with big-box stores, gas stations, and pharmacies. It has plenty of solid chain hotels. The town is about 15 minutes from the West Entrance, a little farther away than Joshua Tree village. It's convenient for a first night when you need to restock, but less suited to travelers looking for a desert atmosphere.
Palm Springs
About 45 minutes southwest via I-10 and the South Entrance, Palm Springs is in a different category, with design-forward hotels, heated pools, and mid-century spas. If Joshua Tree is part of a larger California road trip and you want to combine desert scenery with comfort, it's a strong base. To explore Palm Springs as a destination, find the guides suited to your itinerary from the Joshua Tree main page.
How Many Nights Should You Plan for Joshua Tree?
Two nights is the reasonable minimum for covering the highlights: Skull Rock, Hidden Valley, Keys View, and Cholla Cactus Garden. Three nights gives you time to add a longer hike and explore both sides of the park, the Mojave Desert to the north and the Colorado Desert to the south. The Joshua Tree itinerary guide lays out plans based on how much time you have.
When to Book and What to Expect to Pay
Peak season is spring, from February through April, when the desert is in bloom. Lodging fills up weeks ahead, and prices rise. Fall, from October through November, is nearly as busy, with ideal daytime temperatures around 84 °F. Summer, from June through August, is the slow season. Temperatures in the park regularly top 100 °F, lodging rates drop, and you'll need to plan your visit around the first and last hours of the day.
As a general range, expect to pay $80 to $150 a night for a decent motel in Twentynine Palms or Yucca Valley, $130 to $250 for a boutique hotel in Joshua Tree village, and $200 to $400+ for Palm Springs properties during peak season. The Joshua Tree seasons guide breaks down each period and its budget ranges.
Our Recommendation by Travel Style
Immersion and atmosphere: Joshua Tree village, for its desert-art character and immediate proximity to the West Entrance.
Keeping costs in check: Twentynine Palms, for more accessible rates and direct access to the park's eastern side.
Comfort and amenities: Palm Springs, where you can pair the desert with a proper chance to recharge.
Families or groups: A vacation rental in Joshua Tree village or Twentynine Palms, with a full kitchen and private outdoor space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do visitors to Joshua Tree stay?
Visitors to Joshua Tree stay in the park's gateway towns: Joshua Tree village and Yucca Valley on the west side, Twentynine Palms to the northeast, and Palm Springs for those arriving from the south. There are no hotels inside the park.
Where should you stay to visit Joshua Tree?
For visiting Joshua Tree, Joshua Tree village is the most convenient base on the west side, just 5 minutes from the West Entrance. Twentynine Palms offers the most affordable rates and direct access to the park's northeast side.
Is Joshua Tree worth visiting?
Joshua Tree is worth the trip for its spectacular rock formations, star-filled skies (the park is certified as an IDA Dark Sky Park), and unique desert wildlife. The park is open 24 hours a day, and the entrance fee is $30 per vehicle.
How much does a night near Joshua Tree cost?
Expect to pay $80 to $150 for a motel in Twentynine Palms or Yucca Valley, and $130 to $250 for a boutique hotel in Joshua Tree village. Prices rise during peak season, from February through April and from October through November.