Joshua Tree lodging is scarce within the park itself. In fact, there are no hotels within the boundaries of Joshua Tree National Park. Thus, visitors to this desert wonderland who wish to stay at a hotel must look to the surrounding area. For those who are set on staying within the park boundaries, there is one option. Camping is allowed at the nine in-park campgrounds and in the backcountry wilderness areas. Complementing the rather rustic campgrounds that are found inside of Joshua Tree National Park are commercial campgrounds on the outside that can also be a good fit for the camping-minded crowd.

Hotels near Joshua Tree

Perhaps the best place to begin when searching for hotels near Joshua Tree National Park is the Coachella Valley. This valley to the near southwest of the park is essentially one big resort area, with Palm Springs and Indian Wells figuring among its resident communities. The hotels come in all shapes and sizes in the Coachella Valley and can fit a range of budgets. You’ll even find full scale resorts here. If a vacation rental is preferred, there are plenty of those to select from as well. Heading to the north side of Joshua Tree National Park, the city of Twentynine Palms presents another good option for where to stay in the area. Several chain brand hotels figure among the lodging choices in Twentynine Palms, with the Fairfield Inn & Suites, the Holiday Inn Express (pictured) and the Best Western Gardens Hotel serving as top places to consider. For something other than chain brand, try the 29 Palms Inn or the Sunnyvale Garden Suites Hotel. Complementing the hotels in Twentynine Palms are several good motels that can help keep the travel budget in check.

Joshua Tree RV Camping

Joshua Tree National Park visitors who are arriving in recreational vehicles, or RVs, can camp overnight in the park. There are no hookups for RVs at the park’s nine different campgrounds, however, and neither motorhomes or habitable trailers are permitted at the Cottonwood or Sheep Pass group sites. Also worth noting is that motorhomes and trailers, when included with their tow vehicles, cannot exceed a length of 25 feet at the Indian Cove group sites or at the Hidden Valley and White Tank campgrounds. Outside of the Joshua Tree National Park boundaries are numerous places where RV camping is possible. The Coachella Valley in particular boasts a healthy collection of RV resorts with good amenities for RV travelers.

Joshua Tree Camping Jumbo Rocks

Of the nine campgrounds that are found within Joshua Tree National Park, none offers more campsites than Jumbo Rocks. This campground offers no less than 124 sites, to be more exact. This is also the second highest campground in the park, sitting at an elevation of 4,400 feet above sea level. You can find the Jumbo Rocks Campground just 11 miles south of Twentynine Palms, and in case you are wondering about the name, the landscape is characterized by large rocks. There aren’t any group sites at Jumbo Rocks, and as is true at all of the Joshua Tree campgrounds, the campsites are limited to six people, three tents and two cars. A vehicle that is towing a trailer, popup, fifth wheel, or motorhome counts as two vehicles. As for the amenities at the Jumbo Rocks campsites, they include picnic tables and fire grates. Trash containers and rather rudimentary toilets are available.

Joshua Tree Camping Indian Cove

Tucked just inside the Joshua Tree boundaries to the near west of Twentynine Palms is the Indian Cove Campground. Also one of the larger Joshua Tree lodging sites for campers, Indian Cove has 101 campsites, including 13 separate group sites. The sites feature picnic tables and fire grates. Water is available at the Indian Cove Ranger Station, which is a good bonus. You can find the ranger station at the entrance of the Indian Cove area. Much like the Jumbo Rocks Campground, Indian Cove is known for its rock formations. Some campsites are even tucked around the rocks. Other sites offer sufficient space for RVs. A nature trail begins at the west side of the Indian Cove Campground, and there is a picnic area on the far eastern side.

Joshua Tree Belle Campground

If camping is your preference when it comes to Joshua Tree lodging, the Belle Campground is just one more example of the in-park options. One of the smaller campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park, Belle has just 18 sites. Once again, large rocks give the landscape here a relatively unique appeal. They also offer some good bouldering and rock climbing opportunities. The Belle Campground is just nine miles south of Twentynine Palms along Pinto Basin Road. Fire grates, picnic tables, a double restroom, and trash dumps are among the campground amenities. No water is available, so be sure to bring plenty with you.