Cool Places to Stay Near Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park and the desert area surrounding it has long been popular with artists, writers, recluses and dreamers.

Planning a visit to this beautiful part of California? There are some amazing lodgings near Joshua Tree.

Some of them are listed on Airbnb, others on Hipcamp. Be sure to sign up through this link for Airbnb to save up to $38 off your first trip and get $20 credit with Hipcamp by signing up here if you are not already a member.

Best Places to Stay Near Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree House

The folks behind the Joshua Tree House started with one and now have three places available for rent. Check out the Joshua Tree Casita and the Joshua Tree Hacienda in addition to the largest Joshua Tree House. All three homes are gorgeously decorated with cozy furnishings in neutral shades and original artworks. All three properties also have hot tubs, perfect for stargazing on those cool desert nights. I think the Casita and Hacienda are the most beautiful, but you can decide for yourself.

Sara and Rich have perfected the art of marketing through Instagram and have a beautiful feed that will make you want to run to the desert as soon as possible to stay in their lovely homes. They are definitely some of the best places to stay in Joshua Tree.

Find all three houses at this link. Be sure to sign up through this link for Airbnb to save $35 off your first trip.

Pioneertown Motel

Experience minimalist cowboy chic at this wonderful property that looks straight out of the wild west from the outside but has modern amenities inside. It’s one of Joshua Tree’s most popular boutique hotels and it’s next door to famous Pappy & Harriets bar and restaurant. Check here for rates and availability at Pioneertown.

And for a limited time, if you register at Booking.com using this link and then reserve using the link above you can get $20 cash back! It’s a special offer from Booking.com.

Big Blue

Big Blue is a large vintage Vagabond trailer, complete with living room/kitchen, bedrooms with a view and a full bathroom with stained glass shower. It’s just a stone’s throw from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park.

Hosts Alison and Jay live on the property and run a business called Wonder Valley. They have other amazing properties available for lodging including The Silver Cabin, The Pool House and The Artist House of Wonder Valley. Big Blue is definitely a cool place to stay in Joshua Tree.

itHouse Joshua Tree

Want to get off the grid in style? Check out the itHouse, a prefabricated home designed by Taalman and Koch. Surrounded by glass walls which look out on amazing views, the house is completely off the grid, and runs entirely on solar power. It’s a different place to consider when you are trying to decide where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park. You can rent it through Airbnb.

Ting’s House

An amazing modern house just a few minutes from the park, this place will appeal to those who appreciate design. The exterior is typical desert mid-century modern built from cinderblocks while the interior may remind you of a museum. Amazing art covers the walls and statues and trinkets are on many surfaces, yet the space is airy, open and inviting. This house is furnished with everything you may need. It’s one of the chicest if not the best lodgings near Joshua Tree National Park.

You can book Ting’s House here. Be sure to sign up through this link for Airbnb to save $35 off your first trip.

CHECK OUT THESE COOL JOSHUA TREE TEES, TOTES & STICKERS FROM INDIE ARTISTS

Joshua Tree Folly

Want to get off-grid? Check out the Folly. This unique solar powered property has two buildings connected by a wooden deck. It has one bedroom and a sofabed that sleeps two. You can also choose to sleep upstairs in the stargazer suite loft. The house is clad in oxidized metal sheets and is minimalistic and modern inside. So cool. Not to mention it is designed by super babe architect Malek Alqadi.

You can rent the Folly via Airbnb. If you are not already a member, be sure to sign up through this link for Airbnb to save $35.

JT Villager

Rent this bright house in Joshua Tree village with your family or friends and enjoy a quiet hideaway where you definitely won’t be bored. The house has a bocce court, hot tub, record player and vinyl, a piano, fire pit, outdoor bath, and lots of light inside for a cheerful stay. As it is in the village it is one of the best places to stay in Joshua Tree if you’d like to explore the town as well as the park. The house can be found on Airbnb.

Casa Joshua Tree

Owner Lindsay is an artist, and that can clearly be seen in her bright, clean home that is for rent on Airbnb. The house is decorated in neutral tones of pink, dusty brown, terracotta, red and gold for a relaxing mood in the clear desert air. Located just 10 minutes from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, Casa Joshua Tree makes the perfect weekend getaway.

The Desert Pensione

If you are looking for something less expensive and more rustic, check out Pensione and Koti 2 campsites. You’ll find solar powered chargers, toilets, firepits and even structures to sleep in to get out of the wind. Don’t forget to bring your own camping mattress and bedding.

Get $20 credit with Hipcamp by signing up here!

Camp Temenōs

Head out for a stay at magical Camp Temenos near Pioneer Town. Lodging options include a shiny Spartan trailer available on Airbnb or teepees you can rent on Hipcamp. The Spartan has a beautiful wood interior and is complete with bedroom, bathroom and living room. There is also a larger outhouse nearby with a toilet and shower. The teepees are also fabulous with comfy beds and sofas, as well as a lovely outdoor kitchen.

Get discounts for Airbnb and Hipcamp by signing up using these links if you are not already a member.

A-Z Wagon Station Encampment

A totally unique experience, stay in one of ten “A-Z Wagon Stations” which are small sleeping pods scattered among the rocks on the property of artist Andrea Zittel who lives and works nearby.

The property has a communal outdoor kitchen, open air showers, and composting toilets. It is available for a day, week or weekend twice a year during spring and autumn. A super special place for artists and creatives.

Find out more here.

More Cool Hotels in Joshua Tree

• Mojave Sands Motel : This tiny motel has only five rooms and was built in the 1950s. It has been called “an Eco-chic Moroccan Desert Refuge, celebrating modern-minimalism”. That might be a mouthful but it is one of the coolest places to stay in Joshua Tree. One of the rooms has a full kitchen and there are shared communal spaces on the property.

• Safari Motor Inn is located in the heart of Joshua Tree town just next to The Station and Saloon. It is about 10 minute drive to the park’s West Entrance. The rooms are basic but they are also inexpensive, and every room has a mini fridge and microwave. Check rates here.

• Spin and Margie’s Desert Hideaway : The rooms are all unique at this special property. There is a communal BBQ but each suite also has a kitchen. Book Spin & Margie’s here.

• Joshua Tree Inn: Situated on Highway 62 just minutes from the park, this motel even has a swimming pool!

The area around Palm Springs has lots of lodging options and is just a short drive from Joshua Tree National Park. Here are our picks for the best fun hotels in Palm Springs and romantic getaways for couples.

Compare prices and options across booking engines with Hotels Combined.

If none of these places appeal to you, why not rent your own camper van or RV and find a cozy spot? Check out Outdoorsy for peer-to-peer rentals of RV, vans and trailers. And read on for information about campgrounds in and around Joshua Tree.

Joshua Tree National Park Campgrounds

There are several campgrounds within the National Park, but be forewarned, they often fill up especially on weekends. During the high season you can reserve spots in advance. Check out this guide to Joshua Tree for more information on the campgrounds.

If campgrounds within the park are full, check out Hipcamp for other options outside the park.

And you can also camp for free outside of the park on BLM lands. You get there via dirt roads, so you might need a 4×4 to access them. Dispersed camping in these areas is free but there are no restrooms, no water, and no trash collection. You have to bring what you need and pack out all your waste. Check out these websites for photos and reviews of lots of nearby campsites.

Reviews and photos of the campsites can be found on the awesome website Campendium. For more information about camping outside the park, click here.