Hotels in Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree: High Desert Gateway on the 29 Palms Highway

Joshua Tree sits at 2,720 feet elevation along Highway 62 in San Bernardino County, California, roughly 140 miles east of Los Angeles. The town of about 7,400 residents serves as the western entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, where the Mojave and Sonoran deserts meet across 800,000 acres. The park's signature Yucca brevifolia trees — some exceeding 40 feet — draw botanists, climbers, and photographers year-round. The Skull Rock Nature Trail and Hidden Valley Campground are within 15 minutes of downtown lodging.

Where to Stay

Accommodations cluster along Park Boulevard and the Twentynine Palms Highway corridor. Travelers choose between small inns, vacation rentals, and desert glamping properties. The 29 Palms Inn, operating since 1928, anchors the eastern end near the park's north entrance. Most hotels offer direct sightlines to the Milky Way on clear nights — Joshua Tree sits within a designated Dark Sky Community recognized in 2018.

Practical Tips

• Best months: October through April; summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F (38°C)
• Park access: The west entrance on Park Boulevard is a 10-minute drive from town; purchase passes online to avoid gate queues
• Cell coverage: Spotty inside the park — download offline maps before entering
• Water: Carry at least one gallon per person per day for any trail activity