Fodor's Expert Review The Joshua Tree Inn

Like the Harmony Motel in Twentynine Palms, this rustic roadside refuge will forever be a part of rock music lore, though, admittedly, it's tied to a darker moment—singer/guitarist and member of The Byrds Gram Parsons died in Room 8, which, despite its sad history and reports of paranormal activity, is still the most requested room. The inn, also a favorite of John Wayne and Donovan, wears this backstory like a badge of honor, usually playing tunes from Parsons' Grievous Angel album in the lobby, maintaining a memorabilia room, and sometimes hosting tribute concerts. Also like the Harmony, the single-story property seems stuck in time despite periodic updates (including a solar-power conversion). It's far from fancy, with dark cream-and-brown rooms with wood-paneled ceilings and mismatched furniture, so it's better suited to those making a purposeful pilgrimage than to those who seek pampering.