The Best Hotel in Joshua Tree National Park, California

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Lodging choices in the Joshua Tree National Park area are limited to a few motels, chain hotels, and a luxury bed-and-breakfast establishment in the gateway towns. In general, most offer few amenities and are modestly priced. Book ahead for the spring wildflower season—reservations may be difficult to obtain then.

For a more extensive range of lodging options, you'll need to head to Palm Springs and the surrounding desert resort communities.

The Joshua Tree Inn

$ | 61259 Twentynine Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree, CA, 92252, USA

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.

Pros

  • Complimentary tea, coffee, and granola bars
  • All units have personal back patios
  • Guitars to borrow during stay

Cons

  • Rooms don't get much natural light
  • Far from fancy with furnishings in a mishmash of styles
  • Pool can get loud when kids are present
61259 Twentynine Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree, CA, 92252, USA
760-366–1188
Hotel Details
12 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $

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