Joshua Tree Glamping: The Best Luxury Tents, Yurts, Airstreams, and Cabins

Looking for a unique experience at one of the most interesting national parks in the United States? Joshua Tree glamping is gaining popularity. And for good reason. 

With new luxury tents, cabins, airstreams, and yurt options. Joshua Tree glamping is a great way to experience the mountain views in comfort.  This guide reviews the best options for glamping in California’s eco travel hotspot.

Note: This article has been updated for 2021 to reflect the best Joshua Tree glamping sites and unique stays.

How Do Glamping and Camping Differ?

Glamping is becoming more and more popular, especially in the field of ecotourism and eco travel. People want more eco accommodation options rather than a big hotel chain. It is not only better for the environment, but can be a much more unique and memorable experience. 

The biggest difference between glamping vs camping is the feel of permanence. Glamping accommodations are generally a little more permanent and have amenities that you would not normally bring with you in a temporary camping setup. There is a level of “glam” and it is generally more comfortable than camping with has additional luxuries. 

Here is a quick overview of some of the things you could expect while Joshua Tree Glamping vs. Camping.

Camping	Glamping
Pitch a tent (normally light nylon or polyester )	A permanent tent which is usually made out of heavy-duty material. It is larger in size, with things like cupboards, chairs, a comfortable bed, couch, etc.
Use a torch at night	Permanent setup of solar-powered fairy lights
Using hand warmers at night	A heater inside your tent

In Joshua Tree, you can actually camp inside the national park as there are a few designated campsites. Here you could create your own Joshua Tree Glamping experience.

This post, however, focuses on glamping experiences where everything is set up and ready for you. Whether you want great content for your posts or just looking to escape the city, this list of Joshua Tree Glamping sites will cover your needs.

The Castle House Estate Joshua Tree Yurts

This Joshua Tree glamping accommodation is connected to a “castle”. Well, it looks like an old castle tower. On the property, you can stay in a Yurt (an old-style “medieval” style tent), in one of the castle “guard towers”, or in a shipping container home.

The property has been featured in various photoshoots and boasts some impressive palm trees on site! An outdoor pool provides the final touches on the Castle House property Joshua Tree glamping experience.

Eco Travel Key Points:

• Low impact construction and energy use 

The Desert Yacht Club Joshua Tree Glamping

16 guests · 10 bedrooms · 14 beds · 6 baths · Superhost

This truly unique location can be found in the back of the Yucca Valley. It is far enough away from civilization that you can make as much noise as you like. Yet, close enough that you can be in Yucca town within 10 minutes and at the Joshua Tree Park entrance in 25.

Walking about the grounds is simply a pleasure to the imagination. Everywhere you look there are little details that are something of an artistic dream. A vintage patterned couch sits under a lone Joshua Tree. A mirrored glass, 6 feet tall egg reflects light in all directions. 

But the most interesting part (and where the name comes from) are the boats. There are a couple of boats scattered around the grounds that have been converted into accommodation (and Playboy did a photoshoot on them).

The Desert Yacht Club has various glamping tents, vans, airstreams and more. You can either book a single lodging or the whole place.

Joshua Tree Glamping at The Desert Yacht Club

Eco Travel Key Points:

• The grounds are run on solar power, so if you are concerned about charging your devices, bring an extra portable solar panel or car electronic charger 
• The pool can’t be accessed during winter (saves water heating energy)

Joshua Tree Yurts: Moonshine, Dougs Corner & Kooks Corner

2 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 3 baths · Superhost

Like the Desert Yacht Club, this site contains a couple of different eco accommodation options. Surrounded by the majestic Joshua Trees, there are 3 yurts to choose from, and two tiny houses (one is an A-Frame). There’s a shared bathhouse/kitchen, a pool, and even a spa.

What better way is there to relax after exploring the Joshua Tree National Park, than soaking in a spa underneath the stars!

Eco Travel Key Points:

• Bring some solar lights for extra lighting at night
• It can get cold at night so make sure you bring enough layers of clothes
• Try using eco friendly toiletries

Joshua Tree Airstreams & RV’s

Staying in a Joshua Tree airstream or van is a great choice for those who love to camp but prefer a more luxurious experience. In the past several years, there has been a steady increase in airstreams for rent. These accommodations offer a stylish and unique experience.

Here are some highly rated Joshua Tree airstreams and RV’s.

House of the Rising Moon

4 guests · 1 bedroom · 2 bathrooms

Joshua Tree Acres

2 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 2 shared baths · Superhost

Joshua Tree glamping can be such a wild experience. The Joshua Tree Acres is an amazing artist retreat with vintage airstreams and unique dwellings. Situated on 5 acres of land, with Joshua trees throughout the property, you can stay in one of the two airstreams or vintage home.

It’s a perfect spot to get your desert vibes on and take some crazy photos. Each airstream is designed with its own style, focusing on beautiful and homely touches. There is no running water in the airstreams, however, there is a communal “clubhouse” with a bathroom and kitchen to use.

The property also features a hot tub, outdoor shower, outdoor kitchen, communal table, and fireplace.

Eco Travel Key Points:

• Bring a solar powered light for at night if you want to get around
• A refillable water bottle is handy for at night in your airstream

Unique Escapes

There are some amazing and unique cabins around Joshua Tree worth looking into.

Platforms for finding more eco accommodation and cabins for your Joshua Tree Glamping experience include the following:

• Airbnb (use the filters and choose your desired unique stay)
• Ecobnb (similar to Airbnb, but focused on eco friendly accommodation and eco resorts)
• Plumguide

The following stays have been handpicked for their unique features.

Desert Saga: Off-grid Minimalist Cabin

6 guests · 2 bedrooms · 2 beds · 1 bath · Plumguide

Uniquely Joshua Tree. While the exterior resembles a weathered, spacecraft. The interior is elegantly styled with modern amenities. Take advantage of the open-air bedroom which is perfect for stargazing in this off-grid haven. Complete with a full kitchen, outdoor grill, hammocks, and wide-open views, you’re sure to remember this getaway experience. 

Geodesic Joshua Tree Dome in The Desert

4 guests · 1 bedroom · 2 bath · VRBO

This unique geodesic dome house sits on 2.5 acres in the Mojave Desert and is the perfect place to kick back. You can relax in the outdoor cowboy tub, mix up some drinks in the bar, and stargaze into the night in this creative artist retreat.

Featuring a king bed in the loft, and two twin beds, it’s the perfect stay for couples or families with older children.

Wild Wolf Ranch

6 guests · 3 bedrooms · 3 bathrooms · VRBO

Would you like to access this stunning geodome? Get a group together and stay at the beautiful Wild Wolf Ranch, an eclectic desert hacienda.

Situated on a fully fenced 8.5 acre Ranch with fully-grown Joshua Tree’s scattered on the property, is a 3 bed, 2.5 bath Adobe Hacienda. The interior is styled beautifully with vintage touches, and outside, you can find a cowboy tub, hot tub, day beds, a large dining area, outdoor shower, firepit, and the stunning geodome for meditation, yoga and sound baths.

Pause House PM off-grid cabin

2 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bathroom · 1 bath · Plumguide

This stylish cabin offers a wonderful, secluded experience with uninterrupted desert views in a clean and contemporary setting.
This cabin is powered entirely by solar energy and features an open-plan layout that incorporates a mix of charcoal and woody tones. 

Tiny Houses in Joshua Tree

The tiny house movement is gaining traction around the world, and for good reason, less is more. Joshua tree is home to a couple of unique tiny houses so you can experience this minimalist living in a beautiful destination. Here are some of the most popular places on Airbnb.

Mesquite Cabin Studio with Private Hot Springs Tub

2 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bath ·  VRBO

This tiny home/studio cabin is perfectly designed for a couple’s getaway. Located 15 minutes away from Joshua Tree this unique stay features a private rock soaking tub that is fed by mineral rich hot spring water.

The cabin is situated on ‘Wonder Valley Hot Springs’, a 20-acre property with multiple homes. Although other guests may be on the land, the cabin is private.

Joshua Tree Glamping – Essential Packing Checklist

When Glamping in Joshua Tree, there are a few essentials that you should pack. Things to remember are:

• It’s a desert – it’s dry & hot during the day with minimal shade
• Nights can get extremely cold 
• There are limitations to shopping access 
• Water & electricity are minimal in some locations

Packing minimal always helps, but there are few things that come in seriously useful. As always try and say no to plastic where you can!

Joshua Tree Glamping Eco Travel Checklist 

• Reusable Water Bottle – Don’t forget to drink plenty of water out there! Hydroflasks are great as they will keep your water cold for hours!
• Sunscreen – try an organic sunscreen that’s better for your skin and the environment 
• Solar Powered Light/Phone Charger – there’s plenty of sunlight to charge solar devices when electricity is not available 
• Non Toxic Bug Spray – With fewer chemicals, it’s better for you and the environment 
• Eco Toiletries – switching to things like bamboo toothbrushes from cardboard packaging will significantly  reduce your risk of accidentally polluting the national park or surrounding area
• Single Use Plastic Alternatives – avoiding single use plastic items is a great way to help protect the national park ​​

Eco Fashion Stores In Yucca Valley 

Sustainable fashion is not only an important part of eco travel, but is also trending right now. And, part of the sustainable fashion movement is vintage! Your Joshua Tree Glamping experience would not be complete without visiting some of the amazing vintage stores in the area.

Funky and Darn Near New

As the name suggests, it is full of funky options perfect for Joshua Tree Glamping and desert photos! Only a short walk from “The End” it is definitely worth a look on your way into the park if you’re interested in a Western-style hat or a sparkling jacket.

Ricochet vintage wear

Looking for a last chance grab at some vintage cowboy boots before you enter Joshua Tree National Park? This place is made for you. Located on the Main Street (Twentynine Palms Highway), it is right near the turn off to the park’s northern entrance. 

Hi-Desert Medical Center Auxiliary thrift shop

A more traditional thrift store with a lot less “funkiness”. Nevertheless, there are some great deals here and it’s worth a stop (and only a short walk from Ricochet Vintage).

The End

Located on the Main Street (Twentynine Palms Highway) of Yucca Valley, this little store packs a punch. It has everything from vintage rings to full-length dresses to jackets and hats. Whether you’re looking for a funky fashion piece to live out your desert dream or a reliable boot to take you where you need to go, “The End” is a must-do on your way into Joshua Tree.

What Is Joshua Tree?

Joshua Tree National Park is a desert wonderland. Filled with the infamous “Joshua Trees” in a wild mountainous setting. 

The park sits at a relatively high elevation and though it gets hot during the day, it can get down to freezing temperatures at night. Each morning and afternoon the sunlight melts across the bouldered landscape to create some of the most interesting photo opportunities in the USA.

Where Did The Joshua Trees Get Their Name From?

The name is a reference to biblical stories. It’s said that the trees were named by the Mormon Pioneers who, in the 1800s named the trees after “Joshua” who raised his hands in prayer. There really is something “humanlike” about the trees.

Are Joshua Trees Only Inside The National Park?

No. The actual Joshua Trees are scattered from the park all the way through the Yucca Valley. In fact, if you really want to get out of your car and take a photo next to a Joshua Tree, some of the best spots are in the Yucca Valley.

Joshua Tree glamping is about spending time with the trees in a more relaxed and comfortable setting. A tree view at sunset, walking distance from your glamping accommodation is what we’re looking for.

Joshua Tree National Park Entrance Fee

Entrance Fees are set by the National Park Service.  They are a set price (either one day, two days, etc. up to a week). 

Entrance Fee – $30.00

• 7-day vehicle permit, admitting the passengers of a single, non-commercial vehicle on the day of purchase and for the next six days.

Motorcycle Entrance Fee – $25.00

• 7-day entrance permit, per motorcycle.

Individual Entrance Fee – $15.00

• 7-day entrance fee, per person on foot or bike.

Non-commercial Groups – Per Person – $15.00

• A per-person fee charged to non-commercial groups entering in a vehicle with a capacity of 16 passengers or more.

How To Get To Joshua Tree?

Start your Joshua Tree Glamping trip off right. Driving by car is easiest. But for eco travel you can take public transport, with buses and shuttles in use. 

Car

• Getting to the park from Los Angeles takes about 3.5 hours
• Tip: Take Highway 62 through Yucca Valley and go to the northern entrance for the most interesting views

Bus

• Depending on where you are going from there may or may not be direct bus routes
• There are direct routes from LA to Palm Springs 
• TIP: Use the shuttle bus service inside the park to avoid entrance fees

Fly

• Palm Springs has an airport and is very close to to the Joshua Tree National Park

Shuttle service inside Joshua Tree park 

Joshua Tree National park had a two-year funded pilot program offering free Roadrunner Shuttle services. There were shuttle service pickup stops at Twentynine Palms Transit Centre and Oasis Visitor Center. This program concluded in May 2019, and has not been funded to continue.

How Many Days Should You Stay In Joshua Tree?

This will depend on your interests. 

You can pretty much cover the National Park in one day. This can easily be done by car.

But if Joshua Tree Glamping is what you came for, then you’re going to want to stay and enjoy it. As a minimum, 2 nights are needed to really get a feel for the area (if you’ve never been before).

Do I need to stay in Joshua Tree?

You can do a Joshua Tree day trip, however, there are so many unique and trendy Joshua tree airbnbs to stay in, you will want to spend the night. There are options all around the Yucca Valley, whether you want a sustainable luxury stay or a modern airstream.

Alternatively, there are some dreamy Airbnbs in Palm Springs that you can stay in, and plenty of fun things to do in this quirky town.

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