Photo courtesy Folly Collection
In southern California, just beyond the reach of fabulous Palm Springs and roughly three hours from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most naturally stunning landscapes in North America, if not the world. With endless hiking, camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, off-roading, and everything else one might want to do in the desert, the area around Joshua Tree has become a worldwide destination for nature lovers of all types. And that’s exactly where these 20 cabins, pueblo-style casitas, and other unique stays are waiting for you to check-in and check out the region.
Join us in a daydream of relaxing amidst bright desert days and star-filled nights at any of these Joshua Tree AirBnB and other rental properties in the charming and quirky towns of Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, Pioneertown, and Twentynine Palms (where you'll find Out There Bar, a friendly new watering hole by friends of FM). Then book your visit and make those dreams a reality.
Dreaming of doing all of the above elsewhere? Check out our Best Cabin Rentals section for expertly curated lists of the best Airbnb, VRBO, glamping sites, and other vacation rentals in mountain towns, beach communities, and desert getaways around North America.
The 20 Most Unique Joshua Tree Vacation Rentals
The Joshua Tree Hidden Tower Ranch — Joshua Tree, CA
Vibe: Rancho Relaxo
Simple and sun-filled with rustic design details inspired by traditional ranches, The Joshua Tree Hidden Tower Ranch is connected to a unique 100-year-old water tower converted into a freestanding cottage for guests. Climb up to the tower’s third story for unobstructed desert views, observe the night sky, or walk out through one of the three sets of french doors from the open-concept dining area to the private 2.5 acre property where you can relax in a hammock in the high desert.
Price: $164/night
Halcyon Hideaway — Joshua Tree, CA
Vibe: Earthly Delights
Located on 50 acres of high desert hills and valleys, this spa-themed home is a true oasis. Designed to host eight guests, there's no shortage of space for everyone to live their best life together, including an eight-person hot tub, cold plunge tub, multiple indoor and outdoor living spaces, and a second building with a kids zone, a huge 18-person dining table, and an oversized sauna. And it's all decked out in soothing earth tones and natural materials.
Price: $580/night
House of Roy — Pioneertown, CA
Vibe: A Cowboy's Cabin
This VRBO rental channels Roy Rogers’ colorful western style with a log cabin construction set against the backdrop of the sparse Joshua Tree desert landscape. Inside, there are 16 foot-tall ceilings with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and modest-sized indoor cinema. On the outside, a wraparound patio has everything and more: a cowboy tub, firepit, and a quartet of hammocks for stargazing. When the sun goes down, a shimmering disco ball turns this desert oasis into a desert discotheque. Not to mention, it’s a short walk from the famous honky-tonk BBQ restaurant and venue, Pappy & Harriet’s.
Price: $319/night
Wander Joshua Tree — Yucca Valley, CA
Vibe: Go Big or Go Home
You will want for nothing when you’re staying at Wander’s high-end modern home just three miles from Joshua Tree National Park. The sprawling 2,600 square-foot hideout is luxurious—a private hot tub, pool, yoga deck, and dining patio lookout at the mountain landscape. And for those who are there to work remotely, don’t worry, it also comes equipped with ultrafast wifi. Did we mention the FREE TESLA? All the better for sustainable exploration of Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding area.
Price: $695/night
Industrial Modern Cabin — Yucca Valley, CA
Vibe: Tub for Two
This newly listed rental is tucked away on a hillside outside of Yucca Valley, so you'll have a private oasis while still being 10 minutes to downtown. The interior features a rustic vibe, while the outdoor patio offers a fireplace, hot tub, and not one, but two cowboy pools for side-by-side soaking, all surrounded by gorgeous desert mountain views.
Price: $332/night
The Joshua Tree Stargazing Desert Retreat — San Bernardino County, CA
Vibe: Desert Pool Party
We’ll admit that this minimalist casita hideaway lacks some of the charm and character of the other Joshua Tree cabins on this list, but when it comes to acing a trip to the desert, scoring an outdoor space with a pool is a real win. A short 10-minute drive to downtown Joshua Tree and nearby the park’s west entrance, relax and cool off after a hot day exploring the desert.
Price: $354/night
Whitewater A-Frame Cabin — Riverside County, CA
Vibe: A Log Cabin in the Desert
Described as the “only A-Frame log cabin in the California desert”, Whitewater is truly a unique getaway that’s set on an unusually lush five acres of private property. The bright and airy cabin is crafted from cedar wood with a spacious living room and its peaceful bathroom features a cloud mural as the backdrop for one seriously soothing freestanding tub. It’s almost 45 minutes to Joshua Tree National Park, but for those who want something a little different between the mountains and the desert, this is your spot.
Price: $271/night
The Joshua Tree House — Joshua Tree, CA
Vibe: High Design in the High Desert
Located a 10 minute drive from the west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, and within walking distance to Joshua Tree village, this minimalist meets southwestern hacienda couldn't have a more ideal location. Plus, the interior is something to see too.
Rate: $300/night
Rock Reach House — Yucca Valley, CA
Vibe: Eco Desert Dream
Built into the boulders, among the ancient juniper, pinón, and desert oak trees, the Rock Reach House is a Field Mag favorite for a reason. Sitting 4,000 feet above sea level in the Mojave Desert, the house is 1,000 square feet of pure desert-dwelling delight. With a full kitchen, wood-burning fireplace, Jacuzzi and cowboy tub, an electric car charging port, and with pets allowed, this hideaway is everything we’ve ever wanted during a desert retreat.
Rate: $419/night
Hey Cowboy — Palm Wells, CA
Vibe: Wild Wild West
Originally built in 1954, this stylish off-grid retreat is powered by solar energy. Rustic wooden furniture and ceramic kitchenware give this cabin a campground feel, but an outdoor steel pool and cowboy-style bathtub, plus a grill for cooking up some BBQ, bring in the luxury. (And don't worry, there's WiFi.)
Rate: $607/night
House of Mercury — Joshua Tree, CA
Vibe: Starry Starry Night
Located in the dark skies regions of Joshua Tree, just outside Landers, this studio-sized cabin is perfect for relaxing and enjoying a starry night. Besides the homey interior, a seasonal cowboy hot tub, outdoor seating area, and additional cabin for remote work await for your enjoyment.
Rate: $202/night
Off-Grid Stargazing Cabin — Twentynine Palms, CA
Vibe: Adult Camp Sleepover
Tiny house living has never looked quite so appealing–these modern, minimal steel structures might not look comfy, but trust us when we say that they are. Choose to sleep under the night sky in the open bedroom or opt to sleep indoors in the second bedroom loft, there are plenty of places to make yourself right at home in these tiny off-grid cabins.
Rate: $590/night
Modernist Cabin — Joshua Tree, CA
Vibe: Modernist Home, Home on the Range
A property so good you’ll be singing “home, home on the range” in no time? That’s absolutely the appeal of this modernist vacation home designed by architect Ron Radziner in Joshua Tree. With some of the best hiking in California just out your front door and humble accommodations that will have you grounding yourself in more ways than one, this casita is precisely the kind of place we’d like to call home.
Rate: $332/night
Abracadabra Dome — Landers, CA
Vibe: A Musician on Mars
This otherworldly dome in the desert is giving us all the right boho vibes. Built in 1981 but recently reimagined by a writer and musician duo, this space hits all the right notes. Read a book from the library or spin a record on the record player while you sit in the cowboy bathtub and take in the vistas. There are plenty of ways to find your creativity at this real-life space station.
(Ed Note: Love Geodesic Domes? This deep dive is for you)
Rate: $295/night
Eye of the Desert — Flamingo Heights, CA
Vibe: The More the Merrier
This place has a seemingly endless array of well-done spaces, including a yurt and three trailers with their own cozy beds. The mini campus-sized retreat sleeps 12 people total and has plenty of places to lounge including a hot tub and a fancy outdoor swing, so bring some friends.
Rate: $694/night
Casa Mami Pioneertown — Pioneertown, CA
Vibe: Real Life Rothko
Sitting on five acres of property, with simple, yet well thought-through details that are hard not to love–hello, out-swinging French doors, Moooi Cloud Sofa by Marcel Wanders, outdoor shower and mid-century Malm wood burning fireplace–Casa Mami is just the place we could use in our lives right now. The property owners specifically warn that there’s no cell phone service at the house, which normally might deter some, but right now, might be just the ticket.
Rate: $232/night
Mojave Mesa — Yucca Valley, CA
Vibe: Treat Yo Self Isolation
While we’re big fans of the architecture at Mojave Mesa, the selling point on this affordable tiny home is the amenities that can be delivered (quite literally) to your cacti-adorned doorstep. From farm fresh eggs to private yoga sessions, a morning visit from a masseuse or a late afternoon hand-poke tattoo—there’s pretty much no better place to stay relaxed and disconnected than from this high desert landscape haven.
Rate: $162/night
Hi-Desert Fade Summer — Pioneertown, CA
Vibe: The Desert Dweller
Sitting at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains, part of the Pioneertown Mountains Preserve, this abode boasts two bedrooms and two bathrooms, making it an excellent getaway for couples or small families. Perfect for desert dwellers and the geologically curious, the surrounding fauna of desert scrub oaks, Joshua trees, yuccas, cholla, and creosote make this spot one that isn’t to be overlooked when you need to get reacquainted with your inner Bedouin.
Rate: $314/night
Flamingo Social Club — Yucca Valley, CA
Vibe: Birds of a Feather
If birds of a feather flock together, we want to flock with whoever dreamed up this colorful little hideaway. With bright colors, a hot tub and cowboy tub, a private desert dock (check the photos to see what we're talking about, it's actually very cool), a propane gas fire pit, and surrounded by literally nothing but desert solace, this is a dream destination for getting away from it all.
Rate: $179/night
Pause House — Yucca Valley, CA
Vibe: The Wake Up Call You Needed
With a level 2 charger ready to juice up your electric vehicle, Casper mattresses and pillows, Frette linens and towels, a hot tub and cowboy tub, and only a 10-minute drive from Joshua Tree, the Pause House: AM is the wake-up call you didn’t realize you needed. With no shortage of desert views and a minimalistic aesthetic, the property is worth pausing real life for, even if it’s only for a day.
Rate: $272/night
Published 05-15-2023
