RV Park Near Joshua Tree National Park

Three stylized palm trees in yellow, orange, and red stand on a small blue island with no other details.

Explore Joshua Tree by Day. Relax in Resort Comfort by Night

Located in the Coachella Valley, Coachella Lakes RV Resort offers full-hookup RV sites and furnished vacation rentals just a scenic drive from Joshua Tree National Park. Experience iconic desert landscapes, world-famous rock formations, and unforgettable sunsets — then return to the comfort of a resort designed for extended stays.

  • Benefits to staying near Joshua Tree
  • Full Hookups – water, sewer, and electric hookups
  • More convenient than camping – reliable WiFi, modern bathhouses, laundry facilities
  • Access to resort amenities – heated pool, pickleball courts, fishing lakes, and Clubhouse
Joshua Tree National Park Entrance
joshua tree national park night sky
joshua tree national park photos
joshua tree national park stargazing

Information About the Park

  • Joshua Tree National Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You are welcome to drive in and out at any time.
  • There is an entrance fee, but sometimes the fee booth is closed.
  • You may be asked to show your pass or pay the entrance fee on your way out.
  • Reservations are not required for entrance.
  • There are no gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, or hotels.
  • Bring all your own food, water, and supplies. There is no water available in the interior of the park.
  • Cell phone reception is very limited.
  • Pets are not allowed on trails. They must always be on a leash and can’t be more than 100 feet from a road.
  • The park can be crowded on holidays, weekends October to May, and during spring break season (March to mid-April). Be prepared for long lines, limited parking, busy trails, and full campgrounds.
  • Temperatures are most comfortable in the fall and spring, with highs typically in the range of 70-85°F (21-29°C) and lows around 50 (10°C).
  • In the winter, highs are usually around 60°F (15°C) and near or below freezing at night. It occasionally snows at higher elevations.
  • Summers are hot. The highs are typically around 100°F (38°C), and lows are usually near 75°F (24°C) at night.
  • Springtime and holidays are the busiest times of the year and the park can be very crowded.
  • Purchase your pass ahead of time at recreation.gov. This will help expedite the wait times at the entrance. Passes can also be purchased at any visitor center or entrance station.
  • If camping, reserve your campsite in advance. Nearly 85% of the 500+ campsites in the park are by reservation only. They can be booked on recreation.gov up to 6 months in advance.
  • First-come, first-serve campsites fill up very quickly on holidays, most weekends, and the springtime.
  • Check out our current conditions webpage. This has up-to-date information on closures, restrictions, and advisories.
  • Check the weather forecast. It can range from blistering hot to freezing cold and can include gale-force winds, heavy rain, and snow.
  • Download the NPS app. You can find information on visitor centers, campgrounds, trails, things to do, and more.
  • You can also download an offline map to use when you don’t have cell phone reception.
Three stylized palm trees in yellow, orange, and red stand on a small blue island with no other details.

Things to Do at Joshua Tree National Park

Popular Hikes include – Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, Arch Rock, and the Discovery Trail. They are all around one mile and very scenic.

LEARN MORE

  • Experience Sunset at Keys View
    The highest point in Joshua Tree, Keys View offers round-the-clock breathtaking vistas.
  • Nighttime serves up sparkling splendor; and during clear days, visitors are treated to sweeping views of the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs, and the surrounding peaks that stretch all the way to Mexico. But Keys View is at its very best at sunset, when bright oranges and blistering reds saturate the desert sky.

Experienced climbing guides offer lessons for all abilities—from novices to calloused and muscled rock stars—at this land of giant boulders and weathered stone outcroppings. To find a guide stop in at a local climbing gear shop, like Nomad Ventures, in the town of Joshua Tree, on the park’s north side.

BOOK NOW

  • For an in-depth exploration of the park without having to cover a lot of ground on foot, and to probably see features you’d never know about with a guide, consider taking a Jeep or Hummer tour with outfitters such as Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours.
  • You will be showered with incredible information about plants, animals, geology, and Native American history—and if you’ve ever wanted to see inside an active earthquake fault zone, this is one of the coolest ways you can do it.
  • The three-hour San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour will take you between the narrow walls of the water-carved slot canyons created by the seismic movement of the earth’s plates, and teach you about the culture and lifestyle of the Cahuilla Indians. Go during the cooler months (November through March) for the most comfortable temps on the open-air ride through the desert.

BOOK NOW

  • Visits on nights when the moon is NOT in the sky – Check Moon Schedule.
  • The Park gates are always open (24 Hours a day), so you can come and go anytime.
  • The entrance fee is $30/car.
  • The park has designated Stargazing Areas – which have parking and restrooms (see map below)
  • Overnight camping is only allowed in designated Campsites – See our Camping Guide for more Information.
  • Get the Sky Guide App to help you locate the objects in the Night Sky.
  • Bring a Lawn Chair!
  • NOTE: Prime Milky Way Season is Summertime, but you can still see a small portion of it year round – use the App!

LEARN MORE

Outdoor swimming pool with lounge chairs and red umbrellas, adjacent to a modern building, photographed at dusk.

How Far Is Coachella Lakes from Joshua Tree?

Coachella Lakes RV Resort is approximately a 30- minute drive from the south entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, making it an ideal home base for day trips into the park. You can easily:

  • Hike in the morning
  • Explore Keys View
  • Visit Skull Rock
  • Return for sunset pool time
  • Dinner at Nine & Vine, the onsite restaurant

Top Things To Do in Joshua Tree National Park

  • Skull Rock | An iconic rock formation shaped like a skull
  • Panoramic views of the Coachella Valley
  • Hidden Valley | One of the park’s most popular hiking areas with dramatic rock formations
  • Rock Climbing | Joshua Tree is world-famous for beginner and advanced climbing routes.
  • Book a Jeep Tour
A paved road curves past the entrance sign for Joshua Tree National Park, surrounded by yellow wildflowers and rocky desert hills under a clear blue sky.

Joshua Tree National Park Fun Fact

Joshua Tree was once home to Columbian mammoths, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, giant ground sloths, horses, camels, and llamas!

Accommodation Options at Coachella Lakes

A white pickup truck is parked in front of a travel trailer at a campsite, with palm trees and a bright sunset in the background.

Full Hookup RV Sites

  • Spacious sites
  • 30/50 amp service
  • Pet-friendly options
vacation rentals near Coachella

Furnished Vacation Rentals

  • 1- and 2-bedroom floorplans
  • Fully equipped kitchens
  • Ideal for travelers without RVs

FAQs

No, it is located in the Coachella Valley approximately one hour from the park.

Most campgrounds inside the park do not offer full hookups.

Yes. Guests enjoy full resort amenities while remaining close enough for day trips.

The Cottonwood (south) entrance is typically the most convenient.