As a family who loves the beauty of nature and outdoor activities, we loved our family trip to Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree has everything you need for a perfect family vacation, from rich cultural history to outdoor adventures and natural wonders.
There are several gateway communities to the national park but they are small towns, so the list of good family-friendly places to stay near Joshua Tree isn’t extensive. We’ve used our knowledge of the Joshua Tree area, coupled with our extensive experience finding kid-friendly accommodations, to come up with this list of the best Joshua Tree National Park hotels for families.
We hope that you’ll find the perfect kid-friendly Joshua Tree hotel for your family vacation.
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The 7 Best Joshua Tree National Park Hotels for Families
As mentioned above, there isn’t an abundance of good quality, family friendly hotels near Joshua Tree National Park. But, we’ve done all the legwork for you and have prepared this list of the best family hotels near Joshua Tree for your family trip.
1. AutoCamp Joshua Tree
If you’re looking for the best place to stay near Joshua Tree National Park with your family, then Autocamp Joshua Tree is a great option. This fun family-friendly hotel is just a 3-minute drive from the Joshua Tree National Park visitor center, so you can swing by and get information for your trip and Junior Ranger activity books for your kids.
Accommodation in this Joshua Tree hotel is high-luxury, offering various fully-equipped options from Airstream trailers to cabins. The Autocamp Joshua Tree accommodations are effectively designed with stylish and modern aesthetics. You’ll be able to enjoy comfortable beds with high-quality linens.
If you are traveling with a furry friend, you’ll be happy to know that the Autocamp is a pet-friendly Joshua Tree hotel, although extra fees will apply.
When it comes to the different family activities you can enjoy at the Autocamp Joshua Tree, the list is endless. After a fun day of enjoying the best kid-friendly hiking trails in Joshua Tree National Park, you can reward your kids with some time in the heated outdoor pool. You’ll also have access to a communal lounge area with a fireplace where you can relax with your loved ones.
With a great location and many family-friendly amenities, the Autocamp Joshua is a great Joshua Tree hotel for your family trip.
2. Castle House Estate
Nestled in a rural setting just outside the mesmerizing landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park, the Castle House Estate offers an unforgettable glamping experience that’s perfect for families seeking adventure with a touch of luxury.
The Castle House Estate is a unique getaway, which has been featured on HGTV, sprawls across 12 acres of pristine desert land, providing guests with a blend of medieval charm and modern comfort.
After a fun and exhausting day of exploring the park, your family will love the experience of glamping near Joshua Tree National Park. Just imagine how brilliant the stars will be as you sit on your outdoor furniture in this rural settling.
Ideal for families eager to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the comforts of home, The Castle House Estate is a really fun place for families to stay near Joshua Tree National Park.
3. Pioneertown Motel
If you are looking for fun & unique family accommodations near Joshua Tree National Park, check out the Pioneertown Motel.
You’ll feel like you stepped back in time at the Pioneertown Motel, a hidden gem located in the high desert just northwest of Joshua Tree National Park. It’s near the section of the park which has the Panorama Loop Trail, one of our favorite kid-friendly hikes in Joshua Tree National Park.
Your kids will love the rustic feel of this historic motel, originally built in the 1940’s for Western movie stars. The fun doesn’t stop at the motel; you’ll want to explore the entire town of Pioneertown, where visitors can walk through a genuine Old West set, complete with a saloon, jail, and other iconic Western buildings.
With its quaint, cowboy-themed rooms and serene desert surroundings, the Pioneertown Motel is the perfect retreat for families looking to immerse themselves in the wild west while enjoying the beauty of the Joshua Tree area.
The one downside of the Pioneertown Motel is that the rooms only have beds for two people with a cot available for a single child. If you have two or more children, you’ll need two rooms.
Whether you’re exploring nearby hiking trails or stargazing under the vast desert sky, the Pioneertown Motel promises an unforgettable adventure for the whole family.
4. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Twentynine Palms
The Fairfield Inn & Suites is a family-friendly Joshua Tree hotel not far from the eastern entrance to the national park. We consider the Fairfield Inn & Suites one of the best Joshua Tree National Park’s family-friendly hotels for several reasons.
Based on our experience visiting Joshua Tree with kids, the eastern entrance to the park is the one you will probably use the most. It has easy access to some of the best attractions in the park, including Skull Rock, Arch Rock, the Cholla Cactus Garden and more.
The Cholla Cactus Garden is a must visit in Joshua Tree National Park with kids.
Your family will appreciate the opportunity to fuel up on the complimentary breakfast buffet before hitting the hiking trails in the national park.
If you love swimming, you can enjoy this activity at the heated pool. An exercise room and BBQ area are also available in this facility to ensure maximum enjoyment.
5. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Twentynine Palms
Another great option located near the eastern Joshua Tree National Park entrance is the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Twentynine Palms.
With its welcoming atmosphere, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel boasts spacious rooms, a refreshing outdoor pool, and a complimentary breakfast that will fuel up your family adventures in the park.
The fitness center and free Wi-Fi are just cherries on top, ensuring your stay is as relaxing as it is fun. Whether you’re here to hike the many family-friendly hiking trails or simply soak in the desert vibes, the Holiday Inn Express is one of the best choices for Joshua Tree National Park hotels for families.
6. High Desert Motel Joshua Tree National Park
The High Desert Motel is another of the best Joshua Tree National Park hotels for families. Similar to the Autocamp, it has an excellent location just minutes away from the visitor center.
The motel is known for its unique and incredible rock formations, abundant wildlife, and desert landscapes. In addition, if you’re looking for a comfortable stay while exploring Joshua Tree park without spending too much money, this is a good affordable option.
The High Desert Motel provides various services and facilities to ensure an enjoyable experience for its guests. After a long, tiresome day of exploring Joshua Tree with kids, you can relax and have fun in the outdoor swimming pool. This affordable Joshua Tree motel also offers a barbecue spot where families can prepare a delicious meal after a great day in the park.
All the rooms at the High Desert Motel have modern and efficient amenities like free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and cable TV to ensure a comfortable stay. Kids will get nice and dirty exploring Joshua Tree National Park, so parents will appreciate the on-site laundry facilities.
7. Americas Best Value Inn & Suites
Last but not least on our list of the best family-friendly Joshua Tree hotels is America’s Best Value Inn & Suites. This motel in Yucca Valley is located just 11 miles away from Joshua Tree National Park.
This cozy Joshua Tree motel offers relaxed rooms suitable for families up to 4 people. These rooms feature flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, microwaves, tea, coffee makers, and mini-fridges to ensure you enjoy your stay. Some even have kitchenettes to prepare meals while staying with your family.
Families traveling to Joshua Tree National Park on a budget will like that children aged 18 and under stay for free at the Americas Best Value Inn & Suites.
There’s also a seasonal outdoor pool, a garden, and a hot tub for your kids to enjoy.
Where we Stayed in Joshua Tree with Kids
We visited Joshua Tree National Park when our kids were 4 & 6 years old. At that time, our kids were not sleeping well in the traditional 2 Queen hotel rooms, so we tended to stay at vacation rentals. We liked having vacation rentals as our young kids could have their own bedrooms, we could cook healthy meals and have laundry facilities for their dirty clothes.
Now that our kids are older, they much prefer staying in hotels for the swimming pools and free breakfasts. Spend a few moments considering whether a hotel or vacation rental is best for your family trip to Joshua Tree National Park.
For our family trip to Joshua Tree, we rented a 3-bedroom house in Twentynine Palms as most of the best attractions in the national park were closer to the eastern entrance.
Final Thoughts on Joshua Tree Hotels for Families
If you are looking for a beautiful and adventurous destination that will provide a unique experience for you and your family, then the Joshua Tree National Park is the place to go.
We hope that our list of the best Joshua Tree National Park hotels for families help you have the best family vacation possible.
Dan Brewer is an intrepid family travel blogger with a passion for exploring the world's most captivating destinations. With 58 countries under his belt and a sense of wanderlust that knows no bounds, he has made it his life's mission to share his travel experiences and insights with fellow families who love to travel.
When Dan isn't traveling with his wife and kids, he's either out enjoying the Canadian Rockies he calls home or working on one of his three travel sites (Family Can Travel, Travel Banff Canada and Ultimate Sports Road Trip).