Welcome to Desert Ace. This is our guide to the best of Joshua Tree and the high desert: where to hike, where to eat, where to stock up, and what to know before you head out. We keep it short and update it often.
Every place in this guide, pinned. Tap a pin for the drive time from Desert Ace and a link to directions.
Drive times are estimates from Desert Ace with typical traffic; yours will vary, and the park can be slow on weekends.
Airports, drive times and getting around the area.
The closest commercial airport. Ontario (ONT) and LAX are the main alternatives, roughly 1.5 to 3 hours away depending on LA traffic.
Uber operates in Joshua Tree around the clock, but pickups can take longer than in a city. Uber Reserve lets you book a ride up to 90 days ahead. Availability of other rideshare, taxi and shuttle services is less certain, so plan on a rental car for park days.
The closest fast charging to Desert Ace. Opened in December 2024 and open to all EVs, not just Rivians. Plug types may change over time, so check the Rivian app before you go.
Tesla Supercharger on the main highway in Yucca Valley. Whether non-Tesla cars can charge here varies by site, so check the Tesla app before you count on it.
Tesla Supercharger at Tortoise Rock Casino in Twentynine Palms, near the park's north entrance. Whether non-Tesla cars can charge here varies by site, so check the Tesla app.
EVgo fast-charging station. Plug types and pricing vary, so check the EVgo app.
Distances and drive times are from Desert Ace, so you can plan your day.
Ranger information and exhibits in the village, a few minutes from the house. Stop in before you enter the park.
Per the National Park Service: $30 per vehicle (valid 7 days), $25 motorcycle, $15 per person on foot or bike. Annual park pass $55; America the Beautiful pass $80 for US residents. General entry does not currently require a timed-entry reservation; Keys Ranch tours do require a reservation. Fees change, so check before you go.
A one-mile loop through a boulder-ringed valley, about 30 to 60 minutes. Little shade and no cell service; bring at least a liter of water per person. Pets are not allowed on the trail.
A 1.1-mile loop, about 30 to 45 minutes, with some steps and rock scrambling. Whether the dam holds water depends on recent rain. Parking can be tight from September to May. No pets or strollers.
A classic sunset viewpoint over the Coachella Valley, at the end of a short road off Park Blvd. Leashed pets are permitted on the short paved trail here.
The full loop is about 1.8 miles with about 120 feet of climbing; the rock itself is near the Jumbo Rocks campground entrance.
A flat quarter-mile loop through nearly 10 acres of teddybear cholla. Do not touch the plants: the joints detach and the spines are painful to remove.
The park's north-side visitor center, near the Oasis of Mara, a short paved trail where leashed pets are permitted.
At the park's south entrance, off I-10. Cottonwood Campground has the darkest skies in the park, so it is the place to head for serious stargazing.
Pets are not allowed on hiking trails or in the backcountry. They are allowed within 100 feet of roads, parking areas, picnic areas and campgrounds, on a leash of 6 feet or less, and on the paved Oasis of Mara and Keys View trails. Never leave a pet in a vehicle, and watch hot pavement.
Popular lots such as Hidden Valley and Barker Dam can close when full, especially on weekends and holidays. Arriving before 8 am gives you the best chance of parking, and cooler hiking. The West Entrance is the busiest; the North (Twentynine Palms) and South (I-10) entrances are quieter. There is no food, water or gas inside the park.
Public trails managed by the Mojave Desert Land Trust start at the corner of Sunny Vista Road and Mountain View Trail. There is no street address, so use the map pin. Dogs are welcome on leash.
Beyond the park: art, stargazing, shopping and day trips.
Large-scale assemblage sculpture in the open desert. Free, self-guided, no reservations (groups over 10 should arrange ahead). The last stretch is a graded dirt road. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Joshua Tree is an International Dark Sky Park. The park's designated stargazing lots are Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock and Ryan Mountain; Cottonwood Campground has the darkest skies. Use red lights only and do not light-paint.
A converted 1949 filling station with gifts, candles, cacti, books and coffee, and the 20-foot cowboy known as Big Josh. Free street parking.
A small pottery studio and shop with handmade ceramics and occasional classes. Dogs are welcome.
Furniture, decor and plants in Yucca Valley.
A village gift shop stocked by many local vendors: handmade goods, art, books, souvenirs and kids' items.
Homewares, art, vintage and apothecary in Yucca Valley.
Guided horseback rides, sunset rides and horse-focused experiences. Book online through the sanctuary's website.
Horseback trail rides in Joshua Tree National Park from a ranch in Yucca Valley. Book online or call (760) 821-7525 for hours and prices.
The main downtown strip runs along N Palm Canyon Drive, a little over 40 minutes from the house.
A rotating tram up the mountain above Palm Springs. Hours change with the season and the day, and the first tram up runs earlier on weekends and holidays, so check pstramway.com for the day you plan to go. Some map apps route you over a restricted road, so follow the tram's own directions.
A Western movie-set town in the hills north of Yucca Valley, home to Pappy & Harriet's and the Red Dog Saloon.
Our favorite places in and around the village.
The original location of a locally roasted coffee brand, tucked down an alley. Dogs are welcome on the patio.
An old-school all-day diner known for its hearty breakfast.
Old West-themed bar with burgers and hearty plates and a shaded patio with fans. Pets are allowed inside and out. Live music on select days.
Historic BBQ saloon and outdoor music venue in the Pioneertown movie-set town. Check the music calendar and book ahead for big nights. Outdoor seating is weather-dependent.
All-day spot with coffee, live music and food pop-ups.
Takeout-focused all-day eatery with a daily-changing menu, in the village center.
Curated wine, spirits, beer and non-alcoholic drinks in the village.
Daytime cafe with a small, rotating, slightly upscale menu.
Small-batch sourdough bakery known for pastries and sandwiches.
Restored 1950s airport restaurant with a martini bar and snacks.
Western-style saloon in Pioneertown with craft beer, live music and Tex-Mex.
Where to stock up before you settle in.
Every Saturday morning on 29 Palms Highway in the village.
Natural-foods grocery in the village.
Full-size grocery store in Yucca Valley.
Full-size grocery store in Yucca Valley. A second Yucca Valley location is at 58060 29 Palms Hwy. Both close around 11 pm.
Asian grocery store in Yucca Valley.
Small grocery with Mexican items, up Yucca Mesa Road.
The big-box run, about 45 minutes out via CA-62 and I-10. Plan it on the way in from Palm Springs.
On the way in from Palm Springs; worth a stop if you are driving from PSP.
Convenience store for water and basics. A Primo water-refill station is at the same address.
For hardware and larger supplies. A Harbor Freight and Walmart Supercenter are also on 29 Palms Hwy in Yucca Valley.
Joshua Tree Bottle Shop, in the village (see Eat & Drink), sells small-production wine plus beer and spirits.
Independent pharmacy in Joshua Tree.
Walgreens is at 58133 29 Palms Hwy and Vons has a pharmacy at 57590 29 Palms Hwy.
Good to know before you head out.
Dial 911 in an emergency. Hi-Desert Medical Center is open 24 hours and is a Level IV Trauma Center.
Desert Oasis Healthcare Immediate Care. Call (760) 365-7520 to confirm hours. For emergencies go to the hospital or dial 911.
There is no gas inside the national park, so fill up before you go.
Another fuel option in the village.
The park service says reception inside the park is very limited, so do not rely on your phone for navigation or emergencies. Download the NPS app and the park map for offline use before you arrive. Coverage in town varies by carrier.
Heat, water and flash-flood tips. The park service advises at least one liter of water per person, sun protection, and telling someone your plan; many trails have no cell service.
Wood-burning fires are not allowed at the house; the gas fire pit is fine to use. Fireworks are always prohibited on public lands. In the park, campfires are allowed only in designated campground fire rings, and NPS adds seasonal bans on wood and charcoal fires (in 2026 they ran June 15 to October 1). Elsewhere, rules change with fire conditions and Red Flag warnings, so follow local fire department notices.
What to expect and how to plan. Temperatures are rough averages from two public sources (the park service and long-term weather-station data), and conditions change with elevation inside the park.
Typical highs run about 72 to 90°F and lows about 42 to 61°F from March to May, cooler as you climb in elevation. Wildflower timing depends on elevation and winter rain: roughly January to mid-April at low elevations, early March to early May around Hidden Valley, and April to June above 5,000 feet. NPS says big displays are rare, so treat any blooms as a bonus. Rattlesnakes become more active as it warms, so watch where you step.
Typical highs run about 95 to 104°F and lows about 65 to 76°F from June to August. Plan outdoor time around the heat. NPS advises about four liters of water per person, hiking only before 9 am and after 5 pm, and never leaving pets in cars. Sunrise, sunset and night skies are the best times to be out; the Milky Way is at its best on moonless nights and the Perseid meteor shower peaks in mid-August.
Typical highs run about 70 to 97°F and lows about 42 to 67°F from September to November. September is still hot, and by November days are comfortable and nights are cool. Late-summer and fall rains can bring small blooms such as chinchweed.
Typical highs run about 60 to 67°F and lows about 35 to 41°F from December to February. Nights are often near or below freezing, and the desert can bring wind, heavy rain and occasional snow at higher elevations, so pack layers and check the forecast. Darkness falls early, which makes for long evenings of stargazing.
Availability, rates and booking are handled through our management partner.
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