Kinda of reluctant to leave a review because I want to keep it a secret--but no gatekeeping here, I…read moreguess! Didn't take pics but looking at the other reviews, all are pretty much the same. It was my first time at this campground. Loved the email and text updates. They were very helpful! As we drove up, we were greeted by site staff and given some quick tips and shown our site. Check in and out was SUPER easy the the staff are very accommodating. The site is kept very nicely and actual ground is so level and firm. The location is ideal as it is close to the west entrance to JTNP and other shops and restaurants. Loved the dog park that is adjacent to the campgrounds. The quiet hours are not strictly upheld, however, as there was a very loud group next to us. But, it was not too bad and they were out by 1am. Overall, it was the best experience and I can't wait to get back.

Very simple, clean, close to the national park (5min). The hosts are very kind. Full bathrooms…read morewith showers. Would use again for a night or two.

Spent the night here in a Dirtbag Y site. Tad, the host, is very easy to work with and very…read morehelpful. He promptly met us and reviewed everything we needed to know and all the things provided in the yurt setup. All we brought was food and drink, everything else provided. Definitely recommend. Check reviews on hipcamp.com - 4.6 star rating from 1,344 reviews

Stayed here a couple of days ago cause everything was booked up in Joshua Tree. We reserved a spot…read morea couple of days before, but when we got there, there weren't any spots available. I texted the owner, and in about 1 minute, Tad came out and guided us to a spot we could camp for the night. It was right next to the other spots but had not fire ring. So what does Tad do? Goes and brings us a portable fire pit! Awesome service! Anyways, the place is really just a part of the owners property right by there house. But it is nice, for a few nights of camping when you can't get a spot in the park. I would totally stay here again. They'll even cook you breakfast if you order it the night before. It is an extra charge though, I think $12. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because of the bathroom situation. It was just a bucket behind a wall, no door even! But Tad told us they were getting a port-a-potty very soon. I definitely recommend Dirtbag Campground!

This review is the official notice of my resignation from the (dis)honorary title of "Dirt Bag…read moreClimber". Moonlight Mesa Retreats currently offers two different homes for rent in Joshua Tree. This review is for the "Rio House". The house is in the Monument Manor sub-division uphill from HW 62, only a half mile from the entrance to the park. From the outside the house is pretty non-descript. It sits on a five acre lot and has a fenced in backyard. Inside the house you will be stoked by the following features: *Three huge bedrooms, we're still not sure which room is the "master bedroom". One room has a Queen size sleigh bed w/ feather cover and a patio to the backyard. One has the bookcase, and stereo, and wide screen HD TV, and sofa. Upstairs is the (master?) with it's own bathroom, and craftmatic vibrating bed! *New kitchen with black granite counter top, ss gas range, convection toaster oven, dishwasher etc. All- Clad (copper core!) cook wear, lots of stem wear and assorted dishes. *Dogs welcome *Super quiet, and close to the park. For five nights it cost $900.

Book early because all of the houses fill up fast. I was in a rush to book so I chose Quail…read moreCrossing. Looking back, it seems like Sunset Terrace or Rio House might have been a better choice for us. Quail Crossing is described on Moonlight Mesa's website as their "most secluded rental" so I expected some major seclusion but there were quite a few neighbors within a short distance. I suppose it's like saying I am the tallest of the three Asian girls but it still doesn't necessarily mean I'm tall. Get it? Unfortunately, the weather was not very good the two nights we were there. We were only able to enjoy the beautiful outdoor space the first afternoon when we arrived. After that, it rained and was ridiculously windy. When the rain finally cleared up, it was 40 degrees outside so we spent the majority of the weekend indoors. Parts of the house reminded me a little too much of Ikea. However, I do have to say that the house was very well equipped. It had all the condiments and spices you need for cooking, tons of toys for kids, lots of DVDs for entertainment, and all the miscellaneous items you don't realize you need until you do like extra paper to make shopping lists, tape, and even a martini shaker. Each of the bathrooms had hair dryers and flat irons and although you had to bring your own shampoo and conditioner, they provided body wash. Also, Christa was very easy to work with and responsive by email. I would recommend Moonlight Mesa Retreats to anyone looking for a reliable, comfortable, and clean rental in Joshua Tree.

I was lucky enough to spend an AMAZING weekend at Rockhouse Retreat with 8 lovely friends! The…read moresurroundings and accommodations are magical. We had everything we needed and got to take time to have lots of fun. We even went for a SoundBath in Landers (highly recommended)! Whether a quiet getaway for 2 or a house full, Rockhouse is the place to go!!

What a great place. Can't wait to go back. Nice people, made us feel at home and looked after our…read moreevery need. Thanks Rebecca!!

Stayed here while visiting Joshua Tree and really enjoyed the experience. It's about a 15-minute…read moredrive to the park, which made it a great home base without being right in the crowds. The bungalow itself was thoughtfully designed -- clean, modern, and very comfortable. Loved the natural light, cozy seating area, and the overall desert-modern aesthetic. The bathroom was well done and felt spa-like, and everything was laid out in a way that made the space feel calm and uncluttered. The property was quiet and relaxing, especially in the evenings, and check-in was smooth and easy. Great spot to unwind after a long day of hiking or exploring the area.

Fun quirky property on a retreat. Spacious, well-designed room with floor to ceiling windows on…read moretwo sides for perfect desert views, our room had a little private patio that overlooked the east for sunrise. The units come with a little kitchen with full gas, stove and oven and a full-size refrigerator and stocked with cooking essentials. Perfect after a long day of driving to just be able to whip up some pasta. There is a grocery store about a mile and a half away. The viewing area where you can see both sunrise and sunset was amazing. Huge fire pit too, but it was so warm when we visited that we didn't need it. The retreat was cool to walk through, nice pool area, which we didn't have a chance to use! We were only there one night, but it would be a perfect homebase for a few days exploring the area. Highly recommend and would definitely stay again.

Review is for the hike, the payoff is an abandoned adobe homestead with the main structure still…read morestanding and old parts strewn around the base of Ryan Mountain. Joshua Tree will always have a special place in my memory. I came camping here for the first time as an elementary school kid and my friend's father taught me how to pitch a tent, spot constellations, and different types of rocks. Luckily, my kids seem to have inherited the same feelings and loved their time at Ryan's Ranch. Hike is an easy 1.1 miles out and back but you can spend much more time scrambling on the rocks which we did. There are Joshua Trees everywhere you can walk right up to. My favorite part was total freedom to explore. It's not like many hikes that have a set path and barriers to stay in, a lot for the rock scrambles are very close to the trail and there is easy visibility so you won't get lost if you don't wander too far.

When we were there it was quiet and our site, #5, was close to the bathroom. We were pretty close…read moreto site 6 and luckily it was unoccupied when we camped. It felt like we had a lot of space to ourselves. The site is pretty exposed so the sun was burnin'! There seemed to be a lot of sites on the other side of the campground that were next to big boulder rocks so there are sites with more shade. The bathrooms were pretty clean, no showers. The fire risk was high due to the high winds so we were barred from using the fire pit and bbq grill that weekend. The Joshua trees are mesmerizing and are everywhere! There are a couple more campgrounds in Joshua tree that we would like to check out but wouldn't hesitate to stay at Ryan campground again!

If you are looking for the ultimate relaxing retreat to get away from it all, Villa dei Fiori is an…read moreabsolute must! I have stayed in many vacation rentals in Colorado, Lake Arrowhead, San Diego, Barcelona and Madrid (just to name a few). But this Villa by far exceeds them all - I had the opportunity to stay twice - in Fall as well as Summer and I will certainly return. The Home: There are three bedrooms - each uniquely decorated with nice views. The home is air conditioned and very comfortable even in the hotter months. If you like to cook while on vacation, you will not be disappointed with the quality of the utensils and cookware in this kitchen. The knives are really nice and very sharp, there are utensils of every kind and the cookware is very extensive - not to mention a very nice collection of spices. If you love attention to detail, you will love this beautiful home and it's history. It is a space of eclectic beauty boasting gorgeous interiors, art work and a book collection like no other that allow for hours of reading enjoyment. There are so many beautiful details in this home, it would be impossible to name them all. The Property: The property itself is astounding. If you are looking for a true Joshua Tree experience of breath taking rock formation views, you need not even leave the property as there is plenty of day hiking just outside the doors of this amazing home. The property has a gorgeous completely gated pool as well as a spa and both are very secure. The peacefulness while laying by this pool is therapeutic. I have never experienced such tranquility watching hawks sore high above the rock formations set against crystal clear blue skies. Roaming the property is such a delight as there are acres of land and adventures to explore as you search for the hidden rock cave. Along the way you will find meticulously manicured landscaping of beautiful trees, native shrubs and elaborate rose gardens. It is very secluded and free from noises of the city which is especially nice if you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the rat race. I can not say enough nice things about Villa dei Fiori including the owner Dale who is such a delight and has wonderful stories of the home and the lovely surroundings. The pride and love he has for his home is very evident in all the details. I have stayed in other properties in Joshua Tree. This by far exceeds them all. Once you stay once, this will be your hidden get away gem forever. Shout out to Dale the owner: Thank you for providing your lovely home for others to enjoy and your gracious hospitality.

Think Glamping not European Villa…read more With so many glowing reviews on VRBO, I was a bit slack jaw upon arriving at how very un-Villa or 'stunning' this house actually is - It is a shack placed in heaven. My 3 stars here are based on my expectations created by the owner's VRBO and Website description. If you suspect it's going to be worn around the edges like everything else in the desert, you will not be disappointed. I believed what I read. So here I am with an honest review and photos. This house sits on an amazing lot right up against the Butt Crack boulders that Joshua Tree is famous for. You will be met by Dale, the guy in the photos and a very nice and caring man if not a 'little' OCD. He will take you on a 45 minute tour of the house. He will ask which of your party will be the 'light monitor' and he's serious. He will ask who will be doing the dishes because 'it's best to have the same person put them away if they are the one that took them out' - but don't worry if you forget because every cabinet has a photograph of the placement for the well worn pots, silverware, dishes, etc all put away like a surgery tray and you are to keep it that way. The unattractive cramped kitchen is also the main entrance foyer pass through. Dale texted us during our stay about things he forgot to tell us during our orientation, like it's windy cover the jacuzzi, close the doors, watch the snakes. Super helpful of course.. Meanwhile, grumpy neighbor requires that you do not make noise on the west side of the house. Which is where the pool and caves are. So at 4pm Dale fretted over my 6 year old who was laughing while exploring the caves. "he's not listening to what I said" Inside, furniture is pushed in a row against the walls like a house party (or funeral). Oddly, there are only 2 lounge chairs located in the front yard a few feet from the quiet street. But no loungers near the pool nor the drop dead gorgeous rear yard. No hammock. No cushy sofa. Nothing for horizontal chilling out, although we grabbed a pad and laid on the awesome boulders like sunning lizards. Pool impossibly freezing. Jacuzzi great. The only bathroom is tiny and gloomy 'be careful what you flush or you will be charged if we have to call the plumber'. The sheets are older and soaked in fabric softener, there are no extra sets of sheets or blankets. No throws. Pillows are dead. If you like nice bedding, bring them. The scratchy, polyester floral coverlets smell like your old Aunt Martha in Florida. Dale needs to hit Home Goods big time. There are french doors but only 1 window in the entire house that opens (master), so at night when the critters come out or during the frequent winds, you are to 'be sure to close all the doors'. No fresh nighttime air to lull you. The house is in a bowl geographically so no view of the sunset, but climbing makes it worth it. Stay here for the yard, which is so amazing and wonderful you'll be tempted to ignore the house. But I had to write this poopyhead review so others can manage their expectations.

This was my experience at this place. I initially planned to book it for two nights but…read moreaccidentally booked only one. While the host was very nice and super friendly, I'm actually glad we stayed for just one night. First, we couldn't stargaze because it was freezing. While the temperature is obviously out of anyone's control, it made us retreat inside as soon as we arrived since it was also very dark. We did try to use the outside fireplace and do some stargazing, but it was too cold. On the bright side, the interior of the place was nice. It had a shower, a television, a DVD player with a library of movies, and other thoughtful amenities. During the daytime, the entire site looked appealing and offered plenty of outdoor features like a hot tub, picnic area, and pool. However, the main reason I'm giving this place three stars is due to cleanliness. The bed was dirty, and I even found a black, curly hair on my pillow. The headboard had a noticeable stain, and the sheets smelled unclean, which was disappointing. Lastly, both my wife and I felt uncomfortable during our stay. The atmosphere was heavy and gave off an unsettling vibe--not supernatural or ghostly, but enough to make us feel uneasy. We couldn't relax or sleep well and ended up leaving first thing in the morning.

An interesting place for sure. On airbnb, it was advertised as $86/night. After all the charges, it…read morewas $170/night for glamping - the bathroom was pretty far away for that much money and the sink was outside. There was one outlet in the wooden a-frame and no shades so you are up when the sun comes up. The pool is a doughboy and the glasses in the shared kitchen were plastic and scratched and looked dirty. At least there was coffee in the shared kitchen and MOST of the mugs looked clean. For what I paid, I was deeply disappointed, however, you can't be truthful on Airbnb or no one will accept your booking, so here it is. for a few shillings more, you can stay in a truly amazing place. The place comes with literally 30 pages of instructions. It was in a pretty location.