Published on April 30, 2023 | Modified on May 23, 2023
We have returned from our cross country road trip, which included a stop at one of the most Instagram friendly AutoCamp locations in the AutoCamp lineup. We’re happy to share our official AutoCamp Joshua Tree Review!
Review of Camp Site Locations
AutoCamp Joshua Tree Review of Camp Site Locations is now online! Be sure to read about – and see – every campsite within AutoCamp Joshua Tree before you book your trip!
AutoCamp Joshua Tree Review -Layout, Location, Vibe, Events
Layout
The layout of the Joshua Tree property follows the basic format of the parking area being at the front of the property and the campsites all being behind the clubhouse.
AutoCamp Joshua Tree was built on an empty lot. Most other AutoCamp locations were campgrounds that were bought out. This location is convenient – but very exposed in several ways.
First, it’s right along Twenty Nine Palms Highway, as you can see below. They kept the area in the red dashed section empty. That may have been a code issue or it was an attempt to insulate the campers from the sound of the roadway.
Second, because it truly is the desert, there are no large trees or shrubs offering any privacy at all.
Check out this image:
Location
The location is very near the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. As opposed to AutoCamp Yosemite, which is actually an hour away from Yosemite National Park, this is a convenient location for those who are visiting Joshua Tree National Park.
Palm Springs is about an hour away. However, while fun for a day trip, most people will just want to stay in Palm Springs for a few days rather than make a day trip.
However, there is really nothing much else in the immediate area of note. Sure, we had fun visiting Pioneertown. That is an old town that is often used as a movie set for old Westerns. It’s cool for a half hour walk-around and a bite to eat at Pappy and Harriet’s, but that’s about it. So, unless you’re really into hiking – without a dog – in Joshua Tree National Park, there is really not much else to do here but relax. We’ll talk about that next.
Vibe
The vibe is pretty non-existent. The clubhouse is absolutely tiny compared to other Joshua Tree locations. While AutoCamp Russian River is smaller, it’s got a much better feel to it with the open walls and camp-like feel. AutoCamp Joshua Tree sort of feels like it was plopped in the desert. It was.
Have a look at the clubhouse:
We were there during a horrible wind storm. We wanted to hang out with our friends in the clubhouse, but there was no room. This clubhouse is far too small for a property this size.
As you’ll see in the video, they have terrific outdoor space, which, since it’s the desert, is understandable. The pool is fantastic! It was very chilly out, but the pool was heated to 86 degrees. However, if you are there in very cold or windy weather, you’ll all be hanging out in your very small campers or suites, not the clubhouse.
Have a look around the property. It does photograph ]well:
Events
There were no events while we were there. This was the weakest of all the AutoCamp locations we went to. Fortunately, we went to Joshua Tree before we went to Russian River, where the vibe and events were fantastic.
Dog Friendly Travel
As is the case with all the AutoCamp locations, AutoCamp Joshua Tree is dog friendly. You pay $75 per stay. Your dog will be allowed in the clubhouse and on the grounds. They’ll provide you a welcome for your dog with a bowl, treats, and a blanket for your pup’s use. There is nice walking around in that red box, above.
However, do note that Joshua Tree National Park is not very dog friendly.
Given how popular the AutoCamp Joshua Tree property is, we will do a separate blog post on what to do with your dog at Joshua Tree in the upcoming weeks.
Areas for Improvement
Some of Joshua Tree’s weaknesses really can’t be fixed:
- other than the national park, there’s really nothing in the area
- the clubhouse is far too small when the weather is bad and you’re with a group of people looking for a space to hang out
- there will never be mature vegetation because it’s in the desert
- it’s on a major roadway…and you can’t move the road or the campground
But some can, and some of these are significant:
- The person on the desk was also trying to do the food. Either someone called out sick, or you’re understaffed.
- Ran out of breakfast food for purchase in the clubhouse.
- The refrigerator and freezer in the clubhouse were disturbingly empty – no grillable items.
- Missing cable for lantern – couldn’t turn it off. It eventually died.
- Missing robes.
- Porch light broken. Called twice to get it fixed. (The person who fixed it was very nice.)
This is quite a bit for a 2 night stay.
AutoCamp Joshua Tree Review
We’re going to buck the Instagram tide here and say of the four AutoCamp locations we have visited so far – Cape Cod, Catskills, Joshua Tree, and Russian River (in that order) – Joshua Tree is our least favorite.
Yes, they have some significant staffing and supply problems, which can be fixed. What can’t be fixed is that there is really not much to do in this area, and that they’ll never have privacy between campsites from vegetation.
Set your expectations. It’s a very fun place to go and just hang out after seeing the park. Sit by the pool if you’re lucky enough not to have 40 mph winds like we did! Cook over a fire, like we did (we ate indoors). Read a book by the fire pit. It all depends on what you’re looking for – things to do vs. hanging out. We do enjoy both, but at Joshua Tree, we were looking for more to do.
Want to know when new articles are published?
We won’t bomb your inbox!
If you enjoy reading about Airstreams and AutoCamp, please sign up for our mailing list if you want to receive an occasional article on what I’m reviewing at AutoCamp. I do not rent/sell/trade or spam with the mailing list. There will be few emails, and all of them on the topic of AutoCamp Reviews!
