AutoCamp Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree National Park, restaurants, and a market are all just minutes away, so the location worked great. I’d happily stay at AutoCamp Joshua Tree again. The Airstream was comfortable and practical, with a very comfortable bed, a private-feeling outdoor area, and a bathroom with a good setup and plenty of hot water. The property also felt safe and secure. Cooking a frozen pizza in a cast iron skillet over the campfire and eating outside beneath the desert sky was a favorite part of the stay. The lobby and common area had waters and juices, along with wine and cocktails in the evening. The whole atmosphere felt cool and laid-back from check-in. A note on the AC: it kept the Airstream very cold in the desert heat, but it’s noisy. The temperature dropped a lot overnight, so I switched it off and slept with the windows open. If you need it running all night, earplugs might help. I’d definitely recommend the place.

Getting back and forth to the park was easy, about a 30-minute drive. In the morning, they had complimentary coffee and tea, and bikes were available to use. We also found paper towels, toilet paper, and bath towels in the Airstream, with extra supplies available when needed. The front desk is staffed around the clock, which was helpful when we arrived late. Our unit was clean and had comfortable space for our family of four or five, kids included. A grill, cooking utensils, and a cast-iron pan were provided, though you’ll need to bring charcoal. We ordered supplies through Walmart delivery, which made things simple. I’d stay here again.

The silver Airstreams look striking against the muted desert landscape, and the renovated interiors were interesting to see. At a price closer to $100-150 a night, I’d give the place five stars for its unusual concept and convenient location near Joshua Tree National Park. At more than $500 a night over the holidays, though, it was a two-star stay for me. There wasn’t much in the way of amenities for that price: no hot tub, sauna, restaurant, or playground, and the outdoor pool was only barely heated to 80 degrees. I also couldn’t tell what made our unit “premium.” They charged extra for every little thing, including early check-in and late checkout, which meant any time after 10 AM. The advertised complimentary breakfast was just cereal with cow milk, so anyone who can’t tolerate lactose is out of luck. The Airstream’s heating and cooling setup was complicated. Its loud fan kept switching on and off and woke us much of the night, and we couldn’t turn it off without shutting off the heat. We also found the dead bodies of a number of flying insects inside the RV.

Saturday’s live band was a lot of fun. We sat by the fireplace with hot cocoa and listened to some really good music. The staff kept the place clean and organized, and everyone on the AutoCamp crew was great. Victoria at the front desk made us feel at home. She was patient and kind with the kids, helping them feel comfortable and special. The location is central, with quick access to town and the Park. AutoCamp is dog friendly, and the dogs we saw were friendly too. We’ll definitely be back!