- Desert Center
The best camping near Desert Center with horseback riding
97% (205)
Top-rated campgrounds
97% (205)
Top-rated campgrounds
Public campgrounds near Desert Center
Stories from the community
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Gabriella
3 weeks ago
Tent
This oasis was a wonderful getaway from the city to enjoy the stars, the desert and the rain.
My friend and I stayed, got rained on pretty heavily in our tent & the host was very accomodating.
Even in the rain, there are plenty of common space to enjoy from the hot tub to the sauna. We were able to enjoy some sunshine as well between down pours.
I will definitely be back again!
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Nate
3 weeks ago
Tent
My friend and I had a great time here! Though the weather was bad (cold & rainy) the hot tub & sauna were amazing! We were able to cook food under shelter, play games, paint, etc and enjoy being outdoors while avoiding the rain. We spent majority of our time hanging out in the common areas and loved the hot tub in the rain!
The host was incredibly kind and accommodating.
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Lisa
November 2025
Weekend Trip to Joshua Tree Container Resort
We really enjoyed our one night stay at Steve’s “resort”. The space was very comfortable and private. Unfortunately, we weren’t there long enough to take advantage of the pool, hot tub, or sauna, but we did get a beautiful night of stargazing on the upper deck! And we loved his recommendation to eat at The Palms. We highly recommend his place.
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Rikart
October 2025
Tent
Group trip
We really enjoyed the solitude and beauty of this camp.
It was a fun drive (in the 4W).
We were there in Oct and at dusk a lot of flies appeared, but after 40 min they kind of all died of somehow.
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William
October 2025
Tent
The property was beautiful to camp on especially at night being able to look up at the stars! You are located right next to Joshua Tree National Park making it easy to visit throughout the day, but enjoy your nights around 29 Palms watching the stars. Definitely had a great stay at El Ranchito!
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Alex
October 2025
Tent
With kids
Steve was great hosting my family while I was out working my mom and daughter had fun swimming and exploring around the desert also had the opportunity to relax my self after work thank you
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Will
May 2025
Tent
With pets
A perfect desert escape under the stars
We had an incredible stay at this private campsite just outside Joshua Tree. The location was exactly what we were looking for—quiet, secluded, and surrounded by stunning desert scenery. At night, the starry sky was absolutely breathtaking—some of the best stargazing we’ve experienced in a long time.
The site felt very safe and private, giving us a true sense of peace and solitude. Benjamin was a fantastic host and provided clear, detailed directions that made finding the site easy. We appreciated the care and thoughtfulness that went into the experience from start to finish.
Highly recommend this spot for anyone looking to disconnect and enjoy the beauty of the desert.
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Mike
May 2025
Tent
This was my second visit to el ranchito and I’ll be back many times. Steve has created a beautiful oasis in the desert and takes care to make certain everyone is respectful of each other and the land.
Both of my kids came with me this time and they felt the same way. We slept on hammocks and the party that was going on next to us noticed we were going to bed and immediately wound down.
That doesn’t happen at every hip camp or campground one goes to.
The facilities are amazing… Like a spa in the middle of nowhere. The best part is that there is no pretentiousness that comes with typical southern California spas and resorts. Anyone and everyone would feel at home here, whether you’re looking for a wilderness experience or posh glamping.
It is priceless to be able to soak in a hot tub and sauna under pristine skies at night after climbing all day at Joshua tree. Sublime.
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Garrett
April 2025
Tent
Our stay was incredible! We stayed on the camp sites. The area is well equipped with an amazing jacuzzi, pool, sauna, bathrooms, and showers. There is a drive-in movie just a few minutes away that I would recommend checking out after a day of hiking/climbing in Joshua Tree.
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Christina
April 2025
20 ft campervan
Perfect for a quick stay in a small campervan. Host had great communication. Location had power available to charge up devices. Full bathroom in a small out building. Reviews of dirty bathroom are accurate, however, this bathroom is located on a working horse facility. It is used by workers and visitors in addition to campers. The location is dusty and windy, so the cleanliness of the bathroom is to be expected. There are paper towels, cleaning spray, and a broom. I took 5 minutes to sweep and wipe down the sink and toilet for my own use. I would consider giving this bathroom 5 stars if comparing to a vault toilet at a campground. Having warm water to wash my hands and face felt like a luxury. Bring shower shoes and expect farm conditions. Never smelled the horses and it was nice to hear and see them while having breakfast. Safe for solo travelers. Would stay again if visiting the area.
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Jeremy
April 2025
Tent
Great spot for a night of peaceful camping in the desert. Host was friendly and the hot tub was a nice amenity.
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Hillary
April 2025
Tent
The space was expansive and we really enjoyed the hot tub and sauna every day after hiking. The manager was quick to respond to our messages and had great recs for hikes and dinner spots. Our only negative was the wind. Because it's so open there is nothing to break the wind near the tent sites. Some small windbreaks with rebar and railroad ties could vastly improve the sites so tents were less affected.
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Louisa
March 2025
25 ft Class C
We loved camping on the Ranch! There's nothing better than sleeping right next to horses and watching the sunrise with this unbelievable view. We are definitely coming back to this place!
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Bradlee
January 2025
24 ft Class B
Beautiful location and welcoming host! I loved watching the sunset behind the mountains and meeting all the horses. Very peaceful stay
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Tracy
December 2024
With kids
Beautiful and peaceful. Clean lodge with great amenities. Traveled with my 8 year old daughter and her friend, my mom and I and I felt safe. We enjoyed ourselves. Our neighbors were nice as well. Thank you to our host for a great experience.
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marine
November 2024
With kids
Nice view, very quiet and host very friendly.
Good time away from the city crowd.
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Chris
November 2024
20 ft campervan
Bee Land was an amazing experience and the perfect place to check out and enjoy some solitude. The location is beautiful and open with plenty of places to explore in the immediate area or a short drive away.
Sara was an incredibly gracious and responsive host who knows the area very well. She was helpful with directions and even suggested places to check out while I was there.
I would highly recommend Bee Land for anyone who wants to enjoy a super easy and remote getaway.
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Anthony
November 2024
Tent
Group trip
Me and my 3 friends tent camped here and it was awesome! The stars are so clear out there and there are plenty of mountains to climb. As the description says, a 4x4 vehicle is definitely required as there are 2 pretty steep hills that a normal car couldn’t handle. The fire pit is very large, and it even has an elevated platform that can swivel over the fire so you can place a pan and cook things. There was no outhouse but it wasn’t much of a problem because there’s a gas station about 15-20 minutes away. Overall, such a cool place and would definitely go back.
See moreMike
November 2024
Tent
With kids
Steve has created an absolute destination in the container resort. I’m certain the containers would be spectacular as a lodging option, but camping under the stars with coyotes lullabying my daughter and I to sleep was priceless! Steve was awesome, letting us sleep in the hammocks with a star viewing cutout, and was helpful at every turn. The place s immaculate in its design, and the amenities (hot tubs, saunas, and *epic view* showers ) were like an oasis of old in the desert. Steve went above and beyond as a host and we will *definitely* be back soon💜
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