- Desert Shores
The best river, stream, or creek glamping near Desert Shores
98% (320)
Top-rated campgrounds
98% (320)
Top-rated campgrounds
Stories from the community
Alvaro
October 2025
With kids
We loved spending a weekend at the cabin, with the highlight being lying down on the wood benches by the campfire and look at the stars.
The cabin is well equipped with bed pillows a land and a battery to keep your tech things charged up !
Kitchen has cooking items and the bbq makes it easy to cook. Bathroom with hot water and bio toilets are very well thought.
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Madison
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Svatantria Boutique Retreat
Me and my partner had a lovely stay at Hellya cabin! We loved this spot especially for its view and quiet atmosphere. Parking was very close and we had a good distance from the other cabins.
Keep in mind there are no heaters in this cabin but the building retained heat well at night and was cool during the day.
Stuart and Janel’s dogs greeted us as we drove up and after a few barks they greeted us with snuggles! They were great company on our weekend trip.
Thank you Stuart and Janel for letting us enjoy your land!
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Jenna
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Serene forest privacy for 4WD
We had the pleasure of renting both the Creekside Container Cabin and the Canvas Tent during our stay, and it was such an amazing experience! The Creekside Container Cabin was perfect for those moments when we wanted a bit more comfort and structure. The beautifully handcrafted furniture added such a charming and personal touch to the space, and the big picture window allowed us to soak in the gorgeous surroundings from the cozy indoors. Having a sink with gravity-operated water and the nearby composting toilet was convenient, and the large patio with bar seating became our favorite spot to relax with a morning coffee. The fact that bedding and basic kitchen supplies were provided made our stay even easier. The cabin has a thoughtful design and provides an ideal "glamping" experience – not overly fancy, but still comfortable and immersive in nature.
What made our trip even better was being able to pair this cabin with the Canvas Tent, giving us options to enjoy both a cozy indoor space and a more rugged camping experience for our group. Both sites are close enough to offer the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, all within minutes of downtown Idyllwild. The hosts were incredibly accommodating, and their warm hospitality made everything even better. We highly recommend this rental – or better yet, rent both and enjoy the best of both worlds like we did!
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Eric
October 2025
2 nights at Svatantria Boutique Retreat
Location is beautiful, and the hosts have done so much work to make the property attractive and restful. The cabin was perfect for us, but others should know that the structures are very rustic and basic. The bedding and mattress were nice. People should prepare for a more camping-like experience and they will be happy.
The kitchen and bathroom would be more useable with a few tweaks, which we will let the hosts know about. Definitely bring flashlights and possibly even your own camp stove if you want to be able to easily boil water. The hike to the cabin really is 5 minutes or less, and you should plan to carry your things over to it. The solar wasn’t functioning at the time of our visit, so we got by with battery packs charged at the house, which is a compromise for the mini-fridge since it can only power it for a little less than 24 hrs.
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Christy
October 2025
Group trip
We wanted to take our grand babies who are 2 and 9 months on a trial run to see how they liked it and this was the most amazing place to do that trial run. There was a total of 5 adults and 2 little ones and we had so much room to spread out and get comfy. The bathrooms were a little far of a walk for a toddler who potty trained recently but other than that the site had everything we needed and then some. Anything we weren’t sure of and Shantel was right on it helping us out. The first night we caught 46+mile an hour winds dropping the temps into the 30’s but we turned the propane heaters on and hunkered down in the yurts and were just fine. The tree hammocks were a hit for naps and playing with babies. Lots of chairs around the fire and kitchen supplies. We plan to make this a yearly tradition with our family. So pack your clothes and food and head up! Unplug from life and make some memories.
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ANDREA
October 2025
2 nights at Svatantria Boutique Retreat
It was so nice and relaxing to be in this space. I stayed in the cabin, Inyaha, and it perfectly suited my needs. There’s another nearby cabin, but it was unoccupied while I was there, so no kids playing in the playground (no shade!)… I was able to cook yummy meals on my stove, and relax amongst the mountain. I’d highly recommend to anyone seeking rest & relaxation.
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Alexandria
September 2025
3 nights at Svatantria Boutique Retreat
We highly recommend this beautiful site! We had a wonderful long weekend enjoying the cabin/site and Julian area. Our hosts made us feel so welcome and answered all our questions along the way.
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Shannon
September 2025
Weekend Trip to Svatantria Boutique Retreat
Beautiful property! Very quiet and relaxing. It is less than 10 min from Julian but felt like you were 100 miles away from any city. Our cabin did not have a kitchen (which I knew) so we brought our Coleman stove. It was perfect. I would definitely go back!
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Bailey
August 2025
Weekend Trip to Svatantria Boutique Retreat
My stay here was peaceful! The cabin had everything I needed and surprisingly stayed cool despite the warmer temperatures outside. The property owners dogs were so cute and friendly as well. Overall I would stay again.
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Chelsea
August 2025
With kids
This campground was incredible. Every little detail was thought out, the host was so kind and welcoming, and the tents and hammocks were top notch. I HIGHLY recommend staying here, especially if you have kids. We will definitely be staying here again.
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Randy
August 2025
With kids
We were a group of 12 and we loved the campsite. Shantel showed us the site and she was a nice host.
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rileyxmccarthy
August 2025
Weekend Trip to Serene forest privacy for 4WD
This spot is very private! Great spot for star gazing and exploring along the mountain side. Perfect for dogs to roam off leash (with supervision, the owner warned of occasional mountain lions). We went in August and the day was very hot but the evenings were very pleasant. The trail going up to the location is short but DEFINITELY requires 4WD. The campsite had everything you need and the owners were very responsive and even came out to guide us in to the spot. We for sure will be coming back again!
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iola
August 2025
2 nights at Svatantria Boutique Retreat
I went to unplug, to reset and be under the stars and in nature. This place hit the sweet spot. Highly satisfied. Highly recommend much gratitude ⭐️
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Ky
July 2025
Group trip
Great spot and it was very nice having so many things already set up for you, Shantel checked in on us thru text and we just had to bring our clothes, food, firewood/ice. Some tips for future peeps, showers are near the front of the campground and you need at least 4-7 quarters each time, bring a headlamp the restroom takes a few minutes to walk to, grab some apple from Julian about ~30 min away, but pack up your food so the squirrels don’t get to it while you’re gone. Happy camping! :3
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Noela
July 2025
Group trip
We had such a great experience at this campsite! 🏕️ It truly has everything you need — it's clean, well-organized, and thoughtfully set up to make your stay super comfortable. We especially appreciated the little details like the hammocks 🌿🛌 — perfect for relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
The private hiking trail on the property was absolutely beautiful 🥾🌄 — it felt like our own little adventure without having to leave the site. We also loved how easy it was to access the bathrooms and hot showers 🚿🚻. Everything was spotless and well-maintained, which made a big difference.
If you're looking for a quiet, cozy spot with great amenities and natural beauty ✨🌲, this is the place. We would definitely come back! 🙌💚
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Abhishek
May 2025
With kids
The entire camp site setup and the facilities were great. The site was beautifully set up—spacious, clean, and thoughtfully designed. The tent was cozy and well-equipped, with a comfy bed, warm blankets, and even string lights that made the nights feel magical. We had a private fire pit, a sitting area for stargazing, and enough privacy to feel like we had the forest to ourselves.
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Lorena
May 2025
Weekend Trip to Svatantria Boutique Retreat
We had an amazing time at the Shakti cabin. It had everything we needed: small outdoor kitchen area, grill, deck, fire pit, bathroom with a hot shower. It is also in a great location; about 5 mins away from downtown Julian but far enough away to feel like you are in a remote mountain side.
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Chase
May 2025
With kids
Another fabulous stay at Shantel’s glamping oasis! Our whole family truly enjoyed the Fox Den and plan to return again and again 🙌
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Andrew
April 2025
2 nights at Svatantria Boutique Retreat
Beautiful property and very cute small cabins! The hosts (including the dogs) were very welcoming and helpful.
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Hemanth
March 2025
With kids
We had an amazing glamping experience for two nights with our kids (ages 15 and 11) and our small puppy. Shantel greeted us warmly upon arrival, ensuring we were settled in and had everything we needed. The tents and beds were incredibly comfortable, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The heaters were a lifesaver, especially with the chilly late March nights.
The kitchen was well-equipped with all the essential amenities, making meal preparation a breeze. Our kids loved the hammocks and tree tents, and thoroughly enjoyed the nearby hikes recommended by Shantel. The evening campfire was truly magical, with the hosts generously providing firewood to get us started.
We can't wait to return with a larger group of family and friends!
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