Thermal

Hike desert trails and visit outdoor art installations when camping near Thermal.

Find & reserve the best beach, lake, and river, stream, or creek campsites near Thermal, California. Tent, cabin & RV camp on private & State Parks, on local farms, vineyards & nature preserves.

The best waterside campgrounds near Thermal, California

Best tent camping near me

Best RV camping near me

Best glamping near me

San Diego, CA campsites

Idyllwild, CA campsites

Carlsbad, CA campsites

Julian, CA campsites

Pismo Beach, CA campsites

Sedona, AZ campsites

Flagstaff, AZ campsites

Santa Barbara, CA campsites

RV sites

Cabin rentals

Glamping sites

Desert camping

Dog-friendly camping

Private sites camping

Family-friendly glamping sites

Joshua Tree National Park campsites

San Bernardino National Forest campsites

Cleveland National Forest campsites

Mojave National Preserve campsites

Angeles National Forest campsites

Death Valley National Park campsites

Channel Islands National Park campsites

Los Padres National Forest campsites

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park campsites

Palomar Mountain State Park campsites

Doheny State Beach campsites

San Onofre State Beach campsites

South Carlsbad State Beach campsites

Crystal Cove State Park campsites

San Clemente State Beach campsites

Bolsa Chica State Beach campsites

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

Joshua Tree Private Campsite

One mile from Joshua Tree National Park southern entrance. Beautiful desert landscape nestled in by mountains. Private serene and spiritual land. Come get enlightened. 

Electricity Hookup

Showers

Water Hookup

Hot Tub

Wifi

DragonflyHill Desert Farm

About

Welcome to DragonflyHill Desert Farm & Wildlife Habitat where you can experience desert magic, starry skies, and natural mineral water from our private well. Remote enough for a quiet retreat yet easy to get to and only a short drive to amenities and outdoor adventures!   Please review our rules and read our entire listing description prior to requesting to stay here, to assure we’re the right space for you. Copies of our rules, registration documents, liability waiver and amenities are provided in our photos. Guests must agree to adhere to our rules and honor our cancellation policy to book with us. If you have any questions, please make an inquiry and we will get back to you very quickly. We really do love this work.

LOCATION:

We are located one mile down a well maintained and navigable dirt road, 20 minutes to Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and Palm Desert, and 15 minutes to the 10 freeway.  We're near the Cabazon outlets, 2 hours to Los Angeles, San Diego, Disneyland, mountain areas, and  beaches. Nearby there are local wildlife preserves, hiking and outdoor activities. We are 45 minutes to Joshua Tree and a half hour to Coachella. We truly are in the middle of nowhere and the center of everything. For folks traveling in winter, we’re considerably warmer than Joshua Tree and the High Desert.  In summer we are cooler than Palm Springs. Immediate neighbors are small farmers and ranchers. Local spas and resorts are available for day use and access to their pools and ponds for as little as $10 a day ($5 seniors). We can provide space for events and entertainment for a small fee.  

ARRIVAL:

Upon approving your reservation we'll send you a welcome message with information we need prior to your arrival to process your reservation, prepare for your arrival and provide you with check in information and accurate directions as gps apps to our location are often wrong.  Please answer that initial email as soon as possible. 

 We'll follow up with check in information and driving directions. 

Once in the gate, stay on the driveway and meet us on the patio with the blue shade sails.  We will provide you with an approximately 15 minute orientation and tour,  register you, check identification and show you to your campsite. Guests are required to fill out a liability waiver and a simple registration form. (See photos for copies of these forms.) 

OUR SPACE:

Our land is 130 feet wide by an eighth of a mile deep in a residential neighborhood with lots 2.5-10 acres. We can see and hear our neighbors.

We maintain a very quiet space but occasionally our neighbors have their own activities and events. Let us know if the neighborhood gets too noisy and we'll try to mitigate those situations. We can also provide free earplugs for those very rare occasions. Guests wanting a totally isolated experience may want to book elsewhere. 

DragonflyHill Desert  Farm is a working farm in a wilderness area. Guests should check weather forecasts prior to arrival and assure that they have the right equipment. We have a moderate cancellation policy that allows guests to cancel 3 days prior to their arrival date to receive a refund.  This allows enough time to check weather reports.  There are occasional heavy rains and frequent high winds. It can get very hot in summer and reach freezing temperatures in winter. Despite our proximity to the freeway and nearby cities, and our location in a residential neighborhood, this is very much a wilderness area. DragonflyHill is not responsible for the weather. 

We are not a resort. Expect dry plants and patches during summer and into the fall. As a farm, we may be a bit more rustic than your typical farm to allow for shelter for local wildlife. Our cultivation methods encourage biodiversity and though we are growing food, many of our crops resemble landscaping or natural habitat rather than garden patches. Currently we have habitat viewing areas, an herb garden, an orchard, an outdoor classroom, a sheltered social distancing patio, an outdoor kitchen, meditation gardens, our (seasonal) mineral pool, community library, game boards and toys, and a tree bath. Plant varieties, wildlife and presentation may vary by season. Our farm specializes in herbs, fruit trees, desert and native plants, and edible flowers. We also grow some sprouts and microgreens indoors. We cultivate community and share what we grow with our neighbors and our guests. Guests have shared access to the outdoor kitchen and BBQ area, the orchards, gardens, patios, and grounds of the Desert Farm and Wildlife Habitat, and (for safety reasons) limited access to the pool pond and spa -both unheated. The pool pond is filled with local mineral water from our own well. The pool pond is cleaned regularly & is chlorinated. The pool pond is not cleaned daily and is shared with wildlife.  including bees and birds who drink water pool side. Debris from high winds and wildlife may contribute to the pool pond environment. Currently neither the pool pond nor the spa is heated. We also have wheelchair accessible hot water outdoor showers and wheelchair accessible porta potties. 

The pool area is accessible to guests year round but the pool itself is winterized and unavailable from mid October through mid to late April. 

We work hard to keep the home well maintained &  clean; we're vigilant & do due diligence with professional quarterly visits from Truly Nolen 4 Season Pest Prevention (a green company.) We doubt you'll see any unwanted critters inside or near the house or other structures during your stay, but if you do, please advise us &  we will promptly address the situation. DragonflyHill Desert Farm and Wildlife Habitat is in a remote area of the desert with lots of wildlife. To help us keep wildlife OUT of the house and campsites, please keep food out of reach of critters & clean up after every meal.

We affirmatively welcome children, but as this is a working farm in a wilderness area, parents will need to be vigilant of their child's safety and activity while here. We are constantly adding activities and features for children and adults. 

We are child friendly and we are a good location for groups. (Just message us with your details and we can tailor your stay to meet your needs.) 

We have 1 cat and 1 service dog. Other guests may have pets or assistance animals.  Neighbors have chickens, farm animals and pets. There are a few feral cats in the vicinity as well as a variety of desert wildlife. At night you can hear the coyotes though we’ve never seen them or their tracks on our land. Common sightings of road runners, rabbits, hares, lizards, snakes, hawks, doves, desert wrens, migrating ducks (in the Spring), scorpions, mantises, crickets, mockingbirds, insects and spiders.  

WHO WE ARE:

DragonflyHill is a community of artisans, activists, craftspeople and farmers, working together to cultivate community, develop methodologies for living and working together in ever increasing paradigms of social justice and sustainability. We are a safe and sober space that is disability and LGBTQIA affirmative, anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-imperialist and de-colonialist, because anything else is just a bandaid. Core values of our work include attention to detail, fine craftwork and cultivating community. 

Some members of the Dragonfly Team live on the premises at all times and will be here for the duration of your stay. The rest of the team are community members. All Team members work at DragonflyHill Desert Farm and Wildlife Habitat in different capacities, in cooperation and collaboration with each other.  It should be noted that we are not a museum community and our collective is not on display. Only 2-3 members of the community are currently responsible for hosting guests. Community members are autonomous and, much of our community functions virtually. There are also occasional community events at the farm, including farming, though many activities are just coming back after the pandemic. We hope to offer activities in the Fall. All activities will continue to be held outdoors and social distancing is required. 

We speak: English and Spanish. We can communicate somewhat in French, Italian and Portuguese.

DRAGONFLYHILL CONSEIRGE

We love to hear about your travels and share our knowledge of our community and Southern California with our guests. Our library, located on the Blue Patio, offers children’s books, local history including indigenous history, farming and gardening, wildlife guides, hiking trails, entertainment and tourist attractions. We can recommend activities on and off site including places to go with children, local hiking, museums, restaurants and shopping.   

In addition to campsites, for additional fees,  we offer reiki, a private jacuzzi hot water mineral bath, farm tours, firewood, tutoring, tax preparation, vehicle storage, event and space rental, and classes. Three of us are licensed to officiate weddings.  

RULES, DOCUMENTS & AMENITIES

Carefully read our listing description and our rules to determine if we're the right space for you. We know we have excellent reviews but take the time to assure that we offer what you are looking for.  Each Hipcamp host is autonomous and has their own rules, amenities and features.  Hipcamp does not provide guests a copy of the house rules until after you have selected a location and then requires you to agree to the house rules before finalizing your decision. There is not enough space in the listing description to include the rules so guests can see them prior to booking. If you would like to see our rules, registration documents or a list of amenities please find them in our photos or  message us prior to booking and we will send you a copy.

We welcome guests new to Hipcamp but please take the time to familiarize yourself with the Hipcamp platform. Hipcamp travel is very different from public campgrounds. At DragonflyHill Desert Farm and Wildlife Habitat you will be guests in our home. We welcome and encourage guests with service and support animals to stay with us.  All animals must have current vaccination records.

The view from our land. Windmills on the nearby surrounding hills. (It gets windy here.)

Campers have a choice of several campsites.

The Vardo has its own outdoor patio, private gated garden, fire pit and parking space. 

Good morning. The view from the front patio early in the day. Desert landscape, distant hills and mountains, wildlife, mesquite trees.

Vardo Caravan and fenced in private patio. 

Relaxing Hide Away

Learn more about this land:Come relax and stargaze away from the city lights,  this property sits on over 10 acres of desert landscape. Short drive from Los Angeles and San Diego. 

Cooking equipment

Whitewater Cabin: Desert Retreat

Featured on the Discovery Plus Magnolia network, this architectural marvel is a magical retreat set amid the beautiful Whitewater nature preserve. Massive hand-carved cedar timbers form a bucolic A-frame exterior, while thoughtful, luxurious décor presents an ideal atmosphere for romance…or simply escaping the hustle and bustle. And adventure is never far. Explore Whitewater Preserve, enjoy a desert hike, plunge into the oasis pool and then settle in for some truly remarkable stargazing.

The only A-frame log cabin in the California Desert, Whitewater Cabin boasts 18-inch, hand–carved cedar timbers imported from the mountains of British Columbia. Its open concept design with warm interiors, comfortable furnishings and expansive windows that flood the space with natural light make this the perfect mountain getaway.

Whitewater Cabin is located in Whitewater, CA just 10 miles northwest of Palm Springs, 45 minutes from Joshua Tree and two hours east of Los Angeles. Whitewater is a local secret: a small, hidden town you might just miss, despite being right off the 10 Freeway. Once there, however, you will find the area full of magic.

Sitting on five unexpectedly lush acres and surrounded by BLM land, Whitewater Cabin features an ever running stream that runs right next to the Cabin. This stream, fed by water from the San Gorgonio Mountains, creates a verdant oasis full of hiking trails that begs for exploration. Drive just 6 minutes from the Cabin’s door and you will find yourself in the Whitewater Preserve, a gateway to the San Gorgonio Wilderness Backcountry. Whitewater is the historic Native American Cahuilla Indian village formerly named Wanapiapa (Place of Water).

You can simultaneously relax, brush up on your photography, study some of the rare birds in the nearby oasis as well as explore the diverse nature at your doorstep. And if you’re a nature lover who also loves style, shop the likes of Gucci, Tom Ford, YSL, Alexander McQueen and more at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets, a mere 15 minute drive away.

All hail the king of glamping. Welcome to Whitewater Cabin.

Amenities:

·      Secluded location at the Whitewater nature preserve

·     Made from 300 year old Canadian timbers

·     2 story A-frame with sweeping views

·     Romantic King sized canopy bed

·     Large bathroom with clawfoot tub

·     Expansive Deck to take in the views

·     Cozy 2 person cedar hot tub

·     Outdoor gas fireplace

·     Outdoor gas fireplace

·     Cowboy tub with adjacent 2-person hammock

·     Hiking trails starting on property leading to flowing streams 

At Whitewater Cabin, not only will you be able to access our stunning, remote 5 acre property but also the surrounding area. Our property borders BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Land which is open to further walk along the stream and explore.

WI-FI 

Whitewater Cabin is in a stunningly remote location.  Until recently, it was impossible to obtain any internet access at all.  Thanks to Starlink, we now have fast satellite internet on site. Please note that it is normal for the system to drop out for periods of 30 seconds up to 2 minutes at a time since this is early stage technology. 

STRONG WINDS 

The winds in the desert are very strong between February and June which may limit your enjoyment of the outdoor amenities. We do all we can to navigate around the winds but cannot control the impact it may have on your stay.

POWER OUTAGES

The power is cut off for 8-12 hours at least twice a year by the electrical company in order for maintenance to be done (for instance in preparation for the fire seasons). We inform our guests of outages as soon as we are made aware but cannot control the time or manner in which this may impact your stay.

REFUNDS 

Should any inconveniences such as those listed above or anything else beyond our control affect your stay, we will not provide refunds. Please understand certain things simply come with the windy, rural, desert location. Thank for understanding!

PETS

There is a one time, non-refundable pet fee of $80 per pet and no more than 2 dogs are allowed. We kindly request that any pets accompanying your reservation be specified under the "Extras" section. Failure to include this information will result in the pet fee being deducted from your deposit. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

REQUIREMENTS

Upon booking, you will receive a link with a request to sign and agree to our house rules, verify your identity, pay our refundable security deposit, and schedule a phone call with our manager. Please note that these steps are required for all guests. All steps must be complete in full prior to check-in.

Vista Del Mar

Learn more about this land:READ ALL (SOFT GROUND!!!) 1/2 acre flat desert primitive campground with soft course sand and rocks in Salton City.  Nearby attractions are Salton Sea Beach, Coachella, Palm Springs, Anza Borrego (International Dark Sky Park), J-Tree, Slab City, Bombay Beach, and the off-roading Mecca of Ocotillo Wells OHV. Walking distance to Johnson’s Landing Cafe and the powered para-glider glide port in Salton City. 1 mile to fuel and eateries.  Perfect for those accessing Truck Haven and Tierra Del Sol, and other off-road events. No shade provided on property. Nearest neibor is 1/4 mile away. Keep an eye on your pets, as there may be predators and stray dogs in the area. 

SOFT GROUND, if unaccustomed to driving on sand, save yourself a recovery and park on the street. AWD does not mean you won’t get stuck. Otherwise, use 4 wheel drive if on the property, minimum 8” ground clearance for rocks, alley access is recommended.  Air down tires for traction (aggressive tread recommended) and do not enter from Sea Wind Ave to avoid sinking. Otherwise, street parking okay to prevent unnecessary vehicle recovery. All proceeds go to organizations with efforts in saving the Salton Sea, local wildlife habitats, and preserving bird sanctuaries.

NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEFT, PETS, BELONGINGS, VEHICLE DAMAGE or INJURIES.

Congrats to you though, camping here donates $$$ to organizations with efforts in wildlife refuges, preserving bird sanctuaries, and migration routes. Such as Ducks Unlimited, the Audubon Society, and the Nature Conservancy. See patches, stickers, and certificate in the photos representing the $$ donated out of proceeds from campers like you :)

The best waterside camping near Thermal

Popular Thermal, CA trips

Top national parks and forests near Thermal, CA

Top state and regional parks near Thermal, CA

Top cities near Thermal, CA

Best camping near me