High Desert Protocol

Tao was welcoming, the compound is extraordinary, and the pool is a work of Art. We loved it.

John M.

11 reviews

Recommends

· May 2025

19 ft travel trailer ·

Tao is such a great host! Really cool property with beautiful views. Would highly recommend.

Monica C.

2 reviews

Recommends

· May 2025

Tent ·

Tao and his spot were awesome! The place looks just like the pictures. The pool and hot tub are well maintained. Tao was very good at communicating the amenities and how to get there. This was the perfect weekend getaway! I would definitely stay again!

Allison G.

1 month on Hipcamp

Recommends

· April 2025

Birdwatching at High DesertProtocol

19 ft Class B ·

Tao has a lovely spot very close to Joshua Tree National Park. We stayed 2 nights. The day we stayed on the property we enjoyed bird watching and hiking up the mountain behind his place for spectacular views. We cooled off in the pool during the day and enjoyed stargazing in the hot tub at night. The road in is bumpy but fine if you are prepared. We came in late at night and originally missed our turn to the exact camp spot b/c the sign had blown down, but it was easy to turn around and figure it out via Google Earth imagery/Taos instructions. There are a few other airB&B's on the property and kitchen is communal. We were off grid so didn't utilize this but it was nice to fill up water bottles at the tap. A nice basecamp for anything in the surrounding area. Tao was very responsive via text.

Jessica K.

5 reviews

Mixed feelings

· April 2025

Broken Glass, Cold Tub, and More

Tent ·

Tao's spot has a lot of potential. My partner, our friend, and I stayed there recently and enjoyed ourselves, however we were EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED by some key thoughtless ways in which the space is poorly cared for. First of all, there is BROKEN GLASS scattered in the parking lot (an area he recommends folks set up a tent) and right next to the pool. There are also small sharp metal pieces, screws, nails, and bolts scattered around the property here and there. One of the bolts punctured one of my friends car tires that left us in a tricky spot. Tao could easily improve his space by CLEANING IT UP, for the safety of the paying human beings using his space. Additionally, the hot tub was a cold tub most of the time we were there and when one of the other folks staying there FaceTimed Tao to inquire about it, Tao commented that the hot tub likely wasn't working as it was low on refrigerant. His hot tub is a key draw for a lot of folks and all 20 of the other folks staying there felt more than a little conned into paying for staying there with a non-operational hot tub. There was also an overflowing bin of trash from all of the folks staying there. Tao didn't come to pick up any trash while we were there, and it seems he rarely shows up to the property to take the trash out, or care for the space at all. It makes me sad to leave this review, for with more care for the property and the people staying there, Tao's spot could be truly special. As it is now, it is vastly overpriced.

Danny M.

2 reviews

Recommends

· April 2025

March 2025

Absolutely amazing stay!! This place was a real gem. The hot tub and pool the under stars were something out of a dream. We loved the outdoor kitchen and double headed rain shower in the communal areas. We will absolutely be coming back. The trailer was great for out of town guests like up who didn't bring camping gear

Vaani G.

5 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· April 2025

Awesome experience!

16 ft car ·

Awesome spot that’s perfectly curated. Looking forward to visiting again!

Justin J.

4 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· April 2025

19 ft campervan · With kids ·

A literal oasis in the desert - one of the most unique pools and hot tubs I've encountered. The views were amazing, and the land there is really special.

Jonathan S.

4 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· April 2025

20 ft Class B ·

My RV site was fabulous! The amenities and the land are so beautiful. The hot tub and pool was rejuvenating. I really needed this serene quiet space, I so appreciated Tao’s artistic landscape gifts.

Heidi A.

3 months on Hipcamp

Mixed feelings

· March 2025

Tent ·

Tao was very communicative and is super nice. The pool and hot tub are great, especially at night. We camped and there aren’t necessarily designated spots. The two places he’s built look great to stay in!

Laura S.

4 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

16 ft car ·

This was my second stay here. I’ve enjoyed both times and love the property. I plan on returning again.

Brooke N.

5 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· March 2025

High Desert Protocol was amazing!

With pets ·

I loved staying on Tao's land. High Desert Protocol was so gorgeous, I couldn't believe the views when we pulled up. Definitely a drive up the dirt road! The hot tub, and swimming pool were amazing, and Tao was very helpful. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. The trailer was cozy and definitely an experience! So much glass and the views from inside at night with the moon were like I was on a different planet.

Robert H.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· March 2025

Tent ·

My sister and I had a great time tent camping on Tao’s land. The views were beautiful and the stargazing amazing. There was plenty of space to set up camp and we loved hiking the hill behind the property.

Heather S.

3 years on Hipcamp

Mixed feelings

· March 2025

Amazing spot, lukewarm hot tub

Tent ·

I loved the property and views but was a bit disappointed with the hot tub and the owners responsiveness. The hot tub was honestly the main draw and it never fully heated up during our stay. For the price this was a bit disappointing.

Tessa K.

4 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· February 2025

Absolutely incredible! Had such a magical time, cannot recommend this place enough, absolutely would stay again!!!

Alison T.

4 reviews

Recommends

· February 2025

Tent ·

Great place with fantastic views! Thank you for hosting us. We had an amazing time!

M. A.

4 months on Hipcamp

Mixed feelings

· February 2025

20 ft Class C ·

Pros: The atmosphere of this place is quite wonderful. The jacuzzi was amazing under the stars. The property is so aesthetically pleasing. Cons: The shower in the bathroom never got hot, Jacuzzi off in the morning, site was listed as full hook up but it wasn’t really. There wasn’t an open water supply, the Electric wasn’t RV compatible, it was a regular 20 volt which was ok we were fully sustained in our tiny RV. Overall I would give the experience a 8/10. It’s primitive and beautiful!

Jessica T.

3 reviews

Recommends

· February 2025

18 ft campervan · With pets ·

Wonderful overnight! The pool and hot tub were great!

Dan G.

17 reviews

Not recommend

· February 2025

A Disappointing experience

The main reason I love Joshua tree & surrounding area is the incredible views of the starry sky. Tao has so many lights in his property it is hard to enjoy the stars as they impede the view… I have stayed in this area a couple times & never been somewhere that has so many lights on at night (esp considering the light trespass ordinance) I was frustrated by this & I messaged Tao asking him if he could please shut off some of the brighter lights. His response was simply “sorry I can’t do that” This is absurd esp bc there weren’t other campers around so l don’t know why he refused to make the accommodation. Also, the “hot” tub was not hot, more like tepid…. This too was disappointing along with the very bright light in the hot tub obstructing the view of the stars. The shower in the trailer did not work either. When I said something to Tao he instructed me to go take a shower in the main house but clearly did not inform his house guests that he’d told me I could use the bathroom & there was an awkward interaction with them bc of this lack of communication. I ended up feeling very frustrated about the fact that I could neither see the stars well at night with all the lights and I also could not view the sunset or sunrise from the property. I also felt the host was rude and not at all accommodating. I don’t think this place was worth what I paid at all. I booked for 2 nights and I only stayed 1 night bc I was not enjoying it there… my most disappointing Hipcamp stay so far

Grace W.

7 reviews

Recommends

· February 2025

15 ft campervan ·

Being able to wake up and go to sleep to that view, and watch the sunsets from the hot tub was pretty magical.

Charles K.

3 reviews

Recommends

· February 2025

24 ft Class C · With pets ·

Very delightful! Enjoyed a soak under the stars. Happy we found this oasis in the desert.

Dan G.

17 reviews

Recommends

· February 2025

Good time!

Tent ·

We scheduled this spot for a very last minute tent camping trip. We didn't explore the upper levels of the property, but the staging area at the lower end of the property was a perfect spot to pitch the tent and spend the night. We would definitely come back.

Cody W.

4 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· February 2025

Gorgeous Desert Property 🌵

20 ft campervan ·

The property was really beautiful! We loved having the outdoor kitchen area where we were able to sit and get some work done throughout the day. We enjoyed the hot tub at sunset and the unheated pool was perfect for a cold plunge in between sessions in the hot tub. There are some great walking trails where we walked our dog. Overall we had an awesome experience and would totally recommend this spot!

Meghan D.

2 reviews

Recommends

· February 2025

Desert Oasis!

Tent · With pets ·

I want to thank Tao for the responsiveness as we settled into this beautiful desert hideaway. The property has everything you need! I was camping with a group of friends for my birthday and loved the amenities like the kitchen, studio, pool and hot tub! The desert landscape is definitely the main character and the sunsets here are just impeccable. Would highly recommend and go back!

Kim O.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· January 2025

Tent ·

I loved camping by the pool and waking up next to the mountains, also the jacuzzi with the sunset was stunning.

Alejandro C.

5 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· January 2025

We love this spot!

Tent ·

We loved this spot! Amazing what Toa did to his property. We enjoyed having access to a kitchen and a hot tube while we car camped. It elevated our usual camping experiences. Nice and relaxing place to stargaze and let your worries disappear. We will definitely be back again!

Beth R.

7 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· January 2025

Very eclectic place to stay. Think of Tao’s place as an ever evolving experience. We recommend getting there in the daytime due to the many places you can stay and orienting yourself to layout. Pool has a hot-tub on one end and the length is ambient temp “ie” a cold plunge if you are there in January. One note. If you are going east the turn is onto a small dirt road to the right. If you are coming west, you cannot turn across the highway due to a median blocking. You will have to drive past the road and make a U-turn, then backtrack to make the right turn.

Thomas B.

5 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· January 2025

16 ft car · Group trip ·

Great peaceful space with easy access. Tao’s detailed instructions made us finding the place seamless. Would stay here again.

Kelli R.

3 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· January 2025

Private canyon with hot tub

This is an amazing spot. A very private canyon close to joshua but very easy to find. The trailer was confortable to stay in and thoughtfully decorated. Our favorite part was the hot tub under the stars. Very cool! Will def be back.

Mike B.

6 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· January 2025

Birders rejoice!

14 ft campervan ·