We all need something to look forward to again. And nothing is more exciting than planning that next perfect getaway as the journey begins the moment you decide to go. So when you’re ready, say yes to the road less traveled and start planning your desert getaway to 29 Palms.
Take the road less traveled
Just a stone’s throw away from Los Angeles and San Diego, a wilder side of California awaits. Home to the main entrance of the world-famous Joshua Tree National Park, 29 Palms offers unparalleled access to the vast and beautiful wilderness of the Mojave Desert. It’s a place for solitude seekers and stargazers, trailblazers and explorers. A place where the fiery sunsets give way to a night sky so dark and so clear that you can map out the magnificent Milky Way.
Book your visit to 29 Palms today and discover the natural wonders and otherworldly landscapes of the California desert, including Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave Trails National Monument, and the Mojave National Preserve, where you can hike to new heights on shifting sand dunes, boulders, and rugged mountain ranges.
Get inspired to get outdoors
At nearly 800,000-acres, Joshua Tree National Park is home to some of the most fascinating geology found in the California deserts; rugged mountains of twisted rock and exposed granite monoliths testify to the tremendous earth forces that shaped and formed this land. Much of the park exists within an overlap of the Mojave and Colorado deserts, creating a unique transition zone where you’ll find rich biodiversity, and a diverse range of plants and animals from each desert ecosystem.
Enjoy world-class hiking trails and rock climbing routes, and one of the most breathtaking starry night skies in southern California. And if you’re looking for an evening of solitude under the stars, Joshua Tree National Park is your park. Designated as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association in 2017, Joshua Tree National Park is home to some seriously dark skies, and is known as one of the best places in southern California to see the Milky Way. Learn more about stargazing in Joshua Tree National Park, and plan your next stargazing adventure!
Spanning an incredible 1.6-million acres, Mojave Trails National Monument borders Joshua Tree National Park to the south, and Mojave National Preserve to the north, and is home to beautifully rugged mountain ranges, pristine sand dunes, ancient lava flows, historic Native American trading routes and incredible WWII history, plus the longest undeveloped stretches of the iconic Route 66.
Plan a visit this fall and start your Mojave Trails adventure with a scenic drive up to Amboy Crater, one of the monuments most well-know geological wonders. Situated in one of the youngest volcanic fields in the U.S., Amboy Crater was formed of ash and cinders, and is 250-feet high and 1,500-feet in diameter, sitting in stunning contrast to the vast desert wilderness its surrounded by. In the cooler fall and winter seasons, plan to give yourself a couple of hours to explore, and plan time to hike the trail up and into this stunningly symmetrical volcanic cinder cone, and be prepared to take in some seriously otherworldly views!
From downtown 29 Palms, head north on Adobe Road and turn right on to Amboy Road, where you’ll follow the road northeast and enjoy 60 scenic miles of open road and open sky all the way to the Amboy Crater National Landmark, just one of many natural wonders waiting to be discovered in Mojave Trails National Monument.
Plan your trip
Our hospitality businesses look forward to welcoming you back to our beautiful rural desert community, and have implemented a wide variety of new safety measures and protocols in accordance with State and County guidelines, ensuring that your health and safety remains the top priority. You’ll see COVID-Compliant Business Partner certificates in the store front windows of many of businesses, and to learn more about what safety measures are in place, give our business owners a call directly – they’d love to hear from and share all the details of what’s new and what to expect at their business.
Book your accommodations in 29 Palms and choose from the areas most diverse collection of lodging, including national brand hotels, historic inns and motels, an RV Resort, and vacation rentals, all just minutes from the north entrance of Joshua Tree National Park!
Fuel up for your adventure with takeout or delivery from one of our local restaurants, and discover an exciting culinary adventure for all tastes and ages in 29 Palms. Check out our list of open restaurants, and find details on who’s offering outdoor dining.
We kindly remind you that that face masks/coverings are required statewide, and encourage you to practice healthy handwashing, maintain a safe social distance from people outside of your household, and postpone travel if you are sick. For more information and resources for planning a safe and responsible visit to 29 Palms, please visit our COVID-19 page.
It’s the best time of the year to hike!
From scenic natural trails and loops, to longer more challenging hikes, Joshua Tree National Park offers some of southern California’s most beautiful hiking trails.The fall is the best time of year to take on these more challenging hikes such as 49 Palms Oasis, a moderate 3-mile round trip trail that takes you down into one of the five fan palm oases found in the park.
Bordering Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave National Preserve, the newly designated Mojave Trails National Monument offers endless adventure for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Start your adventure at Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark where a moderate 3-mile round trip hike up and into the volcanic cinder cone will reward you with stunning views of the surrounding Mojave desert, and as a bonus, you’ll get to drive a stretch of the iconic Route 66 getting there!
From Amboy Crater, continue north on Amboy Road to Kelbaker Road in the Mojave National Preserve where you can hike the stunning Kelso Sand Dunes. Rising almost 700-feet high, the 2.7-mile round trip hike to the top of the sand dunes will certainly be a good workout and might just be one of the most beautiful places in the California desert to watch the sunset!
There’s a great lineup of festivals & events!
Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours October 5-6, 12-12, 19-20
Now in its 18th year, and having just extended to three weekends, the annual Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours is California’s second largest open studio art tours event! With more than 120 studio locations and more than 200 participating artists this year,
Joshua Tree Music Festival October 10-13
In addition to an always incredible lineup of musicians, the Joshua Tree Music Festival offers variety of multidisciplinary workshops, such as yoga and movement, visual arts, music, and myth, and with a robust schedule of Kidsville activities, this is one of the top family-friendly festivals in the country!
Climb Smart October 18-20
Hosted by Friends of Joshua Tree, this annual festival brings together the largest gathering of rock climbers in Joshua Tree to kick off the climbing season! This three-day event offers fantastic clinics and workshops with some of the best certified and accredited guide organizations, giving experienced climbers a great chance to refine their skills, and first-time climbers the chance to get into the sport.
We have lots of fun and quirky attractions to discover!
Beyond spending your time outdoors exploring the national park, or weekend attending festivals and events, fall is great time of year to explore the unique and quirky attractions in the City of 29 Palms!
How about a movie at Smith’s Ranch Drive-In, one California’s last remaining drive-in movie theaters?
Love live theater? How about a play at Theatre 29? This award-winning, premiere venue for year-round live community theatre offers a fantastic lineup of plays and comedies.
Ever thrown an axe? Trust us, once do it once you’ll be hooked! Discover your competitive side at The Boardroom, the high deserts first and only axe throwing venue.
