Thinking of Joshua Tree road trip any ideas of where to stay?

Question

Leaving OC towards Jausha Tree.
Never been and sounds like a place to see.
Any ideas on nice accomidations or is it just camping and like that...

Answer 1

The town of Joshua Tree has some hotels/B&B's. There's a really good bar/restaurant called Crossroads Cafe. If you continue past Joshua Tree and head to 29 Palms, there are TONS of hotels and Inns, ets. There a Holiday Inn Express, a Best Western, (I've stayed at both, had no problems, good and clean and reasonable), a Country Inn, Motel 6 and some others I can't remember. Near the park enterance is the 29 Palms Inn. I've never stayed there (the rooms look very nice, but sometimes getting a reservation is hard) but I have eaten there. EXCELLENT!
http://www.29palmsinn.com/
Here's a pretty good website to fing lodging in Joshua Tree.
http://www.joshuatreevillage.com/
I usually stay in 29 Palms (the town, not the Inn) and enter the park through the 29 Palms side and exit through the Joshua Tree side, stopping at the Crossroads Cafe for a beverage and meal.
Joshua Tree National Park really is an amazing place. I'm out there at least once a year and I'm in NYC.
If you like hiking, check out Pine City (a personal favorite), or Ryan Mountain (a well marked but steep trail to beautiful views on top(be prepared for wind and a chill if it's other than summer)). Barker Dam loop is also a great hike. Short but interesting. As is Real Hidden Valley. Check out Lost Horse Mine (not a terribly difficult walk). Definately get to Keys View. If you have time, climb up the trail opposite the viewpoints. The 360 degree panorama up there is stunning. All thins is in the northern part of the park. You'll also have to head south to Cottonwood Springs and the Lost Palms Oasis. As you drive down there watch the terrain change from high desert to low desert.
I'm headed abck there in October. Can't wait!
Have an awesome time!
Here's the NPS link:
http://www.nps.gov/jotr

Answer 2

I have been through there on a road trip. It's pure desert so I don't think camping would be fun, unless you are one of those rugged minimalist types lol. There are hotels in the area but not many nice ones. Sorry I don't have much more info, but I didn't stay there myself, just passed through. It is beautiful there though I can tell you that much. If you are interested in aviation history or military, you can visit Edwards AFB, that's where all the cool stuff happens, like testing new aircraft and such. They have a museum there too. Other than that, I don't know of much to do in the area. Have fun!