Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles, near Los Angeles, California, is a unique spot for those who crave a more primitive camping experience. With just five sites, it offers a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in the stunning desert landscape filled with iconic Joshua trees.

This location is all about peace and quiet, with visitors often remarking on the serene atmosphere, especially when the winds are calm. You can expect beautiful sunrises and sunsets that paint the sky in vibrant colors, making it a perfect backdrop for your camping adventures. As one camper noted, “The Joshua Trees, the sunsets, the sunrises! All so peaceful and beautiful.”

While there are no facilities here, that’s part of the charm for many. You’ll need to come prepared, as there’s no drinking water or electric hookups, but the trade-off is a more authentic outdoor experience. Some campers have enjoyed the solitude, stating they often had the place all to themselves, which is ideal for those looking to unwind and connect with nature.

For those who enjoy wildlife, this area is rich with it, providing plenty of opportunities for exploration. Just remember to check the weather before you head out, as conditions can change quickly in the desert. Whether you’re camping with friends or bringing your dog along for the adventure, Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles is a great spot to kick back and enjoy the natural beauty of Southern California.

Joshua trees 50 miles closer to LA than the Joshua Tree National Park! This is 2.5 acres of protected Joshua Tree lands in the Antelope Valley north of LA, between the snowy Tehachapi Mountains, and the rolling green foothills of the also-snowy San Gabriel Mountains. My first time out there I saw BOTH ENDS of a rainbow in front of the snowy Tehachapis!! Super dark skies, and a million stars at night. It feels like the wild west out here. Think long dirt roads, tumbleweeds, bones, and maybe some old bullet shells (there's no shooting allowed on the property anymore). The property itself is along a dirt "road" called Avenue C, but I'd be shocked if you encountered anyone driving along there. Except possibly another group of campers. This land used to be the domain of the Ketanemuk tribe, which I think means People From The East. In the summer they would go up and hunt and get pine nuts in the Tehachapi Mountains, and acorns from the oak trees in the San Gabriels. It's about a 20 minute drive from the town of Neenach (pronounced Nee-nack), where there's a general store and a cafe. They make a great breakfast burrito. A few minutes from the State Poppy Reserve, which blooms in the spring with miles of California poppies. If you have a larger group or event in mind, get in touch! We can figure out how to accommodate you.

Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles

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The Best Camping Near Lake Hughes, California

I've had some amazing times out here getting away from it all, and there's something about the atmosphere out here that makes the BEST sunsets. You can get right up in the joshua trees, and a lot of the time you have the place all to yourself. Awesome place to bring your dog and friends and just goof off. Easy to get to, but still secluded. It's about a 15-minute drive to the nearest neighbor, but you're still less than a mile from the highway.

I've been here in the winter and the summer. I actually like the winter better! When there's snow on the Tehachapi mountains and the San Gabriel mountains, the view is incredible. And it's Southern California, so it doesn't really get cold.

The only rules are don't hurt the joshua trees, and don't start any wildfires. That's easy enough to comply with.

Gorgeous peaceful joshua tree desert

My buddies and I stopped here on our way to the Sierra’s. It was the perfect stop. Quiet. Peaceful. Beautiful. 

The owner, Levi, was great. He communicated well and even helped me with places to stay and hike in the Sierra’s. 

VERY PEACEFUL!

The Joshua Trees, the sunsets, the sunrises! All so peaceful and beautiful. Absolutely nobody around and we weren’t bothered by any animals either.

Slept in the car and temperatures reached as low as 32 F but with the right equipment we were able to stay warm. Heats up quick in the morning!

Perfect Serenity

This site is really just a boondocks spot.  The Joshua Trees are great but the roads are really just ruts and some of the area was used to dump junk

Not much.

Much wild life and plenty of things to see

Joshua tree

There's no facilities here. Heck, there's barely a sign. But it's a great spot to get away from the city for a day or two and hang out with family and friends.

  

Pros:

Location is great, only a 70-90 minute drive from LA

When it's not windy, it's dead-quiet and fantastic

Joshua trees everywhere

Just enough cell service to feel safe, but not enough bandwidth for your kids to stream YouTube all day

  

Cons:

\- It's hard to find. There is no signs until you randomly pick a dirt road and go a few hundred yards, then you see a Joshua Tree Ranch sign laying on the ground.

\- Once you find it, you don't know where you're going. There are no markings on any of the sites, and no markings of where the Ranch ends. Was I camping in the ranch? probably. Who knows? Just drive around until you see a makeshift fire pit someone else left behind.

\- Check the weather! We did not and went on a day where the Santa Ana winds were blowing. The day was OK, but the overnight was brutal in a tent. So much noise from the tent and our screen tent outside flapping in 30+mph winds (not the fault of the property, but be aware!)

Photos of Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles

Real photos from real campers