Camping near Cathedral City, California offers diverse options ranging from desert hot spring resorts to alpine mountain campgrounds. The region sits at the intersection of the Coachella Valley desert floor (elevation 400 feet) and the San Jacinto Mountains (rising to over 10,000 feet), creating dramatic temperature variations across camping locations. Winter nights in mountain campgrounds like Idyllwild can drop below freezing, while desert locations maintain milder temperatures but can experience strong winds.
What to do
Explore natural hot springs pools: At Catalina Spa and RV Resort, guests can enjoy mineral spring-fed pools and hot tubs. "The pools are fueled by the hot springs, so the pool is at about 90 degrees and the hot tub a bit hotter," notes one visitor at Catalina Spa and RV Resort.
Visit Joshua Tree National Park: Located about 45 minutes from Desert Hot Springs campgrounds, Joshua Tree offers unique rock formations and desert landscapes. "Joshua Tree entrances are within the hour to get to. The Coachella Valley preserve is just a few minutes drive from Sky Valley and is a delightful walk among Palm trees and springs," shared one camper at Sky Valley Resort.
Climb boulder formations: Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree provides excellent climbing opportunities. "I love this spot specifically because it is a great place to climb. It's conveniently close to skull rock and discovery trail. Although my favorite part of this campground is how clearly you can see the stars," mentions a visitor at Jumbo Rocks Campground.
Enjoy mountain recreation: The mountains surrounding Cathedral City provide cooler recreation options. "Palm Springs is 20 minutes south," notes one camper at Catalina Spa and RV Resort, highlighting the accessibility to both desert and mountain activities within a short drive.
What campers like
Mineral hot springs: Desert Hot Springs campgrounds feature natural mineral water pools. "We've been here for about 4 weeks and are going to store our rig and car here for a month before returning for another 3 weeks in Jan-Feb. Staff is outstanding. The pools are warm and well maintained," shares a guest at Catalina Spa and RV Resort.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer vegetation barriers between sites. "The sites are close together but divided by tall hedges that make for good privacy," reports a visitor at Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA.
Dark skies for stargazing: Joshua Tree campgrounds provide exceptional night sky viewing. "The sunsets and night sky have to be some of the best in the world," states a visitor at Jumbo Rocks Campground.
Family-friendly activities: Many resorts offer organized activities for families. "The KOA is reasonably priced for KOA and California. 3 hot spring tubs. Pool is warm and wall stops wind. Many activities for kids miniature golf, jump board, play ground. Many activities for adults as well the staff are very nice and helpful," explains a visitor to Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA.
What you should know
Wind conditions: Desert campgrounds can experience strong winds. "The only issue is it is terribly windy most of the time," mentions a camper at Catalina Spa and RV Resort. Another adds, "Way too windy. We had tents and trailers. None of us slept. The trailer rocked horribly and the tents were filled with dirt."
Site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more private sites than others. "This campground is right by the town. You can walk there within minutes. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. A little louder than what I would want," notes a visitor to Idyllwild Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures can be extreme in desert locations. "We wanted to escape the rain and cold and hit the jackpot with this location. I was concerned that the pools might be closed due to COVID but both pools were open," shares a camper at Catalina Spa and RV Resort.
Water access varies: Joshua Tree campgrounds have limited water. "Planning for water is needed, there is only a pit toilet," warns a camper at Jumbo Rocks Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities: KOA and resort-style campgrounds offer the most family activities. "We stayed for 2 and a half months and enjoyed the amenities daily. There is plenty of space for kids to play, with lawns and a little playground. 2 pools both with shower rooms and 2 separate laundry rooms. Pickleball with daily games, a small and run down mini golf course," shares a visitor at Catalina Spa and RV Resort.
Consider lake recreation options: Lake Hemet offers additional water activities. "We had the best time here! The lake with all the blow up toys was a blast! The section we were in only had a volt potty but there were showers there in another section. Every site has a picnic table and fire ring. We rented a boat and went out on the lake to do some fishing," reports a camper at Lake Hemet Campground.
Visit during cooler months: Desert locations are most comfortable from October through April. "We visited in January, and should have been better prepared! I know better, but we didn't check the conditions well enough, and froze our butts the first night!" shares a camper at Black Rock Campground.
Select sites away from high-traffic areas: Some campgrounds have noisier sections. "The only negative is the crowds for the water park area on the weekends. Don't want a spot too close," warns a visitor to Lake Hemet Campground.
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have tight access roads. "The entrance into the KOA - if coming in and making a right - be careful as you essentially end up making a U-turn around a rock wall and into the park. Just a funky entrance," advises an RVer at Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA.
Level sites: Many desert campgrounds have uneven sites. "Sites are not level," notes a visitor to Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA. Another shares, "We found a rock to level our van which helped, but flat spots were expected."
Size limitations: Joshua Tree campgrounds have restrictions for larger rigs. "Campers beware that the sites are close together and have limited space for campers. We have a RTT with a fold out annex. There are boulders along the road side that do not allow you to pull into the sites," warns a visitor at Jumbo Rocks Campground.
Palm tree navigation: Some RV parks have tight spacing around trees. "Parking big rig between the palm trees can be a challenge," shares a camper at Thousand Trails Palm Springs.
