The Indian Wells region sits within Riverside County at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, with elevations ranging from 200-300 feet above sea level. Daytime temperatures regularly exceed 100°F during summer months, while winter brings milder 70-80°F days. The area's desert ecosystem features unique plant life including smoke trees and desert willows alongside the iconic Joshua trees that populate the nearby national park.
What to do
Hiking near Palm Springs: Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA offers convenient access to trails. "Easy access into Joshua Tree, The Living Desert Zoo or check out anything else in the area. The sites themselves are easy to navigate into. Nice wide streets," notes one visitor who appreciated the KOA's strategic location for exploring nearby attractions.
Desert swimming options: Geothermal pools provide relief from desert heat. "The KOA has 3 hot spring tubs. Pool is warm and wall stops wind. Many activities for kids miniature golf, jump board, play ground," reports a visitor who found the amenities perfect for cooling off between hiking trips.
Mountain views in cooler climates: William Heise County Park near Julian offers wooded camping at higher elevations. "Julian, CA. Wooded beautiful county campgrounds a couple miles from sweet town of Julian. Hiking and biking trails. Spacious campsites," writes one camper who appreciated the temperature drop compared to the desert floor.
What campers like
Natural mineral pools: Many visitors mention the therapeutic qualities of the desert hot springs. "Great place to ride atvs and enjoy the beauty of the lake and surrounding areas. There are no designated spots or fire rings, but as long as you're careful and responsible, there are plenty of rocks to build your own," shared a visitor at Lake Pleasant BLM near Lake Hemet Campground.
Privacy between sites: Happy Traveler RV Park offers unexpected seclusion within Palm Springs. "Each space is surrounded by 15ft hedges to provide privacy so don't have to worry about closing the blinds and you can use your patio as you please without people bothering you," notes a visitor who enjoyed the rare combination of in-town convenience with private sites.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer opportunities to see desert wildlife. "We've seen some bald eagles which was super cool! Every campsite had a fire pit which was nice," reports a Lake Hemet visitor who enjoyed both camping basics and unexpected wildlife encounters during their stay.
What you should know
Water quality varies: Not all campgrounds offer potable water. At Oasis Palms RV Resort, "the water is NOT SAFE to drink or cook with due to excessive arsenic and fluoride. There are however 3 locations in the park with reverse osmosis filters to fill water jugs," warns one reviewer who encountered water issues.
Wind concerns: Desert wind can disrupt camping experiences. "Way too windy. We had tents and trailers. None of us slept. The trailer rocked horribly and the tents were filled with dirt," cautions a visitor to Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA, highlighting a common regional challenge.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds near Indian Wells operate year-round but with notable seasonal changes. "We just hit the end of the season before it got too hot. It is often windy. We had hookups and used our AC every day," notes a camper at Borrego Palm Canyon, explaining how air conditioning became essential even during shoulder season.
Tips for camping with families
Water play features: Several glamping options close to Indian Wells, California include water features for children. "They have a super nice splash pad park that's no additional cost! There are lots of walking trails," notes a visitor to Lake Skinner Recreation Area, highlighting amenities beyond just camping.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreation. "We had the best time here! The lake with all the blow up toys was a blast! Every site has a picnic table and fire ring. We rented a boat and went out on the lake," shares a Lake Hemet visitor describing the family-oriented atmosphere.
Pet guidelines: Most campgrounds accept pets with specific rules. "Very nice hot tubs and swimming pool. Had a wonderful time with the kids and our two doggos here! Great dog park, family friendly," notes a Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA camper who brought the entire family.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require significant leveling equipment. "Our Site was not level at all. We carry a lot of leveling blocks and are not even close to level still nose down with 4 2x8s and Jack at max extension. We Had to get more lumber in town to level travel the trailer from front to rear," warns a visitor to Thousand Trails Idyllwild.
Hookup positioning: Poorly positioned hookups can create challenges. "Our dump hookup ended up being uphill so one has to milk the hose to empty (our neighbors had the same situation)," explains a camper at Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA who encountered practical issues with the site layout.
RV park layouts: Entry roads can be tight at some locations. "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 a KOA visitor sharing navigational tips for larger vehicles.
