Several desert campgrounds near Mecca, California offer luxury tent and cabin accommodations in locations with lower visitor traffic than Palm Springs resorts. During winter months (October-April), temperatures range from 50-75°F, creating ideal conditions for desert glamping experiences. The elevation varies from -220 feet below sea level in some areas to over 5,000 feet in nearby mountain campgrounds.
What to do
Desert hiking options: Borrego Palm Canyon Campground provides direct trail access to unique palm oases. "The palm canyon hike is really nice. The sites aren't huge and it's definitely desert camping," notes one visitor at Borrego Palm Canyon Campground.
Mineral pool immersion: Natural hot springs with varying temperatures are available at several resorts. A visitor at Fountain of Youth Spa RV Resort reports, "Too many activities to list," while highlighting the mineral water amenities that create a spa-like experience.
Night sky observation: Areas around Mecca offer exceptional stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution. "We were drawn up there for the meteor shower and hot springs... this camp ground provided beautiful star gazing - once everyone put out their lights," explains a camper at Agua Caliente County Park Campground.
Wildlife watching: Dawn and dusk offer opportunities to spot desert wildlife near camping areas. "Waking up to a gathering of big horn sheep atop a ridge with a bright colorful sunrise set behind as backdrop as they stand there stoic against it all, was by far one my favorite ways to wake up ever!" shares an Agua Caliente visitor.
What campers like
Hot spring access: Mineral pools with different temperature options appeal to glampers seeking therapeutic relaxation. "3 hot spring tubs. Pool is warm and wall stops wind," reports a visitor to Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA, which offers upscale tent accommodations.
Private spacing: Many glamping sites offer vegetation barriers between sites. At Happy Traveler RV Park, "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."
Year-round availability: Unlike high-elevation destinations, Mecca-area glamping remains accessible throughout winter. "The monthly rate was $1100" notes a winter visitor at Catalina Spa and RV Resort, indicating the premium pricing for extended stays during peak season.
Diverse water features: Beyond hot springs, several resorts offer additional water amenities. "The location is fairly central with Palm Springs only minutes away, wine country in Temecula about 1.5 hours and Joshua Tree Park about 45 minutes," explains a visitor at Catalina Spa and RV Resort.
What you should know
Wind considerations: Desert wind can affect canvas accommodations. "Way too windy. We had tents and trailers. None of us slept. The trailer rocked horribly and the tents were filled with dirts. The yurts walls were impacted by the wind," warns a Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA visitor.
Water quality issues: Some sites have mineral water unsuitable for drinking. "The water is safe for bathing and dishes but does have a large amount of sediment and discoloration. It is severe enough that our onboard filter was not sufficient," reports a visitor at Oasis Palms RV Resort.
Temperature fluctuations: Desert conditions create dramatic temperature swings between day and night. "Weather was cold and windy but not too bad. Bring insulation for your water hose or have some type of method that will keep your water lines from freezing. Our water hose froze the first night," advises a Lake Hemet camper.
Reservation timing: Peak season requires advance planning. "During the cooler months it seems to fill up quickly so it's best to make reservations ahead of time," notes a Borrego Palm Canyon visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Look for campgrounds with built-in recreation amenities. "Many activities for kids miniature golf, jump board, play ground. Many activities for adults as well the staff are very nice and helpful," says a Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA visitor.
Pool temperature considerations: Hot spring pools vary in temperature - check which are suitable for children. At Agua Caliente, "3 pools heated by the geothermal natural hot springs, one is adults only so you're not stuck hanging with the littles!"
Weekend noise levels: Expect higher occupancy and noise on weekends. "I took my boys camping for the weekend and Lake Hemet campground where we had a good time, but wish we would have gone during the week. There was a large group blasting their stereo with a DJ and they set of fireworks," reports a visitor at Lake Hemet Campground.
Primitive site preparation: For families visiting undeveloped sites, prepare differently. "Spontaneously went here to camp for the weekend. We arrived late Friday night and still found a spot for three cars. There were four other groups, but by morning they were gone," notes a Yaqui Well Primitive Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site privacy: Consider resorts with natural barriers between sites. "Spots were very close together but they all have 10 to 15 ft hedges on the sides so very private," explains a Happy Traveler RV Park visitor.
Interior road navigation: Narrow interior roads can challenge larger rigs. "The 'street' within the park is pretty tight. We have a 25 ft motorhome and it was pretty difficult to back in to our spot because it was so narrow," advises another Happy Traveler visitor.
Water connection protection: Desert temperature fluctuations require winterizing even in glamping scenarios. "Bring insulation for your water hose or have some type of method that will keep your water lines from freezing," suggests a Lake Hemet visitor who experienced frozen pipes.
Hookup placement: Some sites have challenging utility connections. "Our dump hookup ended up being uphill so one has to milk the house to empty," notes a Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA visitor about the site design.
