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Thousand Trails Palm Springs welcomes pets throughout its sprawling property, where campers find palm tree-lined sites with full hookups for RVs, tent camping areas, and pet-friendly cabin options. The campground maintains a dedicated dog park where pets can exercise off-leash, though dogs must remain leashed throughout the rest of the facility. Most sites feature sandy terrain with picnic tables, and guests appreciate the clean facilities including showers, toilets, and laundry. Catalina Spa and RV Resort similarly accommodates pets with designated pet-friendly cabins and glamping options alongside traditional RV and tent sites. Lake Hemet Campground permits pets year-round across all accommodation types including their cabin rentals. The pool areas remain restricted to humans only, with strict enforcement of pet policies requiring owners to clean up after their animals. Some visitors report that bikes have been stolen from campsites despite security measures.
Dog owners camping near Palm Desert should prepare for desert conditions with extreme temperature variations that can affect pets. Early morning or evening walks protect paws from hot sand and pavement during summer months when temperatures routinely exceed 100°F. Joshua Tree National Park's nearby campgrounds including Black Rock, Jumbo Rocks, and Ryan all permit leashed pets but restrict them from trails, requiring owners to exercise pets only in developed areas. Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA provides additional pet amenities including a fenced exercise area and pet washing station. Lake Cahuilla offers waterfront sites where pets can cool off along designated shorelines. Most campgrounds enforce a maximum of two pets per site, though specific policies vary. The sandy terrain at Thousand Trails proves challenging for keeping RVs and tents clean of pet hair and sand, with frequent vacuuming recommended by experienced campers.
"The is a beautiful Thousand Trails RV Resort in Palm Springs, California! The park is large, very spacious and so clean!"
"The 30 Amp side is pull through so we decided to set up at site 61 further away from the Highway because it is a bit noisy from road noise."
"They're situated between HUGE boulders so they're nicely tucked away from high winds that can sometimes pick up."
"It is roughly in between the northern and western entrances of the park, which means that it's essentially on the eastern edge of most of the rock climbing areas."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"This gem is located on the outskirts of Desert Hot Springs, CA. With two hot spring-fed pools and hot tubs (one of which is massive and SO luxe), we didn’t want to leave. Like, ever."
"Spa in the desert 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."
from $22 - $44 / night
Check Availability"Great dog park, family friendly and the hot springs was just perfect for all of us. Even have 3 temperatures so the kids can enjoy hot springs too! Thanks for a wonderful stay!"
"Not a sprig of grass which makes it difficult to get dogs to pee and it tracks in SO BAD!"
"I've been coming to Lake Hemet for several years. The campground is clean and the fishing is good, most of the time."
"You can fit two 10' x10' canopies to cover the bench table, and fit 2 individual tents (4-6 person) OR a bigger 12p tent however you decide to position it. It has its own Fire pit."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"Lake Cahuilla has a lot to offer, including a playground, lake for fishing only (no swimming), and a pool that was closed while we were there, and somewhat spacious sites."
"Great view of the lake from most of the tent sections. Access to showers and restrooms. There is a pool in the summer and enough shade to stay as cool as the desert allows without A/C."
"You're not allowed to use ANY surrounding vegetation for campfires (even kindling) so be prepared to cart in your own wood and kindling."
"Originally booked this site because it is a good endpoint for the California Riding & Hiking trail though the national park, so if you’re looking to run or complete the traverse, it is a good spot"
from $35 / night
Check Availability"This camp site was tucked in the back, 12 miles from Joshua Tree park entrance. This site was on the side of the rocks that provided shade for more than 12 hours in the day."
"Short drive to most of the popular sights / trails in Joshua Tree Cons: Some sites are pretty close to each other, can feel crowded.
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from $30 / night
Check Availability"Monthly stays are very economical ($580/$605+electricity) which includes daily (9am-9pm) access to the four hot pools at different temperatures, the swimming pool, gym, dry sauna, wet sauna, etc."
"Mail delivery is convenient, but the lack of security at the campground entrance feels like a gap."
from $60 / night
Check Availability"It's a lovely location with almost perfect weather in the winter. April very windy and May, it starts getting hotter. However, you can take the tram up majestic Mt."
"Lots of exploring within a hours drive to great sights like Joshua Tree NP, Palm Springs, Salton sea, Idlewild, Borrego Springs, etc."
TravelerComfortable partial hookup sites, pet friendly, and nice people. Theres a dog park next door. The bathrooms are clean, and the laundry facilities work well (although coin only, no cards).
ScoutJune 4, 2018 A great way to escape the heat of Palm Desert...however
Their premium priced “meadow view”($53) was a very small back in space with low pine branches. My sewer hookup was up hill, and the water spout was at the front of the site on the opposite side and needed two hoses! I looked around, and NONE of the spaces I saw looked level.
When I complained to the staff, I was told “it’s an old campground”, and I could switch to a “regular” spot....however no refund of the price difference would be given.
No free access to the lake for campers. Camp store is way overpriced(a small 3lb bag of ice was $5). No WiFi, No cell service(T-Mobile).
BTW.... take the long route! Drive up the mountain from the town of Hemet. DO NOT attempt the Palm Desert side...especially with a large 5th wheel or a class A. The Hemet approach has a more gradual grade and wider roads.
GuideThis is one of my favorite Thousand Trails. The pool is really nice and the grounds beautiful with all the date palm trees. We've met other nice campers and there are families with kids and retirees. The City of Palm Desert has a beautiful public park with pickle ball and lake. Great dining and shopping in the area. Lots of hikes and recreation areas.'
GuideWe took longer to get through northern LA on the Hwy 101 so we needed to stop earlier than Palm Desert. Found on Dyrt Country Hills Rv Park. Dan was so helpful finding us a pull through spot. Most amazing sunset on a full moon night and incredibly quiet but wonderful bird sounds welcomed us at dusk as we drove into park.
ScoutMonthly stays are very economical ($580/$605+electricity) which includes daily (9am-9pm) access to the four hot pools at different temperatures, the swimming pool, gym, dry sauna, wet sauna, etc. (Pre-Covid they had water aerobics class and yoga, but that’s been discontinued; I hope they bring these back someday.) The hot pools are not chlorinated: water flows through them and they are drained nightly. Verizon access is excellent; T-mobile not so much (1-2 dots).
Sam’s is one of the oldest Dillon Road RV Parks at the far end just as the road turns. It’s 10-15 minutes to Desert Hot Springs, 20 minutes to Palm Springs, 20-30 minutes to Cathedral City, Palm Desert and Indio.
RangerVery clean, dog friendly ( with dog park) helpful nice staff, propane available, small playground and swimming pool, picnic tables and grills at each site
GuideNot a very attractive drive in. Lots and lots of trash in the shrubbery and fields along the highway. Reservation and check in was easy. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. The RV park itself is attractive and seems to be fairly well maintained. It seems there are two rv areas. A lower older area and an upper newer and more attractive area. We were in the older area. Site was gravel with a small concrete area. Unfortunately, no one there seems to care about the dog poop everywhere (not exaggerating!). We and the people behind us parking had to clean dog poop off our site before we could set up. When walking our dog we saw poop everywhere. Dog park was ok, but on the small side and would be better with a gravel base instead of the dirt (very, very dusty and results in a dirty, dusty dog). There is a huge field adjacent and owned by the rv park that you can walk and or run your dog. But also full of poop. Bathroom smaller, older in the lower area. Much nicer, more modern bathrooms in the newer area. Two laundry rooms but no front loaders and the older laundry room only had two washers and two dryers. Can use quarters or an app. Pool and spa seemed pretty popular but we didn’t use. Area could really use some lighting at night. Very dark with minimal lighting in the older section. Trash is picked up every morning if you leave outside your site.
LegendBeautiful park with lots of amenities. Unfortunately the restaurant was closed as it is open seasonally. Wifi is the normal bad. Dog park is wonderful as well as the free putting course.
ScoutOur family of 3 just left the campground this morning, and we had a great time during our 1 night stay. To find it, just plug the GPS coordinates into Google maps and follow the instructions. It’s fairly primitive (outhouse and water spigot), but the sky is clear and the whole place is very serene with trees and nature. They have several protective, very human-friendly dogs on the property. They also open the barn around 0800 and allow campers to pet the rabbits, chickens, cats, pigs, turkey, ducks, and even feed the goats. Sites have campfire rings (bring your own wood), picnic table, and a couple Adirondack style chairs. The staff is also very friendly and informative. We will certainly be back.
Camping near Palm Desert offers desert diversity at elevations ranging from 170 feet below sea level at the Salton Sea to over 9,000 feet in nearby mountains. The area experiences extreme temperature variations with summer highs regularly exceeding 110°F and winter nights dipping into the 30s. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though many visitors avoid the intense summer heat when campsite temperatures can reach 120°F.
Stargazing opportunities: At Jumbo Rocks Campground, dark skies create ideal conditions for astronomy. "I recommend visiting during a new moon. The sunsets and night sky have to be some of the best in the world," notes Chance C. The campground's location away from major light pollution makes for exceptional celestial viewing.
Rock scrambling: Unique boulder formations provide natural playgrounds for all ages. "I love this spot specifically because it is a great place to climb. It's conveniently located close to skull rock and discovery trail," shares Andrea C. The massive granite formations scattered throughout the campground offer endless exploration opportunities without specialized equipment.
Trail access: Multiple hiking options begin directly from campgrounds. At Black Rock Campground, "Trails run right out of camp...lots of them...of all different difficulty levels. Something for everyone, and each of the trails we hiked, or came across were very well signed, which in the desert is appreciated," notes Ryan W. Most trails are open year-round but are best hiked in cooler months.
Hot mineral pools: Natural hot springs provide therapeutic relaxation. Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA features "3 hot spring tubs. Pool is warm and wall stops wind," according to Cheryl T. These geothermal pools maintain temperatures between 90-104°F year-round, offering relief after desert exploration.
Winter camping comfort: Moderate winter temperatures make off-season visits pleasant. "We wanted to escape the rain and cold and hit the jackpot with this location. The pools are fed by natural hot springs and warmer than most hot tubs," shares Vera S. about Catalina Spa and RV Resort. Winter daytime temperatures typically range from 65-75°F.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer stocked lakes. "Lake Cahuilla has a lot to offer, including a playground, lake for fishing only (no swimming), and a pool that was closed while we were there, and somewhat spacious sites," reports Morgen M. Though desert lakes are small, they provide a refreshing contrast to the arid landscape.
Wind considerations: Protect gear from strong gusts. "Way too windy. We had tents and trailers. None of us slept. The trailer rocked horribly and the tents were filled with dirt," warns Theresa O. about Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA. The San Gorgonio Pass creates a wind tunnel effect, with strongest gusts typically occurring February through May.
Site spacing variations: Privacy levels differ significantly between campgrounds. "The sites are close to each other. There were some spots that seem more ideal and secluded, but be prepared for close proximity to neighbors in most sites," Christopher D. notes about Black Rock Campground. Weekends tend to be fully booked, particularly January through April.
Water access limits: Bring sufficient supplies for dry campgrounds. At Lake Hemet Campground, visitors should note campgrounds inside Joshua Tree National Park lack potable water. "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," shares Joe P., highlighting how timing affects experience.
Mineral pools with varied temperatures: Look for kid-friendly options. "Even have 3 temperatures so the kids can enjoy hot springs too!" says Gina P. about Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA. This accommodation makes hot springs accessible for younger campers who might find standard hot tub temperatures uncomfortable.
Activity variety: Select campgrounds with multiple recreation options. Catalina Spa and RV Resort offers "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," according to Ashley M. Having diverse activities helps during midday heat when hiking isn't advisable.
Scheduling considerations: Midweek visits provide better experiences. "We stayed for 2 weeks and will return. Upper section is exposed to the frequent high winds. Lower section is blocked by trees and bushes which block you from your neighbors," advises JMark H. about Catalina Spa and RV Resort. School breaks (especially March-April) create significant crowding at dog friendly campgrounds near Palm Desert.
Site selection strategies: Position matters for comfort. At Thousand Trails Palm Springs, "We headed to the pull through 30amp sites which are all to the left. Parked in end spot of the first row after the pool in tight spot (palm trees are close) and electric wasn't working. This side is only one way streets so pulled out and headed to the right side of property which is all 50amp spots that are back in only," explains Nicole R. Avoiding sites near amenities reduces noise disturbance.
Seasonal timing: Monthly rates offer significant savings for longer stays. "Monthly rate was $1100, however I think they might be going up," notes Scott G. about Catalina Spa and RV Resort. Winter stays (November-March) offer ideal temperatures but require advance booking, often 6-12 months ahead for pet-friendly sites.
Leveling challenges: Bring appropriate equipment. "The sites were not level. We found a rock to level our van which helped, but flat spots were expected," warns Julie K. about Black Rock Campground. Desert terrain throughout the Palm Desert area tends to be uneven, requiring leveling blocks even at developed campgrounds with pet accommodations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Palm Desert, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Palm Desert, CA is Thousand Trails Palm Springs with a 4-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Palm Desert, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 255 dog-friendly camping locations near Palm Desert, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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