Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Palm Desert, CA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Palm Desert is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Discover great camping spots near Palm Desert, reviewed by campers like you.
"The resort is extremely clean, well-maintained, and quiet."
"Wonderful amenities, courteous & helpful staff, loaner equipment for golf, pickle ball, etc. clean, safe & comfortable. 30 amp plug in did not work & water spigot needs a new washer."
"The amenities were well kept, all sites were concrete slabs, and the signal was good, but it was very loud sit to close proximity to major roads and wasn’t very kid friendly."
"Palm Springs Oasis is very small but it was a great place to stay with just a 5-10 minute drive to downtown!"
"The is a beautiful Thousand Trails RV Resort in Palm Springs, California! The park is large, very spacious and so clean!"
"Plenty of 50-amp sites, which usually means BIG rigs, are all back-in. The mature date palms and tight sites makes parking and manuevering diffecult for big rigs."
$22 - $44 / night
"Great for long term RV camping with hookups. They have nice hot springs pools, decent cell signal, and reasonable prices for full hookups."
"This place has a great weekly rate ($35 per night) and great amenities. We got a site across from the laundry/pool/bathroom which was also not far from the dog park."
$45 - $9999 / night
"Shadow Hills RV Resort is a stellar urban RV resort with all the amenities."
"Stayed here because our tow vehicle broke down and needed to stay somewhere while it got fixed. This was the closest place available that had spots open."
$74 - $200 / night
"Well kept, electrical distribution updated. It is in the landing flight path for the airport but very little traffic. Close to restaurants and stores"
"The staff was nice and the park and sites were all very well kept and level on concrete slabs. The location was near many great restaurants and for the most part the park was quiet."
"Clearly off season as only a few campers here. Nice level concrete pads FHU (bring lots of sewer hose)."
"Had two pools and outdoor bar area with fire pit. All spots are paved and easy to access"
$52 - $113 / night
"Excellent for big rigs of any size."
"Luckily they participate in Passport America and we got the 50% discount, so our FHU pull through site came to $52 with taxes and fees, so roughly double that for the full price."
$15 - $55 / night
"A great spot away from the main Joshua Tree strip. We visited for one night during the waning height of COVID and staff was taking all the necessary precautions."
"We did a day trip into Joshua Tree National Park, which was amazing. It was a hot day but the RV park had full hookups so we could run the AC in the RV to escape the heat."
"We stayed at the Idyllwild RV Resort over Labor Day weekend 2020 and we had a great time."
"Site 414 Had No cell coverage for our Verizon phones. After a drive through the park we found Cell coverage only works in lower part of the park. Our Site was not level at all."
GuideI really liked this campground. It’s one of the campground inside Joshua Tree NP and reservable through Recreation.gov. The sites are very private but they are small. Both the pull through and back in sites are small so this is definitely not for big rigs. We had A19 which is a pull through on the right side of the road and we had to go into the gravel part of the site so we would be in enough to open our driver side slide out. And we ended up pretty slanted as a result, but it fit. There are flush toilets that are very clean. This side of the park is very nice but most of the action is north of here and so we’re an hour drive to a lot of the hikes we want to do. No cell service at all.
RangerI spent a few nights using my Passport America discount at Pechanga RV Resort. I really liked it there. This is now one of my favorite RV resorts in California except for the showers. It is clean, well-maintained, concrete, level pads, full hookups, 168 site spaces, 20-30-50 amp power, 5 luxury spaces that The park itself is clean, well-maintained, concrete, level pads, full hookups, 168 site spaces, 20-30-50 amp power, 5 luxury spaces that is fenced in with gazebo, and picnic tables. First of all, it is part of the Casino with entertainment and restaurants. This casino reminds me of the Vegas casinos and now is under construction to make it a real Vegas Style Resort. It’s going to be finished sometimes in 2017.
The RV resort itself has a nice heated pool, Jacuzzi, ping pong table. They also have a golf club which could be important for some. One thing I hated is the showers. The RV resort shower has a timer set to 25 seconds and the showerhead is not able to stand upright. So you basically have to hold the shower in one hand and keep pressing the timer every 25 seconds. It’s December, it’s cold in the shower, especially because the water keeps shutting off. You end up standing soaking wet putting soap on yourself in the cold.
I wonder if the hotel rooms have timer on the showers as well. The person who came up with this idea should take showers in there each night. It pet-friendly resort, they also have an area for dogs. If you heading to the casino, they have a shuttle service 24/7 which picks ups from and drop-offs to and from your space. You have to call a number and they are there to pick you up in minutes.
About the WiFi! It’s the best WiFi ever in any parks I’ve so far visited! I wasn’t even close to the main building and had a great reception. I am able to use my Roku to watch Netflix and can use my laptop as well for work. I didn’t even need my Sprint or Verizon, but both work fine. Across the street, there is a 2-mile bike/walk trail. Using this and riding around the nice neighborhoods it was a fun way to get some exercise.
GuideThe is a beautiful Thousand Trails RV Resort in Palm Springs, California! The park is large, very spacious and so clean! The gorgeous Palm trees are a little bit of a parking hazard, but they were here before we were! 😊 And besides, they are so beautiful to look at every day. The park feels like a day on beach with white sand to park on in most spaces, towering Palm trees, and brightly colored tropical flowers. What a treat in the winter! We are here in November and December and daytime high’s are in the low 80’s. The park is split in half with one side 30 amp FHU and the other half 50 amp FHU. For TT members, there is not an additional charge for 50 amp. Quite a deal! There is plenty of room to get out and walk in this park, along with a nice dog park, playground, billiards room, swimming pool and spa, horseshoes, 8 pickle ball courts, many laundry rooms and restrooms, and community recreation room. The surrounding mountains ranges are pretty amazing, too. This park is close to it all in the Palm Springs area and everything is within a short drive. Joshua Tree National Park and the Salton Sea is just over a half hour away. The Thousand Trails Palm Springs RV Resort is perfect and we will definitely be visiting again!
For videos on this park and others, check out our YouTube channel: Jeff & Steff’s Excellent Adventure.
GuideShadow Hills RV Resort is a stellar urban RV resort with all the amenities. Full hookups, daily trash pickups at each site, cable tv, large level pads with privacy hedge, small dog parks scattered throughout, gated security, nice restrooms w/ showers (free). We were visiting family who were just a short bike ride away. Can be extremely windy here. Desert X environmental art installations are nearby.
TravelerA well managed, well-kept park. Plenty of 50-amp sites, which usually means BIG rigs, are all back-in. The mature date palms and tight sites makes parking and manuevering diffecult for big rigs. Very lively community; lots of people out, kid playing. Proximity to Interstate 10 and railroad tracks makes it a bit noisy. But, it's NOT too bad. Plenty of TV stations along with 5G cell service. It's not in the rules so, I believe I'm allowed to wash my rig.
TravelerA nice little (120 spaces or so) full hookup (30 and 50 amp) campground. We paid $289 for 5 nights. Clean, well maintained and full of families. Very close to downtown and Anza-Borrego Visitor Center. Spaces are good size, no problems fitting our 30' toy hauler towed by F250, and the park is well laid out and easy to drive. Checkin was fast and easy. There are full time residents, but they are in a different section. We used it as a base for hiking and off-roading at Octotillo Wells (both recommended,but bring as much water as you can carry). The property has an old west theme, and there is also a hotel , laundromat and restaurant. If you have never visited this part of California, be advised that the wind here can be VERY intense, especially at night. Also note that Borrego Springs is a dark sky community, so please be respectful and remember to look up and enjoy the stars.
LegendA bit challenging to locate via Google Maps... Just go up (south) Summit Blvd, when you get to the parking lot of the ski resort, veer towards the left, and just past a concrete wall, you'll see the little Pineknot Campground sign attached to an aluminium pole. The campground is very cozy, countless tall pine trees, clean bathrooms, clean sites, water from taps, no hookups, and not for big rigs. The hosts are friendly, but strict! No generators from 8 pm to 8 am, a $3000 fine if your campfire is left unattended, and no rowdy obnoxious behavior is tolerated! We appreciated the rules, and thoroughly enjoyed our peaceful, quiet, deep in the woods getaway!!
TravelerGreat for long term RV camping with hookups. They have nice hot springs pools, decent cell signal, and reasonable prices for full hookups. Camp sites are on the small side so neighbors are close, but at least they put plants in between to give you a little privacy.
LegendA great spot away from the main Joshua Tree strip. We visited for one night during the waning height of COVID and staff was taking all the necessary precautions. There were some restrooms and dish cleaning station available, though we didn’t use them. Spaces were clean and tidy and, although close together, were separated by beautiful bushes that kept it feeling private. Lots of birds around and great views of the desert and mountains. Fire ants were everywhere, so wear shoes. Most of the spots don’t have individual sewer connection but access to shared dump station. Everything was in great condition. The art installations and theatre looked so cool, but were closed temporarily. The lake was super cool and teeming with wildlife. Very reasonably priced for 50 amp & water hookup per night. Very easy access with 25’ trailer. We will definitely return.
Palm Desert, California, offers a fantastic array of RV camping options, perfect for those looking to explore the beauty of the desert while enjoying modern amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best RV parks in the Palm Desert area?
The Palm Desert area offers several exceptional RV parks for travelers. Thousand Trails Palm Springs stands out with its spacious layout, clean facilities, and beautiful palm trees throughout the property. For those seeking luxury accommodations, Shadow Hills RV Resort provides stellar urban amenities including full hookups, daily trash pickup, cable TV, level pads with privacy hedges, and gated security. Both parks are well-maintained and offer excellent bases for exploring the Palm Desert region.
How much does RV camping cost in Palm Desert?
RV camping in the Palm Desert area typically ranges from $40-70 per night for full-hookup sites, with prices varying by season and amenities. Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort offers full hookup sites (30 and 50 amp) for around $58 per night. Catalina Spa and RV Resort provides reasonable prices for full hookups with the added benefit of hot springs pools. Many parks offer weekly and monthly rates for extended stays, and some provide discounts through membership programs like Passport America.
Are there seasonal RV rentals available in Palm Desert?
Yes, seasonal RV rentals are available in the Palm Desert area, particularly during the popular winter months when snowbirds flock to the region. Indian Waters RV Resort and Coachella Lakes RV Resort both accommodate long-term seasonal visitors. Many parks offer monthly rates and extended-stay options from October through April. For those looking to escape the desert heat in summer, Lake Hemet Campground provides a cooler alternative at higher elevation. Reservations for seasonal rentals should be made well in advance, as availability is limited.
What amenities do Palm Desert RV parks typically offer?
Palm Desert area RV parks typically offer generous amenities to enhance your stay. Pechanga RV Resort exemplifies this with concrete level pads, full hookups with 20-30-50 amp power, and luxury shower facilities. Most parks provide full hookups, WiFi, cable TV, swimming pools, and community areas. Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground offers clean spaces away from the main tourist areas with restrooms and dish cleaning stations. Many resorts also feature dog parks, laundry facilities, exercise rooms, planned activities, and proximity to local attractions. Premium resorts often include hot tubs, pickleball courts, and golf course access.
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