Los Angeles to Joshua Tree by RV

East on I-10 to Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs, then up CA-62 to the high desert towns at the edge of Joshua Tree National Park.

Photo: Jarek Tuszyński, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Suggested length
3 nights
Round trip
294 mi
Driving
about 6 h 2 min (car, no traffic)
Best season
Oct–Apr

Sources last checked 2026-10-28.

Itinerary

East on I-10 to Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs, then up CA-62 to the high desert towns at the edge of Joshua Tree National Park.

  1. California fan palms in front of the San Jacinto Mountains near Palm Springs
    Photo: Elizabeth Iris / Pexels

    Day 1 · Ease into the desert around Palm Springs

    Downtown LA → Palm Springs & Desert Hot Springs: 109 mi · 2 h 07 min by car

    Splits the drive from LA before heading up CA-62 to the park.

    Suggested area: Palm Springs & Desert Hot Springs · no campground chosen · choose one

  2. Granite boulders and Joshua trees in Joshua Tree National Park
    Photo: Bradley Dunn / Unsplash

    Day 2 · Explore the west side of Joshua Tree

    Palm Springs & Desert Hot Springs → Joshua Tree: 27 mi · 43 min by car

    Barker Dam and Keys View are both reached from Park Boulevard inside the park.

    Suggested area: Joshua Tree · no campground chosen · choose one

  3. Teddy bear cholla cactus at sunset in the Cholla Cactus Garden, Joshua Tree National Park
    Photo: Kristen Lalumiere, NPS (public domain) / NPS / Wikimedia Commons

    Day 3 · Skull Rock and the Cholla Cactus Garden

    Joshua Tree → Twentynine Palms area: 15 mi · 20 min by car

    Twentynine Palms is home to the Oasis Visitor Center and the park's north entrance.

    Suggested area: Twentynine Palms area · no campground chosen · choose one

  4. Day 4 · Return

    Twentynine Palms area → Downtown LA: 143 mi · 2 h 52 min by car

Dates, travelers and nights
  1. Downtown LA → Palm Springs & Desert Hot Springs: 109 mi · 2 h 07 min by carPalm Springs & Desert Hot Springs1 night
  2. Palm Springs & Desert Hot Springs → Joshua Tree: 27 mi · 43 min by carJoshua Tree (West Entrance area)1 night
  3. Joshua Tree → Twentynine Palms area: 15 mi · 20 min by carTwentynine Palms area1 night
  4. Twentynine Palms area → Downtown LA: 143 mi · 2 h 52 min by car
3 nights294 mi round trip6 h 02 min driving (car time)

Drive times are OSRM road-routing estimates for a car, without traffic; an RV is usually slower. Changing nights updates the dates, campground sections, RV prices and search link on this page.

Find an RV for this trip

Numbered: overnight areas · ⛺ recommended campgrounds · select a stop to jump to its day.

Routing: OSRM route over OpenStreetMap data (car profile), 2026-10-28. Car times; allow more in an RV.

RVs for this trip

Priced for 3 nights. Shorter rigs fit more of this route's campgrounds.

  • 2019 Thor Four Winds 23U O2Class C motorhome · sleeps 7 · 24 ft$201/night listed · $603 for 3 nights before fees
  • Sunshine DaydreamClass C motorhome · sleeps 6 · 25 ft$195/night listed · $585 for 3 nights before fees
  • 2019 Thor Four Winds 23U O3Class C motorhome · sleeps 7 · 24 ft$201/night listed · $603 for 3 nights before fees
  • Cruise America: Compact (19')Sleeps 3Price by quote

See all 248 matching RVs with your dates

Full RV details and vehicle considerations
RV length limits on this trip
  • White Tank and Hidden Valley campgrounds have a 25 ft combined length limit; Belle can take up to 35 ft, but most sites fit 25–30 ft RVs. NPS Joshua Tree: Campgrounds

A 25 ft RV matches the published length guidance at 34 of 42 route campgrounds that post a maximum length. Posted limits don’t guarantee a site; confirm your selected campsite.

Class C motorhome

Why
  • 96% of local listings have a generator, for power at dry campsites.

Camper van

From a rental company

Cruise America Compact (19')

Cruise America Fleet class · Ford · unit assigned at pickup

Compact (19')

Sleeps 3 · 20 ft long · 2 beds · Generator

Check with Cruise America: Name says 19 ft; specs say 20 ft. We show both rather than pick one.

Tanks: Fresh 21 gal, grey 16 gal, black 17 gal, propane 11 gal · 40 gal gas fuel

Why this fits
  • Matches published length guidance at 40 of 42 route campgrounds that post one; confirm your campsite
  • Compact at 20 ft for tight campground loops
  • Generator for power at sites without hookups
  • Sleeps 3

Pickup: not listed at a nearby depot; ask Cruise America

Ratenot shown; quoted by Cruise America for your dates
Mileage estimate≈ $115 for 294 mi round trip at 39¢ per mile source
Unknownnightly rate, taxes, insurance, kits, fuel

Specs and photos: Cruise America: 19' Compact RV Rental, checked 2026-10-28.

Check rates on Cruise America
Cruise America Compact Plus (20')

Cruise America Fleet class · Ford · unit assigned at pickup

Compact Plus (20')

Sleeps 4 · 20.5 ft long · 2 beds · Generator

Tanks: Fresh 21 gal, grey 16 gal, black 17 gal, propane 11 gal · 40 gal gas fuel

Why this fits
  • Matches published length guidance at 36 of 42 route campgrounds that post one; confirm your campsite
  • Compact at 20.5 ft for tight campground loops
  • Generator for power at sites without hookups
  • Sleeps 4

Pickup: Los Angeles (Carson) (26 min drive from downtown LA)

Ratenot shown; quoted by Cruise America for your dates
Mileage estimate≈ $115 for 294 mi round trip at 39¢ per mile source
Unknownnightly rate, taxes, insurance, kits, fuel

Specs and photos: Cruise America: Compact Plus 20' RV Rental, checked 2026-10-28.

Check rates on Cruise America
Cruise America Standard (25')

Cruise America Fleet class · Ford · unit assigned at pickup

Standard (25')

Sleeps 5 · 25 ft long · 3 beds · Generator · Solar

Tanks: Fresh 40 gal, grey 25 gal, black 25 gal, propane 12 gal · 55 gal gas fuel

Why this fits
  • Matches published length guidance at 34 of 42 route campgrounds that post one; confirm your campsite
  • Generator for power at sites without hookups
  • Solar panels
  • 40 gal fresh water tank

Pickup: Los Angeles (Downey) (15 min drive from downtown LA), Los Angeles (Carson) (26 min drive from downtown LA), Costa Mesa (49 min drive from downtown LA), Fillmore (1 h 11 min drive from downtown LA) +5 more

Ratenot shown; quoted by Cruise America for your dates
Mileage estimate≈ $115 for 294 mi round trip at 39¢ per mile source
Unknownnightly rate, taxes, insurance, kits, fuel

Specs and photos: Cruise America: Standard 25' RV Rental, checked 2026-10-28.

Check rates on Cruise America

From a local owner

Class C motorhome: 2019 Thor Four Winds 23U O2

Outdoorsy Owner’s RV · this specific vehicle

Most popularTop rated

2019 Thor Four Winds 23U O2

Class C motorhome · Sleeps 7 · seatbelts not listed

24 ft long · 2019 · Generator · Pets allowed

Pickup: owner in Santa Ana, CA · delivers up to 100 mi★ 4.9 (32)

Why it fits Joshua Tree
  • Matches published length guidance at 36 of 42 route campgrounds that post one; confirm your campsite
  • Compact at 24 ft for tight campground loops
  • Generator for power at sites without hookups
  • 40 gal fresh water tank
Listed price$201/night listed · $603 for 3 nights before fees
Mileageset by the owner; not in our data
Unknownservice fees, taxes, protection, deposit

Also listed on RVshare.

Check availability on Outdoorsy
Class C motorhome: Solar-Powered, Pet Friendly, Ready-to-Go Sunshine Daydream

Outdoorsy Owner’s RV · this specific vehicle

Most popularTop rated

Solar-Powered, Pet Friendly, Ready-to-Go Sunshine Daydream

Class C motorhome · Sleeps 6 · 6 seatbelts (listed)

25 ft long · 2022 · Generator · Solar · Pets allowed

Pickup: owner in Long Beach, CA · delivers up to 25 mi★ 5.0 (22)

Why it fits Joshua Tree
  • Matches published length guidance at 34 of 42 route campgrounds that post one; confirm your campsite
  • Generator for power at sites without hookups
  • Solar panels
  • 44 gal fresh water tank
Listed price$195/night listed · $585 for 3 nights before fees
Mileageset by the owner; not in our data
Unknownservice fees, taxes, protection, deposit

Also listed on RVshare.

Check availability on Outdoorsy
Class C motorhome: 2019 Thor Four Winds 23U O3

Outdoorsy Owner’s RV · this specific vehicle

Most popularDelivers to you

2019 Thor Four Winds 23U O3

Class C motorhome · Sleeps 7 · seatbelts not listed

24 ft long · 2019 · Generator · Pets allowed

Pickup: owner in Santa Ana, CA · delivers up to 100 mi★ 4.7 (25)

Why it fits Joshua Tree
  • Matches published length guidance at 36 of 42 route campgrounds that post one; confirm your campsite
  • Compact at 24 ft for tight campground loops
  • Generator for power at sites without hookups
  • 50 gal fresh water tank
Listed price$201/night listed · $603 for 3 nights before fees
Mileageset by the owner; not in our data
Unknownservice fees, taxes, protection, deposit

Also listed on RVshare.

Check availability on Outdoorsy

Where to stay

Two or three options per overnight area. Hookups are not in our campground data, so check each listing for hookups or dry camping.

Palm Springs & Desert Hot Springs 1 night · set a start date for exact nights

  • Black Rock Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    Black Rock CampgroundYucca Valley · 26.4 mi · 46 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 35 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 35 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 25 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    • Closest of these to the stop area
    • Most reviewed of these (1954)
    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗
  • Ryan Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    Ryan CampgroundTwentynine Palms · 42.5 mi · 71 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 32 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 32 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 25 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗
  • Joshua Tree RV Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Campspot listing
    Joshua Tree RV CampgroundJoshua Tree · 27.9 mi · 44 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 50 ft (listing data)Availability not shown online
    • Posts sites up to 50 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 25 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    Reserve on Campspot ↗

25 more RV campgrounds within 20 miles in our data.

Joshua Tree 1 night · set a start date for exact nights

  • Jumbo Rocks Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    Jumbo Rocks CampgroundTwentynine Palms · 22.9 mi · 44 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 46 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 46 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 25 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    • Most reviewed of these (2944)
    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗
  • Black Rock Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    Black Rock CampgroundYucca Valley · 8.9 mi · 19 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 35 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 35 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 25 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    • Closest of these to the stop area

    Also suggested for Palm Springs & Desert Hot Springs: it could serve as a shared basecamp for both.

    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗
  • Indian Cove Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    Indian Cove CampgroundTwentynine Palms · 10.2 mi · 13 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 35 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 35 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 25 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗

33 more RV campgrounds within 20 miles in our data.

Twentynine Palms area 1 night · set a start date for exact nights

  • Jumbo Rocks Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    Jumbo Rocks CampgroundTwentynine Palms · 13.1 mi · 28 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 46 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 46 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 25 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    • Most reviewed of these (2944)

    Also suggested for Joshua Tree: it could serve as a shared basecamp for both.

    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗
  • Black Rock Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    Black Rock CampgroundYucca Valley · 23.7 mi · 38 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 35 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 35 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 25 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov

    Also suggested for Palm Springs & Desert Hot Springs: it could serve as a shared basecamp for both.

    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗
  • Indian Cove Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    Indian Cove CampgroundTwentynine Palms · 6.9 mi · 11 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 35 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 35 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 25 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    • Closest of these to the stop area

    Also suggested for Joshua Tree: it could serve as a shared basecamp for both.

    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗

22 more RV campgrounds within 20 miles in our data.

Costs

RV rentalFrom $327 base subtotal ($109/night × 3, lowest listed match: Cozy Affordable Family 2018 RV (Discount… on Outdoorsy)Estimate
Rental fees, insurance, mileageSet by the provider at checkout; not included above.Unpriced
Campgrounds (3 stops)Rates are shown on each booking site.Unpriced
Fuel294 road miles round trip; fuel is not estimated here.Unpriced
Park feesJoshua Tree National Park charges a vehicle entrance fee. NPS Joshua Tree: Fees & passesUnpriced

There is no complete trip total: only the RV base rate is known before you get a quote.

Before you go

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