Glamping is a trend that’s here to stay, but few places offer the opportunity for a truly enlightening experience. For all adventure seekers and nature lovers, look no further than Joshua Tree

AutoCamp Joshua Tree should be the next on your bucket list. First designated a national monument in 1936 and accorded National Park status in 1994, Joshua Tree is an ancient landscape that includes sections of both the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts. Sprawling almost 800,000 acres, it gets its name from the iconic Joshua Trees, a kind of rare yucca. From hiking through the Wonderland of Rocks to summiting Ryan Mountain or taking in the epic carpets of blooming wildflowers in the spring, there are endless adventures to be had here. 

HKS Architects were appointed for the architecture of the site, while Narrative Design Studio heralded the interiors. They sought to let the exterior surrounds steal the show and keep the feel of the interiors quiet by choosing a warm neutral palette and textures that echo the earthly hues of the desert landscape. With guests out and about exploring Joshua Tree during the day, the Clubhouse provides a relaxing reprieve where they can soak in the views via custom rocking chairs and enjoy heated seating in the outdoor lounge and bar on chilly nights. Throughout the property, handcrafted items reflect the artistic spirit of Joshua Tree and accent the overall neutral palette. Pottery, a hand painted mural behind the outdoor bar, and various sculptural elements tell the story of Joshua Tree as a community of artists and naturalists. Select pieces range from pottery made in the Cahuilla and Mojave indigenous styles, to striking and subtle mural designs, and a woven leather tapestry modeled after the fringe on a jacket. 

Designed to capture the serenity and openness of the desert, the property is anchored by an arched, Quonset Hut-inspired Clubhouse, outfitted inside with mid-century modern details and opening onto a plunge pool. This unique indoor/outdoor design offers shade from the desert sun but spills out onto a patio featuring misting fans and an open-air bar, to keep you connected to the wild beauty of Joshua Tree. In keeping with the natural spirit of this place, AutoCamp Joshua Tree was designed for minimal impact on the environment, incorporating low water use, native plantings, xeriscaping to avoid irrigation, on-site water treatment, a heavy reliance on solar power, and dark sky-compliant lighting to preserve the clear view of stars. Each AutoCamp property is a singular experience - some of the exciting new amenities at Joshua Tree include custom textiles in each of the 55 units, as well as some units featuring outdoor showers, and design elements by creative partners like Alexis Moran, Fong Brothers Co., Galanter & Jones, and All Roads Studio (another one of our neighbors!), among others, along with the poolside bar. 

From special dinner series by partner chefs cooked in camp’s mobile kitchen to movie nights under the stars, yoga and sound healing sessions outdoors, and fireside chats, there’s a slate of programming designed to create a sense of community and newness. There’s also an endless list of possibilities designed to make the most of one’s experience in the park, from mountain biking to rock climbing to a local brewery tour, if you’re looking to take things a little slower. 

As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote in The Little Prince: “I have always loved the desert. One sits down on a desert sand dune, sees nothing, hears nothing. Yet through the silence something throbs, and gleams…” We look forward to meeting you there.