A cactus with fruit set

Desert Tips

Things To Know

It gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Temperatures up to 113º F and down to 28º F.

Layered clothing works well.

Sunscreen is important.

Water is a must and overdue rather than skimp. We have the best water you will ever taste from our on-site well, it is in all of the faucets on the Inn property. So, don’t forget your favorite water bottles to fill. Or, bring them into the restaurant and we will be happy to fill them for you. Some of the old sink faucets make it difficult to fill a bottle.

Phone service is usually good here on site, but service in and around Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP) or out in the Mojave Trails area can be nonexistent. It’s not a bad idea to let the front desk know your plans for the day, just to be on the safe side.

Gas, like water, it’s better to have too much than not enough. We guess this means to also have plenty of charge for your vehicle.

Other things that you might want to remember:

  • “Leave No Trace” principles: stay on the trails, bring back anything you take with you!
  • Hat, Camera, Sunglasses, Binoculars, a small stash of first aid items, and knife and tweezers (work great if you happen to rub up on some cacti or other thorny desert fauna)
  • Order your Picnic Lunches from the 29 Palms Inn Restaurant the night before, then they will be ready to pick up in the morning so you can get an early start on your day!
  • Bring a paper map with you when you’re out for the day.