Joshua Tree is known to be one of the most mystique mystical national parks located in the middle of the desert with unique landscapes and starry night skies. While researching all the sights to see and activities to enjoy while visiting Joshua Tree, I first reserved a hotel room in 29 Palms to stay in during my 24 hours exploring the national park. As I was scrolling through the Internet I stumbled upon horseback riding. There were a couple of options to choose from to frolic in the desert on horseback, but Cascade Trails Mustang Sanctuary caught my eye with one simple word, glamping. Now I have never camped (my family is very much a beach vacation family) and this was my first solo trip, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to try it! I quickly canceled my room, called Cascade Trails Mustang Sanctuary, and booked my glamping tent and a horseback riding session. I was officially a first-time camper!
Location
The Mustang Sanctuary is located on Cascade Road right off 29 Palms Highway, making it the perfect midpoint for both entrances of the park and to visit either 29 Palms town or Joshua Tree! You can enter through the West entrance or the North entrance.
Since it is off the main road and in the middle of the open land, it is in a private area and away from hotels, houses or establishments, making it the perfect out-of-park camping experience.
Tent Quality
The tent qualities are great, up-to-date, and fairly new! They are kept clean, and each campsite that the tent is located at has a great amount of room, including the tents themselves. During the summer,r they get very hot, so be mindful if you decide to travel from June-August that there is no free-flowing air other than the main tent openings and small zipper openings (subject to which accommodation you reserve).
Amenities Included
There are very limited amenities included, as this is a glamping experience. You can expect fresh linens and bedding in the tents when you arrive, but the rest is up to you! I brought a towel, toiletries, and water for my trip. Included in the amenities is a buddy heater for colder months and a solar-powered generator for electronics.
Customer Service
The customer service is great at the ranch. It was easy to book the accommodation online, and the communication was seamless! Marissa, whom I booked my stay, has great recommendations and can help you with any of your needs. There is also someone on the ranch from early morning to late night, tending to the animals and available to the guests if they have any questions or need assistance.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation to the Sanctuary. Make sure you have access to a car to drive; I rented one through Enterprise. There is public transportation within Joshua Tree National Park and 29 Palms. Read more here.
Price
El Dorado (Tent) – $127.20 per night (up to four-night stay)
This is the tent I chose to stay in while visiting Joshua Tree, and although it was meant for 2+ people, I had more than enough room for my belongings and felt very comfortable overall! The bed was comfortable, and there were some furniture pieces to put my electronics on, and the tent even included card games to play. Although it was a little hot, I was so satisfied as this was my first time ever sleeping in a tent, using an outdoor shower,r and camping in general! I feel like it helped me prepare for when I go actual camping one day.
- Up to 4 guests
- Queen bed and 2 twin pull-outs
- Private outdoor shower
- Picnic table
- Hammocks
- Generator for electricity
- Propane grill
- Heater (Winter months)
- Fire pit
- A portable toilet shared by the campsite
La Estrella (2 Tents together) – $127.20 per night (up to four-night stay)
- Up to 4 guests
- Queen bed and 2 twin pull-outs
- Private outdoor shower
- Outdoor seating area
- Generator for electricity
- Heater (Winter months)
- Fire pit
- Portable toilet shared by the campsite
La Luna (Geodesic Dome) – $217.30 per night (up to four-night stay)
- Up to 4 guests
- Queen bed
- Full-size futon
- Twin-size air mattress
- Picnic table
- Private outdoor shower and sink
- Propane grill
- Fire pit
- Private portable toilet
- Equipped with battery tanks for electricity
- Buddy Heater Tank
- A portable toilet shared by the campsite
Oasis (Tent) – $111.30 per night (up to four-night stay)
- Up to 2 guests
- Queen bed
- Charcoal grill
- Outdoor seating
- Fire pit
- Solar lights
- Buddy Heater
- Propane is available for purchase or bring your own
- A portable toilet shared by the campsite
Durango (Tent) – $111.30 per night (up to four-night stay)
- Up to 2 guests
- Queen bed
- Outdoor seating and a picnic table
- Firepit
- Solar lights
- Buddy Heater
- Propane is available for purchase or bring your own
- A portable toilet shared by the campsite
Desert Daydream (Tent) – $111.30 per night (up to four-night stay)
- Up to 2 guests
- Queen bed
- Outdoor seating and a picnic table
- Firepit
- Solar lights
- Buddy Heater
- Propane is available for purchase, or bring your own
- A portable toilet shared by the campsite
Campsites (Land) – $31.80 per night
- Up to 1-4 guests
- Bring your own camping gear and essentials
- Can fit a camper or trailer up to 30 ft max
- Fire pit
- A portable toilet shared by the campsite
To view more details about each accommodation, click here
Safety
I felt safe on the site as it is remote from the road, and the ranch is big! There was also an employee usually on the site from early morning to late night. I kept all my valuables locked in my car just in case.
Popular Attractions
- Horseback Riding at the ranch
- Photoshoot with horses on the ranch
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Integration
- Joshua Tree Town
- 29 Palms Town
Check-in/Check-out Process
Check-in time is at 3:00 pm, and check out is 11:00 am. If you are visiting during the hotter months, the ranch asks you to check in at a later time (around 6:00-7:00 pm) because of the heat. It is a lot cooler to pack your belongings at your campsite when the desert cools down and not in the blazing sun. The entrance of the Mustang Sanctuary is never closed off, so you may come in and out of the ranch as you please.
Airport/Port pickup & drop off
There is no airport pickup or drop off at the ranch. There is general parking at the ranch and at your campsite.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
- Once in a lifetime experience to stay on a ranch and in a tent with a variety of animals roaming the premises.
- Beautiful view of the sky and stars at night
- Tents can fit 2-4 people comfortably
- The ranch is in a safe location
- Location is in the middle of the two entrances to Joshua Tree National Park
- Close driving distance to shops and restaurants
- Discounts on horseback riding at the ranch with accommodation
- Ranch encourages a full camping experience
- Ranch employees and volunteers are very kind and helpful
Negatives
- Tents/accommodations can be very hot during the summer months
- No private bathroom (I didn’t mind this as it was part of the camping experience)
- Not directly located in Joshua Tree
- If you are not an animal person, I recommend not staying here as you can hear animals all night
Joshua Tree is a place I plan to return to as I only had twenty-four hours to explore as much as possible and there was a lot more to see. Although the heat was a little unbearable and it was my first solo and camping trip, I will forever have the best memory of camping at Mustang Sanctuary and can’t wait to return. Upon returning to the Big Apple, NYC, I couldn’t stop raving about my experience and immediately wanted to book a group trip for all my friends to share the same experience I had. From the unique landscapes like dramatic rock formations and whimsical Joshua trees to the exciting events to experience like horseback riding in the desert and searching for UFOs camp side, I will never regret canceling my perfectly air-conditioned hotel room and glamping at Cascade Mustang Sanctuary.
