Cabin

Rancho Rockotillo - Breakfast in the Boulders next-door to National Park !

Cabin with a hot tub, near Joshua Tree National Park

Photo gallery for Rancho Rockotillo - Breakfast in the Boulders next-door to National Park !

Rancho Rockotillo - your Homestead away from Home!
This kitchen is stocked for your stay!    Nicholas James Photography


Additional dining chairs chairs on site!    Nicholas James Photography
Everywhere you look - views!    Nicholas James Photography
Cooling clerestory windows fill the cabin with light! Nicholas James Photography

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 30.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
Joshua Tree, CA
  • Place, Joshua Tree National Park West Entrance
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Joshua Tree Courthouse
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Airport, Palm Springs, CA (PSP-Palm Springs Intl.)
    ‪57 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 3)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Rancho Rockotillo - Breakfast in the Boulders next-door to National Park !

Whether you’re a rock scrambler, a trail rambler, or just want to soak up the vibes of our peaceful desert paradise, Rancho Rockotillo will soothe your soul. Original Joshua Tree homesteaders believed that the more giant rocks and boulders, the greater the desireability of their property – and our newly restored 1950’s homestead cabin sits steps away from some of the most towering, beautiful boulders bordering the park.
Perfect for writer/musician/artist retreat, or romantic getaway - sleeps 1 - 3 in clean, light-filled, airy space with full view windows and doors. Newly refreshed comfortable cabin with open bedroom/common area includes all of which can be seen from the comfort of our latest, brand new, super comfortable Nectar premium memory foam mattress/queen-sized bed, perfect for guests of all sizes and sleeping positions. There's also a cozy full-size convertible sofa in the same common cabin area right next to this platform bed, so please note that these are not in private bedrooms. Fully-equipped open kitchen features breakfast bar seating and all new appliances, along with all the cookware, spices and tools needed to whip up a meal, separate dining area/work station, wi-fi and both French press and pour over coffee makers. We provide the coffee and tea, you bring the food! Soak, chill and stargaze in the large, well-maintained Jacuzzi hot tub with powerful jets and amazing view, enjoy the rainfall showerhead and boulder seating in the cabin's cool open shower bathroom, and play your favorite music from your smartphone or CDs on the in-house Bluetooth stereo.
Rancho Rockotillo offers acres to roam, private hiking trails, and of course stunning visuals including ocotillo, pine, eucalyptus, juniper, fruit and Joshua Trees as well as jackrabbits, tortoises, chuckwallas, coyotes, bobcats, bighorn sheep and yes, even the occasional glimpse of a mountain lion. The Rancho sits less than 3/4 mile from the national park's west entrance, and 7 minutes from the vibrant Joshua Tree Village cafe, art gallery, farmers market and nightlife scene. The music of the wind playing through the canyons, along with our living soundtrack provided by doves, quail, owls, ravens, hawks, hummingbirds and singing coyotes, will relax and inspire, making Rancho Rockotillo the perfect short or long term artist, musician or writer's retreat, as well as a couple's oasis. And the starry night sky must be seen to be believed – the Milky Way in all its majesty, and if you time it right, spectacular all night meteor showers to take your breath away!

Redesigning and refurbishing the simple cabin where a family of four adventurous homesteaders once lived has truly been a labor of love for us, from my husband Curt’s custom door-mount coat hooks made from antique railroad spikes to his handcast concrete bathroom counter. And we’re proud to have created unique furniture and cool desert decor from recycled cabin features and local Sky Village swapmeet finds, too! The cabin's rear wall now has the perfect huge picture window for wildlife watching, stargazing and desert dreaming, plus the new soaring ceilings with clerestory window accents allow passage of light and a cooling breeze throughout. Fully draped sliding glass doors to the east also open the central cabin space to spectacular sunrises, an outdoor seating and propane BBQ grill area with comfy full-size hammock, and even more amazing scenic vistas to enjoy with pillars of weather-worn rocks sculpted by time. There’s also a fun, cool story behind the 900 pound boulder conveniently placed in the bathroom's open shower as well – just one more one-of-a-kind aspect of Rancho Rockotillo!

We’ve waited almost 20 years from when we first settled in to renew the original homestead cabin on our property and to invite you, our very special guests, to come share and enjoy your own memorable time in rural Joshua Tree. Curt and I also have a house on the property and enjoy visiting as often as we possibly can, but there will only be as much interaction as you desire. Whether we are onsite or off, we look forward to instantly responding to any questions you may have. And for your security and protection, we now have a Ring Video Doorbell, but rest assured this is our ONLY camera on the property, and we only confirm front of door activity upon arrival. Also please note – due to liability issues and as stated in our house rules, we are unable to welcome any non-registered guests or extra vehicles onto the property without prior consent. Also, this is the SoCal desert, and local wildlife you may encounter on and off the Rancho property can possibly include bobcats, coyotes, rattlesnakes, mountain lions and various insects. Please stay aware when out and about! Thanks for understanding.
We hope you’ll visit our Joshua Tree haven soon, and make it your high desert homestead away from home!
Thank you,
Laurie & Curt

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Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Kids must be pre-approved and 100% supervised !
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Events

No events allowed
No film/photo shoots-no non-registered guests
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Pets

No pets allowed
No animals at this time - we have wildlife!
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
20 mph on dirt roads. No loud music, no fires except for our propane BBQ, no drones, no feeding/disturbing wildlife, no guns or weapons!
Guests must sign hot tub safety/liability doc prior to arrival. No film/photo shoots w/out prior approval !
No All Terrain or Off Highway Vehicles.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: no film/photo shoots-no non-registered guests
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number CESTRP-2021-02733

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Joshua Tree

Located in Monument Manor, a neighbourhood in Joshua Tree, this cabin is in a rural area. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Joshua Tree National Park and Joshua Tree National Park West Entrance, while World Famous Crochet Museum and Joshua Tree Art Gallery are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Joshua Tree, CA

What's nearby

  • Joshua Tree National Park West Entrance - 3 min drive - 1.9 km
  • Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center - 9 min drive - 8.6 km
  • Hi-Desert Cultural Center - 10 min drive - 9.7 km
  • Joshua Tree Courthouse - 13 min drive - 13.0 km
  • Hi-Desert Medical Center - 13 min drive - 13.0 km

Getting around

  • Palm Springs, CA (PSP-Palm Springs Intl.) - 62 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Más o Menos - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Joshua Tree Saloon - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪The Station - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Joshua Tree Coffee Company - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪JT Country Kitchen - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Rancho Rockotillo - Breakfast in the Boulders next-door to National Park ! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Rancho Rockotillo - Breakfast in the Boulders next-door to National Park !?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Rancho Rockotillo - Breakfast in the Boulders next-door to National Park !?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Rancho Rockotillo - Breakfast in the Boulders next-door to National Park ! located?

Located in Monument Manor, this cabin is 1.8 mi (2.8 km) from Joshua Tree National Park West Entrance and 1.8 mi (2.9 km) from Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center and World Famous Crochet Museum are also within 6 miles (10 km).

About the host

Hosted by Laurie Kaye

Host profile image
My husband Curt and I love a good adventure whether it's ocean kayaking or desert trail hiking, and have been splitting time between our Joshua Tree haven and home in Los Angeles for nearly 20 years. Curt's an avid fat-tire mountain biker as well, and knows all the best trails in the area. We love to head to the Joshua Tree Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, the local swap meet, the drive-in movies in 29 Palms, and catch live music at the Beatnik Cafe, Joshua Tree Saloon, Pappy & Harriet's and other local venues. Our life motto? Life's uncertain - eat dessert first!

Why they chose this property

When we first came up the driveway all those years ago, a little voice told me I was home before we even stepped through the front door. Both Curt and I have always been passionate about Joshua Tree and the surrounding California desert, with its stark beauty and starry skies. We feel so lucky to be able to have our home base here, and to share it with visitors who are also drawn here from around the world!

What makes this property unique

There's so much to explore and enjoy at Rancho Rockotillo, from its amazing canyon views and trails to the rocks and boulders that surround it. Breathtaking, inspirational sunrises and sunsets wait right outside the front door, which is actually the homestead cabin's original entryway. We're just 3/4 of a mile from the National Park entrance, and about 7 minutes from the restaurants, art galleries and live music venues of downtown Joshua Tree!

Languages:

English

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