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
