Palm Springs is the ultimate weekend getaway for RVers living in the Southern California area—or if you’re headed on a California coast RV road trip. The destination is great for families and couples, offering everything you could need at your fingertips while being immersed in a unique landscape.
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Campground Recommendations
From luxury RV resorts to camping on public lands, there are options for every type of camping style and RV size in Palm Springs.
Emerald Desert RV Resort
If you’re looking for creature comforts, and then some for your Palm Springs RV trip, then the centrally-located Emerald Desert RV Resort is a great choice. It’s pet-friendly and all sites have concrete pads and full hookups, including sewer. You can choose from Premium to Super Platinum site type, depending on your RV size and desired level of privacy.
- Location: Palm Desert
- Type of campground: Resort
- Number of RV campsites: 255
- Price per night: From $75
- Additional Amenities: Pickleball courts, heated outdoor pools, hot tubs, event center, tennis courts, adult-only pool, fitness center, putting green, WiFi, and more
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The Lovelight Ranch (Hipcamp)
Described as a “hippie paradise” The Lovelight Ranch on Hipcamp is a serene spot for those who prefer camping on private land. With only a handful of other sites, this is private desert camping at its finest. This Hipcamp is pet-friendly and some sites have both electrical and water hookups. Did we mention that the stargazing is incredible?
- Location: Desert Hot Springs
- Type of campground: Private land
- Number of RV campsites: 8
- Price per night: From $45
- Additional Amenities: Swimming pool, shared outdoor kitchen and fire ring, bath facilities, add-on spiritual experiences i.e. sound bath
Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park
The waterfront regional park has some of the best views in Palm Springs with easy access to all that the area has to offer. The park is pet-friendly and is prime for fishing and hiking. RVers can select water-only or full hookup sites for convenience.
- Location: La Quinta
- Type of campground: Public
- Number of RV campsites: 96
- Price per night: From $30
- Additional Amenities: Fishing, picnic area, bocce, showers, grill/fire rings, dump station
Things To Do
There’s no shortage of outdoor activities on a vacation in Palm Springs, but you’ll have trouble fitting them all into one weekend. Palm Springs is known as a golf destination with more than 100 courses, many of which are located near luxury RV resorts in the area.
The city is home to well-known major events and festivals like Coachella, Stagecoach, Desert X, and more. Palm Springs is also less than 1 hour away from the famed Joshua Tree National Park. It’s possible to visit the park for a day hike from Palm Springs, but if you ask us, it deserves its own RV trip.
For those looking to hit the trails and explore the surrounding area in a weekend, here are the best things to do in Palm Springs on an RV trip.
Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve
As part of the larger, BLM-managed Coachella Valley Preserve, the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve is managed by a non-profit and is where you can find the Thousand Palms and McCallum Oases.
The McCallum Trail is a kid-friendly trail that’s just under 2 miles. It leads you through a spectacular desert oasis to Simone Pond. Keep an eye out for rare reptiles and birds along the way.
- Address: 29200 Thousand Palms Canyon Road, Thousand Palms
- Hours: Vary by season; Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May through October
- Price: Free; donations encouraged
- Important info: There is no parking lot but street parking is allowed; no pets allowed
Indian Canyons
There are more than 60 hiking trails available in the Indian Canyons—comprising the Andreas, Palm, and Murray canyons. These trails are located on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation and are managed by the tribe. Kids will enjoy the Junior Ranger program and activity book.
The Murray Canyon Trail is a 4.7-mile moderate hike that leads to the Seven Sisters Waterfall, while the 1-mile Andreas Trail is suitable for kids and takes hikers through the world’s second-largest California Fan Palm oasis.
- Address: Agua Caliente Visitor’s Counter at Palm Springs Visitor Center, 2901 North Palm Canyon, Palm Springs
- Hours: Vary by season; Daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except from July through September (open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only)
- Price: $12/adult, $6 children
- Important info: Make sure to bring adequate water; free ranger-led talks are available check the website for the current schedule; no pets allowed
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Hop on the world’s largest rotating tramcar for epic views of the city and surrounding area. In 10 minutes, you’ll ascend 2.5 miles to Mountain Station. Once at the top, enjoy the observation deck and natural history museum. Or, there are two restaurants if you want to dine with an epic view. And if you haven’t hit the trails yet, there are 50 miles of hiking trails that you can access from the mountaintop within Mt. San Jacinto State Park.
- Address: 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs
- Hours: Vary by season; Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Price: $35/adult, $21/children
- Important info: Restaurants are open for lunch and dinner; there’s an additional fee for parking; no pets allowed
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Depending on your interests (or if you just need a place to escape the heat), Palm Springs has plenty of museums like the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs Art Museum, and more.
Where To Eat
The Palm Springs dining scene can be overwhelming with the amount of options. If you’re looking to eat outside of the campground, here are a few highlights to consider:
Fine Dining
- 4 Saints in Palm Springs
- Alice B. in Palm Springs
- Pomme Frite in Palm Springs
Pet-Friendly
- The Front Porch in Palm Springs
- FARM Palm Springs in Palm Springs
- The Cafe at Shields in Indio
Casual Dining
- Lulu California Bistro in Palm Springs
- Azure Palm Cafe in Desert Hot Springs
- LaQuinta Brewing Company in Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and La Quinta
Coffee and Breakfast
- Wilma & Frieda in Palm Desert and Palm Springs
- Ernest Coffee in Palm Springs
- IW Coffee in Palm Desert
