“The Thunderbird Retreat Lodge Ranch House + Saloon was exactly what we were looking for – an escape to the desert and a visit to the park. It is fairly secluded down a dirt road, but Lori will guide you right there easily. The house is quaint with a lot of sleeping space. One of the big draws is the property with the saloon/ghost town out back. We spent a majority of the warm days and evening hanging out there, playing games and looking out over the desert/mountains… Overall, couldn’t recommend this place enough!” (March 2017)

“This place is the perfect Joshua Tree hideaway. Went with my girlfriend and two small dogs. The large yard around the Rock House allowed the dogs plenty of safe room to play and roam without worrying about them. The location couldn’t be better, walking distance to the park and trails and also close to town. The house itself had a lot of cool vintage artifacts and interesting oddities but was very comfortable. We wanted to get out of LA for a weekend and experience something different and this place was the perfect antidote.” May 2016

“Thank you SO much for the wonderful hospitality! We had the BEST time at the little Shell House! It was the perfect little getaway escape and thanks to the amenities provided, we had everything we needed and wanted. The Shell House is so cute and quirky and has so much whimsical charm. We absolutely fell in love with the magical land and are already planning our next trip out to Thunderbird Lodge Retreat! You’ll definitely be hearing from us again! Thanks again for everything!!!”  -March 2017

“Lori and this property were amazing! She left the lights on for us after I messaged her telling her we would be late and the place was amazing. Very secluded, fun exploring right out the backyard, and plenty of room inside for our group. The place is very unique and comfortable. Highly recommend if you are looking for a place with no neighbors and some great star gazing.”

“Lori’s home was perfect for what we were looking for on our weekend getaway to Joshua Tree. The home was nestled on beautiful desert and was far enough away from the closest neighbors to make you feel totally secluded in the desert around you. The house itself had everything you needed inside and out. Lori was very kind and even stopped by to make sure everything was in order. I would definitely come back with my children and stay longer. It truly was a desert paradise.”

“My friends and I loved staying at Thunderbird Lodge Retreat! From the quirky details of the space to the peaceful location, we had a wonderful and relaxing time. Lori was helpful, accommodating, and available should we need anything. I would definitely recommend Thunderbird Lodge to anyone looking for an awesome home away from home that has loads of charm and character!”

“The Shell is, quite simply, out of this world. The cabin, the views, the setting, the porch, the night sky, the many little artefacts both inside and out, all combine to make this one of the most special places we have stayed. For anyone wanting to explore Joshua Tree, this couldn’t be better located – just a short drive from the entrance. And if you want to sit out under the night sky as if you were camping (but with all the benefits of a roof and a comfy bed), this truly is very, very special.

We hope to return again some day!”

“Lori made sure that the house was ready for our arrival and was fully stocked with all of the amenities. The house is quirky and random, in the best way possible. The view from the back patio is breathtakingly beautiful, and we brought our dogs who had the best time running around in the back chasing each other around all the trees and bushes. I would definitely recommend this place for a stay. The national park entrance is only a 10 minute drive, and pioneer town is about 20 minutes away, so everything is pretty close too.”

“Our older teens loved the quirky, artsy décor. For a family vacation, that won us points with our kids right out of the gate. We hiked directly from the cottage into the nearby hills. (More points.) Getting there felt like an adventure (in a good way) because of the dirt roads, even though it is close to town — and we found it easily in the dark by following Lori’s excellent directions. Plenty of room for our family of five. Beautiful desert location. Lori was very helpful and responsive to our questions.”