Things to Do in 29 Palms
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Twentynine Palms has long fell in the shadow of Joshua Tree. Not any more. It wouldn’t be difficult to argue that there’s more happening in the blossoming Twentynine Palms than anywhere else in the hi-desert.
Yes, 29 Palms gives you easy access to the National Park’s north entrance. But it also has its own food scene, desert shops, live events, old-school entertainment, hiking, art, and one very strange desert themed immersive adventure waiting in plain sight.
Here are some of the best things to do in 29 Palms.
1. Shop!
If you like vintage, design, gifts, desert goods, records or local makers, 29 Palms has an awesome (and very independent) shopping scene.
Essential stops include:
Corner 62
A cluster of shops including White Label Vinyl (excellent selection of vinyls), Scorpion Lollipop (craft Beer, wine, and wacky novelty gifts), Hi-Desert Times (magazines), and Very Very (vintage with a rockstar twist)
Hi-Desert Daydream
A curated local shop with high end desert goods, gifts, and handmade items.
Sun of the Desert
Stylish menswear and gifts, desert style
Delilah’s Vintage
Good for vintage clothing and desert style.
Habitat
A stylish home goods and boutique shop.
Desert General
A strong stop for gifts, books, design-forward desert goods, and local flavor.
2. Eat Your Heart Out
29 Palms has a better food scene than a lot of visitors expect.
A few standouts to consider:
Kitchen in the Desert
Caribbean-inspired upscale food, cocktails, outdoor dining, and frequent events.
Grnd Sqrl
A casual gastropub-style local favorite with food, drinks, and events like open mic nights.
29 Palms Beer Company
Amazing craft beers, plenty of TVs for (not too loud) sporting events, often fun event nigths
Campbell Hill Bakery
A good stop for pastries, coffee, breakfast, or lunch.
Snakebite Roadhouse
Technically in Yucca Valley, but worth mentioning if you’re building a broader High Desert food day around 29 Palms and Joshua Tree.
3. Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Joshua Tree National Park North Entrance
One of the biggest reasons to stay or spend time in 29 Palms is access to Joshua Tree National Park.
Home to tho north entrance of the National Park, it’s especially convenient especially if you don’t want to wait in the long lines of the West Entrance in Joshua Tree.
But venturing into the park isn’t the only way to experience amazing outdoor sites.
Hike the 49 Palms Oasis Trail
The 49 Palms Oasis Trail is one of the best hikes in the area, and it’s easily accessible from 29 Palms without having to dip all the way into the national park, but it still doesn’t get too crowded!
The National Park Service describes it as a difficult 3-mile out-and-back hike with about 300 feet of elevation gain in each direction. The trail climbs over a ridge, drops into a rocky canyon, and leads to a fan palm oasis.
Indian Cove
An often overlooked alcove of Joshua Tree National Park, Indian Cove almost feels like a secret when you realize it doesn’t require a park entrance fee, there are no lines, and the views in the area are positively stunning. If you’re looking for a mellow stroll, try the Indian Cove Nature Trail. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, check out Rattlesnake Canyon.
4. Play an immersive UFO adventure at Hi-Orbit Games
If you’re looking for something weird, cinematic, and completely different, Hi-Orbit Games is an immersive escape adventure and retro video arcade in downtown 29 Palms.
You and your crew step into a retro sci-fi story filled with puzzles, strange transmissions, arcade energy, desert mystery, and UFO weirdness.
It’s a strong fit for:
- Families
- Date night
- Friend groups
- Escape room fans
- Indoor activities
- Hot, cold, or windy desert days
- Anyone looking for something more memorable than another bar stop
Think: escape room meets retro arcade meets 1980s desert UFO movie.
5. Grab drinks in town
For drinks, 29 Palms has several solid options depending on the mood.
29 Palms Beer Company
A local brewery with food, beer, and regular events. Visit 29 Palms currently lists trivia night on Thursdays at 6 p.m.
Más o Menos
Technically in Joshua Tree, but still close enough to include if you’re exploring the broader area.
Snakes and Stars
A stylish local bar with a desert-nightlife feel.
Kitchen in the Desert
Good for cocktails, dinner, and a more atmospheric night out.
As always out here, check hours before driving. Desert business hours can shift.
6. Catch a local event
29 Palms has more going on than people assume.
Depending on the week, you might find:
- Trivia at 29 Palms Beer Company
- Open mic at Grnd Sqrl
- Live music or shows at Kitchen in the Desert
- Farmers Market every Saturday
- Screenings at Smith’s Ranch Drive-In
- Art events
The best move is to check each venue’s current calendar or Instagram before your trip. Events are real, but the specific schedule changes.
7. Build a full 29 Palms day
Here’s a simple itinerary:
Morning:
Hike 49 Palms Oasis
Lunch:
29 Palms Beer Company or Kitchen in the Desert
Afternoon:
Shop Desert General, Habitat, Hi-Desert Daydream, or nearby vintage stores
Evening:
Dinner and drinks at Grnd Sqrl, Kitchen in the Desert, Snakes and Stars, or 29 Palms Beer Company
Night:
Play Hi-Orbit, catch a show, go to trivia, or see a movie at Smith’s Ranch Drive-In
That’s a full desert day without needing to leave town.
Final thought
29 Palms is not just the place you pass through on the way to Joshua Tree National Park.
It’s becoming one of the best bases for a Hi-Desert trip: close to the park, full of local character, and packed with just enough strange, creative, only-in-the-desert energy.
And if you want to step inside that weird desert magic, Hi-Orbit is ready for your crew.
Want more? Check out Best Escape Rooms in the Palm Springs area
Or how about: Best Indoor Activities in the Joshua Tree area