Joshua Tree Golf: Desert Courses Worth the Drive

When most travelers think of Joshua Tree, they picture boulder-strewn hikes, vintage Airbnbs, and maybe a sound bath—not golf courses tucked in the high desert. But if you’re looking for a scenic and surprisingly playable round near Joshua Tree National Park, there are a few unexpected gems worth swinging through.

From Hawk’s Landing in Yucca Valley to Roadrunner Dunes in Twentynine Palms—and even the unique, camo-wrapped experience at the Desert Winds Golf Course on the 29 Palms Marine Base—this trio of desert courses offers quirky layouts, wild vistas, and a welcome escape from the Palm Springs golf scene.

Whether you’re a local looking for a relaxed weekend round or a traveler searching for “Joshua Tree golf courses” or “best golf near Twentynine Palms,” these courses deliver something rare: golf that’s affordable, uncrowded, and deeply rooted in the landscape.

Hawk’s Landing Golf Club, Yucca Valley

Don’t let the name fool you—this isn’t a landing strip but a stylized 12-hole oasis carved into the high desert, roughly 30 minutes from Palm Springs.

Designed by Cary Bickler in 2015 around an original 1957 Roscoe Smith layout, Hawk’s Landing mixes par‑3s and long par‑5s with water hazards and native vegetation. The intense green fairways are offset by sandy, scrubby terrain that doubles as wildlife habitat. You might spot roadrunners, quail, or even bighorn sheep on a good day.

Each hole leans into the desert theme, with names like “Desert Tortoise” and “Ocotillo.” It’s not gimmicky—it’s intentional. This course is made for time-flexible locals and desert travelers alike. You can play 6 holes and bounce, finish a 12-hole loop, or play it twice for a full 18.

The clubhouse is polished, the carts are in great shape, and the Roost patio bar is a great post-round hang. It’s not Pebble Beach, but it’s one of the only desert courses with personality and solid course conditions in the Morongo Basin.

Roadrunner Dunes Golf Course, Twentynine Palms

Roadrunner Dunes is a 9-hole public course just outside the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park’s northern corridor. It’s the kind of place that looks like a mirage from the highway—until you walk onto its surprisingly lush fairways.

Three lakes, a smattering of bunkers, and a couple well-placed trees give the flat desert course a decent set of teeth. It’s approachable for beginners but not completely without challenge. The vibe here is laid-back and local.

You won’t find any valet parking or country club exclusivity. This is municipal golf with a heartbeat, where regulars bring their own lunch and the pro shop guy knows your name after one visit.

If you’re a traveler looking for a quick morning round before hiking in the park, this course makes for a great warm-up to the day—or a mellow wind-down afterward. Just don’t expect a practice facility or premium conditions. Roadrunner is about accessibility, not extravagance.

Desert Winds Golf Course, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (29 Palms)

This might be the most offbeat golf experience in the High Desert—and maybe the most interesting. Desert Winds is a regulation 18-hole course located on the Marine base in Twentynine Palms. Yes, you read that right.

Playing here requires advance base clearance and military access (or a sponsor). That extra hurdle means you’ll be golfing in peace—there are rarely crowds, and the layout cuts through a quiet, dusty expanse where the only noise might be distant artillery or wind slicing across the Mojave.

The course itself is no joke. It has a driving range open 24/7, a large putting green, decent carts, and a fully stocked clubhouse. Some holes are wide open; others cut through tight corridors of creosote and mesquite. One tee box even overlooks a stationary Army tank, reminding you exactly where you are.

This isn’t just “golf on base.” It’s desert solitude, punctuated by military precision and a course that exceeds expectations—especially considering how remote it is.

How They Compare