Seekers of solace and spiritual relief have long been drawn to Joshua Tree, an unincorporated stretch of Southern California within the high desert. The region’s distinctive architecture — a mix of geodesic domes, midcentury ranch houses and structures built into rock formations — emphasizes these mystical surroundings by incorporating nature into design.

Castles, however, are rare to find around these parts.

There is one notable exception: the Castle House, a short-term rental that lets guests stay at one of two “guard tower” turrets on an expansive property near Joshua Tree National Park. The listing describes this pair of tiny homes, which have appeared on HGTV, as a “medieval piece of architecture” that “blends indoor-outdoor living with an emphasis on entertaining.” From listing photos, at least one of the towers had an accessible rooftop, equipped with chairs so guests could drink in sunset-streaked views of the distant mountains.

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The prospect of staying in a castle turret in the Mojave Desert seemed quirky enough to warrant a visit, so I checked in for a one-night stay in late March via short-term rental platform Airbnb. Unfortunately, the idea proved to be much more charming in theory than in execution.

A short-term desert Airbnb that resembles a castle near Joshua Tree National Park, March 24, 2026.

A short-term desert Airbnb that resembles a castle near Joshua Tree National Park, March 24, 2026.

A short-term desert Airbnb that resembles a castle near Joshua Tree National Park, March 24, 2026.

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The turrets are........

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