Space to be yourself.

Space to do what you love.

Where it all started

Whenever life felt too full, I kept finding myself back in Joshua Tree National Park. The desert became the place where I could reset. The fresh air, the quiet, the beauty — every visit felt like a deep exhale.

As friends and family began joining me, it became clear the experience wasn’t unique to me. There was something about the landscape that made people feel renewed, at ease, and inspired.

That shared experience became the starting point for WKNDR.

A cartoon illustration of a turtle with orange body and shell outlined in black, showing detailed shell patterns.
Abstract beige brush strokes on black background
Seven beige breadsticks of varying lengths on a black background

Why the desert matters

A hammock tied between two wooden posts in a desert landscape with mountains in the background and a clear blue sky.

The desert naturally creates room for whatever you need. For some, that means:

  • hiking, climbing, and exploring

  • resting, reconnecting, and resetting

  • spending uninterrupted time with the people you love

  • finding inspiration in the beauty of nature

  • feeling the relief that comes from having room to breathe

We created WKNDR to support all of those experiences.

What we offer

Cozy Desert Stays

Comfortable homes minutes from Joshua Tree National Park — quiet landing places for exploring the area or slowing down for a while.

Helpful Guides

Practical guides that make it easy to discover trails, viewpoints, stargazing spots, and local highlights without the overwhelm of planning.

Stories & Field Notes

Small reflections from the landscape that reflect the WKNDR mindset: slowing down, noticing more, reconnecting with what matters.

Our Philosophy

Weekends are for reconnecting with nature, with yourself, and with the people who matter most. They’re for lying beneath shooting stars, watching sunrises and sunsets, wandering through open landscapes, reaching new viewpoints, pursuing what excites you, or doing absolutely nothing at all.

WKNDR is built around a few simple ideas:

  • Room to be yourself. No pressure to perform, plan perfectly, or fit into anyone else’s idea.

  • Freedom to do what you love. Whether that’s climbing, hiking, creating, road-tripping, exploring, or laughing with your favorite people in the middle of nowhere.

  • The restorative power of nature. Quiet landscapes, wide-open sky, shifting light, and fresh air that help you feel grounded and renewed.

  • More moments that matter. Less noise. Less overthinking. More presence, movement, curiosity, and connection.

Illustration of a joshua tree with multiple branches, featuring white spines and yellow flowers at the tips of its branches.
Drawing of an orange cactus with black thorns and a small blue rectangle behind it.
Sketch of a desert plant with beige stems and orange flowers.
Abstract beige plant-like shapes on a black background.
Abstract beige line art resembling plant blades or grass on black background.
Black and white illustration of a bird with a crest on its head, long tail feathers, and distinctive markings on its body.
Close-up of beige-colored grass blades or plant leaves against a black background.
Close-up of beige-colored plant leaves or grass blades.
Illustration of a prickly pear cactus with beige-green pads and orange fruit on top of each pad.
Illustration of a stylized orange and black striped scorpion with a raised tail and pincers.

A simple invitation

If you’re curious about this place, start with our guides. Follow what interests you and take what’s useful. And if the desert feels like somewhere you want to settle in for a bit, you’re welcome to stay at one of our homes — for a night, a few days, or however long you need.

Whether you’re planning a first trip or returning for your tenth, WKNDR is simply an invitation to explore the desert in your own way.

How we came to be

WKNDR was founded by sisters Hilary and Emily Dell, who — like many people — only have weekends to get outside and want to make the most of them. Their different relationships with nature led to one shared goal: create simple, welcoming tools that help visitors enjoy a quick trip into unfamiliar terrain.