Pioneertown Lodge and Stables

Gene Autry slept here. So did Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Barbara Stanwyck, "The Cisco Kid" duo Duncan Renaldo and Leo Carrillo, "Annie Oakley's" Gail Davis and a host of other western film and television stars.

Built in 1946 by Gene Autry and Roy Rogers as part of a western movie set, Pioneertown Lodge and Stables (formerly the Pioneertown Motel) also housed actors during production of such films as "Barbed Wire", "On Top of Old Smokey", "Jeopardy" and many of "The Cisco Kid" series.

Surrounded by the natural beauty of dramatic rock formations, cactus, Joshua trees and sagebrush, Pioneertown's elevation is 4200 feet in the High Mojave Desert and located 6 miles from Joshua Tree National Park and 30 miles north of Palm Springs (it's 15 degrees cooler than Palm Springs!)

Pioneertown Lodge and Stables is the perfect horse lovers getaway!

The diverse terrain offers seemingly endless trails to meet every equestrian's challenges from flat dry creek washes to steep hillsides. The beauty and quiet of the desert and the pristine full moon nights provide an ideal horseback riding environment. Its proximity to Riverside County makes it a popular get-a-way destination with Norco horse folks. If you bring your own horse boarding is available with corrals right outside your door.

Western nostalgia booms in the historic town of Pioneertown. The functioning western movie set complete with saloon and general store hosts a plethora of weekend activities. Every Saturday and Sunday, the Pioneertown Posse stages western themed shows including a gunfight on Mane Street. Shops and gold panning also can be found on Mane Street. In the center of town is the Pioneer Bowl, a bowling alley built in 1949 by Roy Rogers which bears the distinction of being the oldest, longest working wooden lanes in the United States. Old fashioned carriage rides down Mane Street are provided by Palm Springs Carriages.

Live music can be enjoyed weekend nights at legendary roadhouse Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace. Or you can catch Deputy Boots & Sheriff Britches camping in a 1923 Model T Dream Camper (dreamcamper.com) off Mane Street. They will sing you your favorite western ditty.

The original log cabin structure of the Pioneertown Lodge and Stables hasn't changed much in 40 years and retains its 1940/50's charm and ambience. Each room is uniquely decorated with an authentic western personality, a mix of antiques, retro and cowboy memorabilia referred to by the Lodge as "rustic bohemian cowboy." All rooms are air conditioned with satellite tv, wifi service, private bath and shower and kitchenettes (refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, some rooms have sinks and stoves.) The Lodge is also "dog friendly" for well behaved canines.

Each room echoes the spirit of the western stars who stayed there. Room #9, Gene Autry nicknamed 'club 9' because he played cards and had cocktails with the crew after a long day's shoot. The poker table and chips still sits there as if waiting for a hand to played.

After a day's horseback ride across desert sand, you can dust off your boots and saddle and "set" yourself in the rocker on the front porch to enjoy those spectacular desert nights. Feel the warm breeze, see the clear starry sky and catch the spirit of westerns past. Enjoy a sound night's sleep and imagine what Gene or Roy thought about when they drifted off to sleep.

For more information visit: www.pioneertownlodgeandstables.com