[quote=FlyerInHi]$109 is expensive for the middle is nowhere, if it’s not inside the park where the operator has to pay concession fees. Considering cheap real estate, the hotel owner is getting good returns if he can charge that much everyday.[/quote]
There’s no lodging inside the park… just camping. So the motels outside can charge higher because there are a lot of folks who don’t want to tent camp. (ANd the reservations for tent camp spots book up well in advance.)
My brother used to spend the week between Christmas and New Years at Joshua Tree with his friends for about 20 years in a row. He had it down to a science when to reserve the camp site.