Apple Valley Inn

Roy Rogers — born Leonard Slye in Ohio in 1911 — became Hollywood's King of the Cowboys through dozens of B-Western films and the long-running Roy Rogers Show TV series. Dale Evans was his on-screen and off-screen partner, the Queen of the West, and writer of their theme song Happy Trails. The couple settled in Apple Valley in the 1950s, drawn by the high-desert climate, horse country, and developer Newt Bass's Western-themed resort vision. They were major investors and ambassadors for Apple Valley, hosting countless celebrity friends — Gene Autry, John Wayne, Dale Robertson, Roy Acuff, and dozens of other Western and country stars — at the Apple Valley Inn through its midcentury heyday.

The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum opened in Apple Valley in 1967 and operated there for 36 years, displaying Roy's personal collection of saddles, costumes, firearms, Trigger (the famous palomino, taxidermied and on display), Bullet (the dog), and the couple's personal memorabilia. The museum relocated to Branson, Missouri in 2003 after the family decided the Ozark tourist market was a better fit, and Apple Valley lost one of its most beloved attractions. Despite the museum's departure, the Roy and Dale legacy remains deeply embedded in the community — streets, parks, and the high school's mascot all reference the couple. Both Roy (d. 1998) and Dale (d. 2001) are buried at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Apple Valley.

The Apple Valley Inn preserves and celebrates this history through period photographs, memorabilia displays in the lobby and dining room, and a quiet curatorial attention to the property's mid-century Western character. Staying here is the closest you can get today to the Apple Valley that Roy and Dale knew.

The inn occupies a sprawling, lushly landscaped property with the historic main lodge at the center and individual cabin-style rooms arrayed around the pool and gardens. The main lodge contains the restored dining room (operating as a restaurant for breakfast and dinner), the front desk and lobby with historical displays, and a small bar and lounge area. Cabins are detached or semi-detached units, each with mid-century Western decor — wood paneling, ranch-style furniture, Pendleton-inspired textiles — updated with modern bathrooms, comfortable bedding, climate control, and Wi-Fi.

The heated pool is the centerpiece of the property — large, well-maintained, surrounded by mature trees and Adirondack chairs. Guests gravitate here in the late afternoon for sun and conversation. A lawn area hosts occasional weddings and small events; check the calendar before booking to avoid wedding weekends if you want a quieter stay. Restaurant hours vary — breakfast is typically available for guests, dinner several nights per week. The food is solid American/Western fare; not destination-dining but a convenient and atmospheric option without leaving the property.

Rates vary by season: $140-180 in summer, $180-220 in the cooler peak Route 66 travel seasons of spring and fall. The cabins command a premium over the main-lodge rooms but are worth it for the experience. Book directly via the inn's website or by phone for best rates. The inn is independently operated; you won't find it on the major chain booking platforms with the same rate flexibility.

Apple Valley is a short 10-minute drive east of Victorville on Highway 18, just off the I-15 / Route 66 corridor. From the inn, you can be at Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe for breakfast in 15 minutes, at the California Route 66 Museum in 20 minutes, and at Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch in 30 minutes. The Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley (different from the regional Mojave River Valley Museum in Barstow) is 5 minutes from the inn and worth a visit for its Roy Rogers exhibits and high-desert history.

For Route 66 travelers planning a multi-night stay to explore the High Desert thoroughly, the Apple Valley Inn makes an excellent base. Day one: Victorville's Old Town, the California Route 66 Museum, and Emma Jean's. Day two: drive north on National Trails Highway through Oro Grande (Bottle Tree Ranch), Helendale, and Barstow (Route 66 Mother Road Museum and Calico Ghost Town). Day three: descend the Cajon Pass on the original 1926 alignment toward San Bernardino, Rialto's Wigwam Motel, and onward toward Pasadena and Santa Monica.

The inn is also a popular wedding and event venue — check the calendar before booking, as wedding weekends can affect the atmosphere and dining room availability. Pet policy is variable; ask in advance if traveling with animals. Parking is free and ample on the property. The inn does not have a true business center or large conference facilities — this is a leisure-and-history destination, not a corporate hotel.