Joshua Tree National Park is one of Southern California’s beauty. The park covers an area of nearly 800,000 acres. Yes, it is a desert, enjoying California’s desert nature is amazing. These magnificent desert vistas provide the perfect landscape for the park’s famous Joshua tree. Every camping is a unique exploration of nature. If you are looking for a break, we bring you to Joshua Tree National Park. Here, Guide to camping in Joshua tree national park.
- Campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park
- Best time for Year to visit
- Camping Reservations
- What should you Bring?
- Which Campground do you Choose?
- Must Know Before you go Joshua Tree National Park
There are several camping choices in Joshua Tree National Park. The best way to explore everything Joshua Tree has to offer is to spending a few nights sleeping under the stars in your tent or RV and immersing yourself in this amazing environment.
We know you’ll be spoiled for choice with nine campgrounds (500 campsites) within the national park, several possibilities for wilderness camping, and neighboring campsites ranging from RV sites to dispersed camping on BLM property.
Continue reading to gain all the information you need to organize the perfect camping vacation in Joshua Tree National Park.
Campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park has nine designated campgrounds. Most of them are in the northwest corner of the park, and the Cottonwood Springs Campground is the only exception to the south of the park.
All of these camps can be accessed through one of the three Joshua Tree entrances to the west, north, and south of the national park.
Below section, we mentioned all the campgrounds that are included in Joshua Tree National Park:
| Campground | Open | Sites Available | Reservations | Cost/Night | Running Water |
| Main Park Area | |||||
| Ryan | All Year | 31 | Yes,(Sept-May) | $20 | No |
| Jumbo Rocks | All Year | 124 | Yes,(Sept-May) | $20 | No |
| Hidden Valley | All Year | 44 | First-come, first-saved | $15 | No |
| Belle | Sept-May | 18 | First-come, first-saved | $15 | No |
| White Tank | Sept-May | 15 | First-come, first-saved | $15 | No |
| Sheep Pass | All Year | 6(group only) | Yes (Yes Round) | $35-$50 | No |
| North Entrance | |||||
| Indian Cove | All Year | 101 | Yes,(Sept-May) | $25 | No |
| West Entrance | |||||
| Black Rock | All Year | 99 | Yes,(Sept-May) | $25 | Yes |
| South Entrance | |||||
| Cottonwood | All Year | 62 | Yes,(Sept-May) | $25 | Yes |
Best time for Year to visit
The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is from October to November and from March to May. Unlike most national parks, the Joshua Tree is less active in the summer due to the extreme heat.
Although sometimes closed during the hottest days of summer. The maximum time for camping on the Joshua tree is from October to May when the temperature is most moderate.
You can visit the park all year round. It can always be open and accessible. However, some months are less pleasant due to the heat and other seasons can be a bit busy.
There are nearly 500 camps in Joshua Tree National Park, many of which are first-timers and first-timers. Reservations from September to May are only accepted for Blackrock, Indian Cove, Sheep Pass, and Kapunwood Group Campgrounds.
Camping Reservations
Joshua Tree camping reservations are challenging to get by Because all campgrounds provide them.
During the peak camping season, which runs from the end of August to the beginning of June, six of the Joshua Tree National Park campsites need advanced reservations. These campgrounds are Black Rock, Indian Cove, Cottonwood, Jumbo Rocks, Ryan, and Sheep Pass Campgrounds.
It’s worth noting that the Ryan Campground recently implemented a reservation system during the busy season.
White Tank, Belle, and Hidden Valley campsites do not take reservations and are available on a first-come, first-served basis all year.
Worth noting that campgrounds might be closed during the warmest months of the year, and many of them run on a reduced capacity, so you should expect fewer campsites to be available.
From May to September(Also during the summer off-season ), all campgrounds are first-come, first-served. The only exceptions are the group campsites at Indian Cove, Cottonwood, and Sheep Pass, which need reservations all year.
Reservations can be arranged up to 6 months in advance at Recreation.gov. If you want to camp on a holiday, a weekend, or any day of the week in the spring, it is strongly advised that you reserve a site. From February to May, we have a very active spring season.
What should you Bring?
The most important thing we need to remember is that Joshua Tree National Park is a desert. Next, you must consider which campground best suits your needs. It also plays an important role in ensuring that you have good equipment. The list includes several environmentally specific options for the park’s desert backdrop.
Here are some of our favorite essential things for camping in Joshua Tree:
- Portable Water containers – These portable water containers are a lifesaver in camps without a water source.
- Joshua Tree Guidebook – A good guidebook will help you plan your perfect trip to Joshua Tree.
- Outdoor pop-up Canopy – The sun can be scorching in Joshua Tree! There won’t be much shade in the park, so take a portable shade structure to make your own!
- Portable Wheeled Cooler – The temperatures require the use of a suitable cooler.
- Coleman Gas Camping Stove – Cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner on a reliable burner that can be simply packed away.
- Map of Joshua Tree National Park – A good map that gives you the perfect comfort for your journey.
- Hand purifier – It is essential for your health journey in Joshua tree national park
Which Campground do you Choose in Joshua National Park?
For those planning to camping in Joshua Tree National Park, there are nine different campgrounds in Joshua tree national park.
It’s hard to say which camping site is better than another, and sometimes deciding where to camp on the Joshua tree. Below we give details about nine camping grounds in the Park.
Jumbo Rocks Campground
- Fee : $20/night
- No of Sites:124 sites
- RVs: Yes, up to 35’. No hookups.
- Reservation: First come first-saved
- Opening Season & Hours: Campgrounds are available 24 hours a day. Check-in and check-out times are both at noon. Quiet hours are between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
- Ice for sale: No
- Firewood for sale: No
- Potable water: No
- Toilet Type: Vault toilet
- Shower Type: No
The campsite is located among an iconic Joshua Tree environment of magnificent rocks, Joshua Trees, and an amazing desert landscape. Jumbo Rocks, located along the main route through Joshua Tree and just south of Twenty-nine Palms. Jumbo Rocks campground offer picnic tables and fire rings.
Black Rock Campground
- Fee : $25/night
- No of Sites:99 sites. (include 20 equestrian sites)
- RVs: Yes, up to 35’. No hookups.
- Reservation: During the off-season, (Sept-May)
- Opening Season & Hours: Campgrounds are available 24 hours a day. Check-in and check-out times are both at noon. Quiet hours are between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.Some Black Rock campgrounds shutter during the summer.
- Ice for sale: No
- Firewood for sale: No
- Potable water: Yes
- Toilet Type: Flush toilet- year-round
- Shower Type: No
The Black Rock Campground is one of the bigger campgrounds in Joshua Tree.
It is located on the edge of the National Park and is easily accessible. Located northwest of the park, Yuka Valley, just a few miles from CA, is perfect for Black Rock camping and easy access.
Indian Cove Campground
- Fee : $25/night, $35 – $50/night for group sites
- No of Sites:101 sites, including 13 group sites
- RVs: Yes, up to 35’. No hookups.
- Reservation: During the off-season first-come first-saved(Sept-May)
- Opening Season & Hours: Campgrounds are available 24 hours a day. Check-in and check-out times are both at noon. Quiet hours are between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.Some Black Rock campgrounds shutter during the summer.
- Ice for sale: No
- Firewood for sale: No
- Potable water: No
- Toilet Type: Vault toilet- year-round
- Shower Type: No
It is located in Joshua Tree National Park’s north part, just a short drive from either Joshua Tree Village or Twenty-nine Palms.
Indian Cove is located within the park on a dead-end road, just north of the popular Wonderland of Rocks and along the Boy Scout Trail. The campground is ideal for climbers, as there are several pitches nearby to explore.
Belle Campground
- Fee : $15/night
- No of Sites:18 sites.
- RVs: Yes, up to 35’. No hookups.
- Reservation: During the off-season first-come first-saved and Required for peak season and group sites.
- Opening Season & Hours: Campgrounds are available 24 hours a day. Check-in and check-out times are both at noon. Quiet hours are between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
- Ice for sale: No
- Firewood for sale: No
- Potable water: No
- Toilet Type: Vault toilet- year-round
- Shower Type: No
Belle is a wonderful campsite to see the night skies. The elevation of this tiny (18-site) campsite is 3,800 feet (1,158 m). The campground is a short distance from the north gate of the national park.
It’s first-come, first-served. Toilets in the open. There will be no water, so pack enough of your own.
Cottonwood Campground
- Fee : $25/night, $40/night for group sites
- No of Sites:62 sites, including three group sites (15–25 participants).
- RVs: Yes. No hookups.
- Reservation: During the off-season first-come first-saved
- Opening Season & Hours: Campgrounds are available 24 hours a day. Check-in and check-out times are both at noon. Quiet hours are between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.Loop B normally closes in the summer, while Loop A becomes.
- Ice for sale: No
- Firewood for sale: No
- Potable water: Yes
- Toilet Type: Flush toilet- year-round
- Shower Type: No
There is also a beautiful amphitheater in the Cottonwood campground, where you can check out a Ranger presentation and learn a little more about the Joshua Tree.
Cottonwood Campground is ideal for exploring the southern area of Joshua Tree National Park.
The campsite is easily accessible from I-10 or any of the cities south of the park, and it is only a short drive from the park’s southern entry station. Cottonwood is an excellent starting place for exploring the Lost Palms Oasis, as the route begins at the campsite.
Hidden Valley Campground
- Fee : $15/night
- No of Sites:44 sites
- RVs: Yes, up to 25’. No hookups.
- Reservation: During the off-season first-come first-saved
- Opening Season & Hours: Campgrounds are available 24 hours a day and year-round.
- Ice for sale: No
- Firewood for sale: No
- Potable water: No
- Toilet Type: Flush toilet- year-round
- Shower Type: No
The Hidden Valley Camp is the heart of Joshua Tree National Park. The campground is nearby to the Hidden Valley Nature Trail and numerous famous climbing areas in Joshua Tree.
The campsites at Hidden Valley are smaller than those at other Joshua Tree campgrounds. This is excellent for car campers since it makes you feel more isolated, but it limits the size of RVs that can be accepted to 25.
Sheep Pass Group Campground
- Fee : $50/night
- No of Sites: six group sites (20 -25 people per site)
- RVs: Not authorized.
- Reservation: During the off-season first-come first-saved
- Opening Season & Hours: Campgrounds are available 24 hours a day and (All campgrounds and campsites may be closed.)
- Ice for sale: No
- Firewood for sale: No
- Potable water: No
- Toilet Type: Vault toilet
- Shower Type: No
The Sheep Pass Campground is ideal for larger groups and is strategically located in Joshua Tree National Park.
All of the campsites have fire pits, grills, and picnic tables. RVs are not permitted in Sheep Pass, so if you’re arranging a group picnic with an RV, you’ll need to look into one of Joshua Tree’s other group camping areas. Because there is no potable water at the campground, bring your own.
Ryan Campground
- Fee : $20/night
- No of Sites:32 campsites, including four equestrian and three bicycle campsites.
- RVs: Yes. No hookups.
- Reservation: During the off-season first-come first-saved
- Opening Season & Hours: Campgrounds are available 24 hours a day and year-round.
- Ice for sale: No
- Firewood for sale: No
- Potable water: No
- Toilet Type: Vault toilet- year-round
- Shower Type: No
The campground is nicely located, with easy access to numerous good hiking routes. This offers access to the California Riding and Hiking Trail and the Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail, as well as some great hiking sites.
White Tank Campground
- Fee : $15/night
- No of Sites:15sites
- RVs: Yes, up to 25’. No hookups.
- Reservation: first-come first-saved
- Opening Season & Hours: Campgrounds are available 24 hours a day and year-round.
- Ice for sale: No
- Firewood for sale: No
- Potable water: No
- Toilet Type: Vault toilet- year-round
- Shower Type: No
White Tank Campground, the smallest campground in Joshua Tree National Park, is located along Pinto Basin Road south of Twentynine Palms, CA. The Arch Rock Trail and the California Riding and Hiking Trail are also easily accessible from the campsite.
Must Know Before you go Joshua Tree National Park
The topics that follow include all of the essential information you’ll need to have a nice experience camping in Joshua Tree National Park. First, here are some fundamentals:
Avoid crowd
The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park to avoid overcrowding is between June and August and during the summer months or mid-winter of December, February.
Visitors to the Joshua Tree are significantly lower throughout the summer. However, the reason for this is that the daytime temperature is very hot.
Alternatively, winter is another great time to visit if you want to avoid the biggest crowds. Every year the park sees more and more winter visitors, but by December and January, you can often find camping relatively easily in the middle of the week.
Fires
Fires are typically permitted at Joshua Tree National Park’s nine established campgrounds.
Please do not take any wood from the national park!
The fire must be kept inside the confines of the supplied fire pit/grate or grill and must never be left unattended.
It is also critical that any wood brought into the park be appropriately obtained, as firewood can transmit invasive bugs that can cause irreversible harm. Because campfires are not prohibited in the Joshua Tree backcountry, carry a camp stove if you intend on camping.
Pets
Pets are allowed on all developed campgrounds throughout the park but are not permitted in the backcountry or on any hiking route. When taking a pet to Joshua Tree, it is critical to take necessary measures due to the warm desert climate. Bring enough water for them and make sure their paws don’t get burnt on the warm ground.
If you do want to bring your pet, please consider the following rules:
- Pets are permitted in campsites, along park roads, and in picnic areas.
- Pets should be leashed at all times.
- Pets are not permitted in park structures, trails, or backcountry areas.
Wildlife
The majority of animal life is active at night, however, you may see lizards, birds, and maybe a few animals during the day. In Joshua Tree, campers should be extremely careful of the following:
Snakes: A vast range of desert snake species can be found at Joshua Tree. Snakes are most active at night, so keep an eye out for them at all times.
Ground squirrels: They are the most probable animal to be encountered on a Joshua Tree campground. Make certain that all food is securely stored.
Birds: The Joshua Tree National Park has a large bird population. Keep your eyes peeled for the eponymous roadrunner!
That’s all! We hope you found all of the information about camping in Joshua Tree National Park on this page (Guide to camping in Joshua Tree National Park) useful, and we are confident you will locate the great campground for your next vacation! Have fun camping time!