Joshua Tree National Park boasts nine campgrounds with 500 a combined individual sites. This park is ready to accommodate your visit!
On Thanksgiving weekend and New Years weekend (the Memorial day and Labor day of the desert) the park will be packed and finding a campsite can be a challenge. On these weekend, consider visiting the less popular Mojave National Preserve to the north. The park can also get quite crowded during spring wildflower season, but most other times, one can drive into the park and find a great site without much searching. On weekdays especially, the park can provide a great feeling of seclusion. For other lodging options, visit tripadvisor.com.
The fee for Black Rock, Cottonwood, and Indian Cove Campground is $15 per night, (the price of flush toilets) while the six other sites are $10 per night and feature the usual pit toilets. Picnic tables and fire rings come standard. Sites at Black Rock and Indian Cove, and group sites at Sheep Pass and Cottonwood may be reserved online or by calling 877.444.6777.
A Joshua Tree picnic
Black Rock Canyon campground has its own access road south of the west entrance station and is the only grounds where you can actually camp among the Joshua trees. Indian Cove Campground is accessible to the north from Route 62 near Fortynine Palms Oasis. Cottonwood campground is on the east side of the park and offers access to the trailhead for Lost Palms Oasis and Mastodon Peak.
Campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park
Indian Cove Campground | 101 sites | reservations accepted | $15 per night | picnic tables, fire rings, and flush toilets | elevation 3,200 feet
Black Rock Campground | 100 sites | reservations accepted | $15 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, and flush toilets | elevation 4,000 feet
Hidden Valley Campground | 39 sites | first-come first-serve | $10 per night | picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets | elevation 4,200 feet
Ryan Mountain Campground | 31 sites | first-come first-serve | $10 per night | picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets | elevation 4,300 feet
Sheep Pass Campground | 6 group sites | reservations accepted | $25 to 40 per night | picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets | elevation 4,500 feet
Jumbo Rocks Campground | 124 sites | first-come first-serve | $10 per night | picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets | elevation 4,400 feet
White Tank Campground | 18 sites | first-come first-serve | $10 per night | picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets | elevation 3,800 feet
Belle Campground | 15 sites | first-come first-serve | $10 per night | picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets | elevation 3,800 feet
Cottonwood Campground | 62 sites | first-come first-serve | $15 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, and flush toilets | elevation 3,000 feet
The location of each campground can be viewed on the map below:
View California Desert Hikes in a larger map
Photos
Black Rock Campground
Jumbo Rock Campground
More Joshua Tree Views
Nearby Trails
| Trail or Attraction | Description | Distance | Latitude, Longitude |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Fortynine Palms Oasis The 3-mile round trip hike visits a cool desert oasis. | 3 miles | 34.105651, -116.10479 |
 | Indian Cove The 101-site campground is home to a 0.6-mile interpretive trail and endless bouldering and rock climbing opportunities. | 0.6 - 2 miles (or more) | 34.094833, -116.15747 |
 | Contact Mine This out and back hike travels up a wash, a canyon, and an old road to a mountainside mine site. | 3.9 miles 700 feet | 34.069024, -116.055543 |
 | Warren Peak This out and back hike summits a peak with impressive views over the west side of Joshua Tree. | 5.5 miles 1,000 feet | 34.055136, -116.407381 |
 | Desert Queen Mine This 1.6-mile hike follows a level desert trail to an overlook before crossing a canyon to visits the ruins of an old gold mine. | 1.6 miles | 34.025433, -116.078167 |
 | Lucky Boy Vista This level out and back hike visits a modest overlook at the site of an old mine. | 2.5 miles 125 feet | 34.017818, -116.082237 |
 | Wall Street Mill This level out and back hike visits a well-reserved gold mill, exploring the mining history of Joshua Tree National Park. | 1.55 - 2.15 115 feet | 34.036453, -116.133863 |
 | Wonderland Wash This level out and back hike travels past the ruins of Wonderland Ranch up a use trail into the Wonderland of Rocks. | 2.1 miles (or more) 75 feet | 34.030444, -116.139357 |
 | Barker Dam This level loop visits a small foreign-looking reservoir within the Wonderland of Rocks | 1.5 miles | 34.024896, -116.142061 |
 | Hidden Valley This loop circles the interior of a small valley surrounded by tall rocks that serves as an excellent bouldering arena. | 1 mile (or more) | 34.012743, -116.168729 |
 | Ryan Mountain This out and back hike offers summit views from the center of Joshua Tree National Park. | 3 miles 1600 feet | 34.094833, -116.15747 |
 | Arch Rock This easy loop visits a natural arch in the granite formations around White Tank Campground. | 0.3 miles 30 feet | 33.985241, -116.016487 |
 | Lost Horse Mine This out and back hike visits a well-preserved mine and mill. | 4 miles | 34.094833, -116.15747 |
 | Keys View to Inspiration Peak This out and back hike leaves the crowds at Keys View for even grander views from a 5,550-foot summit. | 1.2 miles 425 feet | 33.931799, -116.192701 |
 | Cholla Cactus Garden This loop offers a stroll through an intense concentration of Cholla cacti. | 0.25 miles | 33.925302, -115.928777 |
 | Mastodon Peak This 2.6-mile loop visits a 3,400-foot summit with panoramic views of southeastern Joshua Tree. | 2.6 miles 440 feet | 33.735165, -115.799682 |
 | Lost Palms Oasis This out and back hike visits an oasis nestled between mountains in the southeast corner of the park | 7.2 miles | 33.712768, -115.762737 |
Wildflowers
 | Joshua Tree Wildflowers The desert in bloom is something any outdoor enthusiast in California should see. |
More Desert Camping
 | Death Valley National Park There are nine campgrounds spread throughout this large park to facilitate your visit. |
 | Mojave National Preserve There are a few campgrounds and endless roadside camping within the preserve. |
 | Anza-Borrego Desert State Park The biggest state park in California has four developed campgrounds, eight primitive campgrounds, and as much roadside camping as you could ever want. |
