5 Best Joshua Tree Campsites (2024)
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Joshua Tree National Park is an amazing weekend getaway for all of those in or near southern California. It lies just over 3 hours from San Diego and 3 hours from Los Angeles.
The desert landscape is varied and offers so many different types of hikes, nature trails, and rock climbing (or bouldering).
What are the Best Joshua Tree Campsites?
Here are my top picks of the best Joshua Tree Campsites.
All of the following require advanced reservations. There are some sites that function on a first come-first served basis, but this article will not cover those. Personally, I recommend always making reservations to avoid any travel disasters.
Cottonwood Campsite
Cottonwood is by far one of our favorite campsites in Joshua Tree National Park.
It is super family-friendly, has flush toilets, potable (drinkable) water, and great night sky views.
There are no Joshua trees at this campsite, but Cottonwood does have some great hikes near the campsite, including Cottonwood Spring and Mastodon Peak.
It gets looked over a lot because you do have to drive about 30 minutes to many of the main “attractions” of Joshua Tree, such as Skull Rock and the Cholla Cactus Garden, but the quiet and “middle of nowhere” feeling is totally worth it.
Just make sure you have satellite GPS as this campsite does not get good (if any) cell phone signal.
Features:
- $25/night
- Flush Toilets
- Potable Water
- Picnic Table
- Fire Grate
- Group Sites
- Pets Allowed on Leash
- RV (max 35’- not allowed at group sites)
- Dump Station
- Amphitheater
Indian Cove Campsite
There is no water available at this campsite, but there is potable water available at the station when you enter Indian Cove.
Typically no cell phone signal, this awesome campsite in Joshua Tree has large boulders everywhere. Indian Cove is tucked away more so than the other campsites, and the boulders make for great exploring opportunities. The night sky is beautiful and away from the light pollution of the city.
This great campsite in Joshua Tree is also near a nature trail, a hiking trailhead, and a Ranger Station.
Features:
- $25/night
- Pit Toilets
- Picnic Table
- Fire Grate
- Group Sites
- Pets Allowed on Leash
- RV (max 35’- not allowed at group sites)
- Amphitheater
Jumbo Rocks Campsite
This next campsite has no water, no cell phone service, and pit toilets. Not completely roughing it, but also not the same “luxuries” of say, Cottonwood, for example.
The tradeoff is that Jumbo Rocks is an absolutely amazing campsite. You are surrounded by giant boulders and very close to Skull Rock and Arch Rock. Even if you do not camp at Jumbo Rocks, you have to stop by these 2 boulders in Joshua Tree National Park.
There is also access to a nature trail directly from the site.
Features:
- $20/night
- Pit Toilets
- Picnic Table
- Fire Grate
- Pets Allowed on Leash
- RV (max 35’- not allowed at group sites)
- Amphitheater
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Ryan
One of two horse-friendly campsites in Joshua Tree National Park, Ryan has scenery of boulders and Joshua trees.
Some campsites are a bit close together, but the giant boulders help provide shade for everyone.
There is easy access to a rock climbing trail as well as a trailhead nearby.
Features:
- $20/night
- Pit Toilets
- Picnic Table
- Fire Grate
- Pets Allowed on Leash
- RV (max 35’- not allowed at group sites)
- Horse Campsites
Black Rock Campsite
If you’re looking for a campground with the iconic Joshua tree, look no further than Black Rock. This campground is also one of the sites in Joshua Tree that accommodates horses.
There is some cell phone service in the area. This could be a pro or con depending on your “camping with cell signal” preferences. It’s spotty and not guaranteed, but it’s better than being with no signal.
It is closer to the edge of Joshua Tree National Park, so there is a bit more light pollution from the city.
There is easy access to a horse trail and a trailhead from the campsite.
Features:
- $25/night
- Flush Toilets
- Potable Water
- Picnic Table
- Fire Grate
- Pets Allowed on Leash
- RV (max 35’- not allowed at group sites)
- Dump Station
- Amphitheater
- Horse Campsites
Where Can You Find Campsites in Joshua Tree?
You can find campsites for Joshua Tree National Park and book them on Recreation.gov.
November to May is the busy season, mainly because it gets very hot in the summer. Keep in mind some higher elevation sites may have snow such as Ryan Campground.
Joshua Tree campsites are open year-round with some closures in the summer at the following sites: Cottonwood, Black Rock, and Indian Cove. It’s also good to know that Cottonwood turns into a first come first serve site in the summer when one of the 2 loops closes down.
Maximum per Campsite:
- 6 People
- 3 Tents
- 2 Vehicles
Best Campsites in Joshua Tree Summary
If you’re wanting a combination of open starry-night sky & the comfort of flush toilets, the best campsite in Joshua Tree National Park is Cottonwood Campgrounds. It’s our favorite campground and offers an amazing family camping experience.
Something Cottonwood is lacking would be Joshua trees. If you’re looking for Joshua Trees at your campsite, then check out Black Rock. Some other sites may have smaller, sporadic Joshua trees, but Black Rock campgrounds did not disappoint with large, impressive Joshua trees right in your campsite.
Looking for boulders? Check out Jumbo Rocks, Ryan, or Indian Cove campgrounds. If you really prefer a campsite with flush toilets, you can always drive to boulders as a day adventure instead of camping among them.
For all of the horse owners out there, Black Rock and Ryan campgrounds are your 2 options. Black Rock has a horse-friendly trailhead accessible from camp.
Large family? Group of friends? There are 3 campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park that have group sites: Cottonwood, Indian Cove, and Sheep Pass.
FAQ on Camping in Joshua Tree
You need a reservation to camp at the following campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park: Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks, Ryan, and Black Rock. The following campsites are first come first serve and do not require reservations: Belle, Hidden Valley, and White Tank.
There is no cost for backpacking in Joshua Tree. You need to park and sign in at a registration board site and obtain a permit. Keep in mind you can not set up camp in day-use areas, by trails, or by a water source.
Absolutely, Joshua Tree National Park is good for camping. There are different campsites to choose from to match your camping comforts, and the night sky is amazing for star gazing.
Typically campsites cost $15-$25 per site per night in Joshua Tree National Park.
Joshua Tree National Park is a desert environment with fan palm oases, mountains, fossils, and so many other hidden gems. Scramble over boulders, walk through the Cholla cactus garden, hike up to an abandoned mine, and stargaze to your heart’s content. It’s a fun adventure within 3-4 hours from Las Angeles and San Diego.
The best time to visit Joshua Tree would be fall, winter, or spring. Joshua Tree is open in the summer, but it’s recommended to avoid the heat. The busy season is from November through May.
