Joshua Tree Camping: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations, and Fees

By Jocelyn Pion · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Joshua Tree

In a nutshell: Nine official campgrounds are spread throughout the park, with about 500 campsites in all. Some accept reservations on recreation.gov up to 6 months ahead; the rest are first-come, first-served. Reservations are essential from February through May and in October and November. Camping outside a designated site isn't allowed. Backcountry camping is possible with free registration.

Campgrounds in the park (9)

• Campground Cottonwood Campground recreation.gov · 62 sites Directions ↗
• Campground White Tank Campground first come, first served · 15 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Ryan Campground recreation.gov · 32 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Hidden Valley Campground first come, first served · 44 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Indian Cove Campground recreation.gov · 101 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Black Rock Campground recreation.gov · 99 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Belle Campground first come, first served · 18 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Sheep Pass Group Campground recreation.gov · 6 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Jumbo Rocks Campground recreation.gov · 124 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can You Camp Inside Joshua Tree?

Yes, and it's one of the park's most memorable experiences. Wake up surrounded by Joshua trees, watch the stars under a sky almost untouched by light pollution, and feel the desert heat give way to the night's dry chill. All camping must take place in designated campsites. Setting up a tent outside a designated site, or outside a designated backcountry area, violates NPS regulations.

The Campgrounds Inside the Park

Nine campgrounds cover the park, from the northern area around the 29 Palms and Yucca Valley entrances to the southern area around Cottonwood Entrance. Here's what to expect at each one.

Jumbo Rocks Campground

124 campsites in the heart of the rock formations that made Joshua Tree famous. The scenery is spectacular, and the night sky is exceptional. First-come, first-served. Vault toilets; no water on-site.

Hidden Valley Campground

44 campsites at the foot of Hidden Valley's rocks, a favorite area for climbers. Direct access to the main trails and climbing routes. First-come, first-served. No water.

Ryan Campground

31 quiet campsites at a slightly higher elevation, where nights are cooler than in the lowlands. A good starting point for Ryan Mountain. First-come, first-served.

Belle Campground

18 campsites in the eastern part of the park, next to White Tank Campground. Quiet except on weekends. First-come, first-served.

White Tank Campground

Just 15 campsites. The White Tank Wash loop starts from the campground. First-come, first-served.

Indian Cove Campground

101 campsites reached through a separate entrance from CA-62, without driving through the rest of the park. Popular with climbers from the area. Reservations are available on recreation.gov for some sites; the rest are first-come, first-served.

Black Rock Campground

99 campsites in the northwest, with drinking water, flush toilets, and a dump station for RVs. This is the park's most fully equipped campground. Reservations are available on recreation.gov.

Cottonwood Campground

62 campsites at the South Entrance, reached from I-10 via Exit 168. Drinking water and flush toilets. A starting point for hikes to the palm oases. Reservations are available on recreation.gov.

Sheep Pass Campground

Reserved for groups, with group sites only. Reservations and fees are available through recreation.gov.

RV or Tent: Which Campsite Should You Choose?

Nearly all of Joshua Tree's campgrounds accommodate tents and RVs, but none have electrical or water hookups. Black Rock Campground is the exception. It's the only campground in the park with a dump station and drinking water immediately next to the campsites. Any campground works for a self-contained RV with full tanks and solar panels. If you need hookups, Black Rock Campground is the only workable option inside the park.

As for vehicle length, the smaller campgrounds, including Belle Campground and White Tank Campground, can be a tight fit for larger rigs. The Joshua Tree RV camping guide covers maximum recommended lengths, access details, and private alternatives outside the park.

Camping Nearby: Private Campgrounds Outside the Park

When the park is full, which is common in March and April and on October weekends, you'll find several private campgrounds in Yucca Valley, 29 Palms, and the town of Joshua Tree. If you're arriving without a reservation, it's worth identifying these alternatives ahead of time. For lodging with a roof, including motels, lodges, and rentals, the guide to lodging around Joshua Tree lists the options within a reasonable distance.

Dispersed Camping and Backcountry Camping

The park allows backcountry camping in designated areas as long as you register for free at the Backcountry Board signs near the entrances to the relevant trails. Three basic rules apply. Camp at least 1 mile from any paved road and at least 200 feet from any water source, and leave no trace. No paid permit is required, but registration is mandatory.

Waking up in the deep desert with nothing but the wind for company is a special experience. The Joshua Tree hiking guide details the routes that work for overnight backcountry trips.

How and When to Reserve a Joshua Tree Campsite

Reservations are made through recreation.gov, not directly through the NPS website. The booking window opens 6 months before your arrival date. The campgrounds that accept reservations are Black Rock Campground, Cottonwood Campground, part of Indian Cove Campground, and Sheep Pass Campground for groups.

For a March or April trip, during wildflower season, log on to recreation.gov exactly 6 months before your arrival date, as soon as the booking window opens. Sites disappear within hours. Demand is high in October and November too, though it eases slightly. Summer, from June through September, is the only time when finding a site without planning far ahead is realistic, but the heat makes camping difficult. See below.

For first-come, first-served campgrounds, aim to arrive on a weekday, preferably Wednesday or Thursday, before noon. On weekends, the park may be full by Friday evening.

Fees: How Much Does a Night of Camping Cost at Joshua Tree?

Campsites cost about $15 to $25 per night, depending on the campground. Black Rock Campground and Cottonwood Campground, which have more amenities, fall at the high end; the smaller first-come, first-served campgrounds, such as Belle Campground and White Tank Campground, are at the low end.

Park entrance fees are added to the campsite fee: $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. If you're staying several nights, the $55 annual pass quickly pays for itself. For entrance fees and annual passes, National Park Fees and Passes provides the key information.

Camping Safety and Best Practices

The desert leaves no room for improvisation.

Food storage: Coyotes and desert squirrels are especially good at breaking into coolers. Store all food in your vehicle, with the trunk closed, or in the metal storage boxes available at some campsites, especially at night. The same rule applies to trash.

Water: Only Black Rock Campground and Cottonwood Campground have drinking water on-site. Bring your own supply everywhere else. Plan on at least 4 liters per person per day in summer and 2 liters in the cooler months.

Heat: In summer, daytime temperatures top 100 °F and rarely fall below 75 °F at night. Camping in July or August at a campground without shade is tough, even for experienced campers. The Joshua Tree seasons guide breaks down conditions month by month.

Reptiles and arthropods: Shake out your shoes and sleeping bag before using them. Don't walk barefoot around the campground after dark. Rattlesnakes and scorpions are active at night.

Wind and sandstorms: Secure your tent with sturdy stakes, especially in winter and spring.

Which Campground Should You Choose?

For scenery and stargazing: Jumbo Rocks Campground, with 124 campsites and an exceptional sky, or Belle Campground, with 18 quieter campsites.

For climbing: Hidden Valley Campground or Indian Cove Campground, with direct access to the routes.

For families with kids: Black Rock Campground, with water, flush toilets, and a northern location, or Cottonwood Campground, with the same amenities in the south.

For self-contained RVs: Every campground works. If you need a dump station, Black Rock Campground is the only option inside the park.

For the full desert experience: Backcountry camping, with advance registration and careful preparation for water and navigation.

For the overall logistics of your trip, see our complete Joshua Tree guide.

Frequently Asked Questions