Cottonwood Campground (Ca)

74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA

Tucked away in the heart of Joshua Tree National Park, Belle Campground offers an intimate desert escape where just 18 sites nestle among ancient rock formations at 3,800 feet elevation. This hidden gem operates on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the year (closing only during peak summer months), inviting adventurers to claim their spot beneath some of the darkest skies in Southern California. While you'll find the essentials—pit toilets, sturdy picnic tables, and fire rings perfect for evening gatherings—the campground maintains its wild character without running water, ensuring a true backcountry experience where self-sufficiency meets spectacular scenery.

74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA, 92277, USA

Rising from the high desert like ancient sentinels, Jumbo Rocks Campground stands as the crown jewel of Joshua Tree National Park's camping experiences. Here, massive boulder formations create a natural playground where families gather around evening campfires and rock climbing enthusiasts test their skills on sun-warmed granite. As darkness falls, the Milky Way emerges in stunning clarity above this centrally-located basecamp, transforming the desert into an open-air planetarium that leaves visitors speechless.

74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA, USA, 92277

Discover the raw beauty of the Colorado Desert, where expansive vistas and remarkable wildlife viewing opportunities await at every turn. This pristine desert landscape offers campers an authentic wilderness experience, with strategically positioned sites that serve as perfect vantage points for observing the desert's diverse inhabitants in their natural habitat.

7295 Indian Cove Road

Tucked away in the northern reaches of Joshua Tree National Park, Indian Cove Group Campground beckons adventurers seeking communion with the desert's raw beauty. This exclusive retreat features 13 tent-only sites thoughtfully positioned among ancient granite monoliths, creating natural amphitheaters perfect for group gatherings. Rock climbers flock here to test their skills on world-class routes, while after dark, the campground transforms into an astronomer's paradise where the Milky Way stretches brilliantly across unpolluted skies.

Joshua Tree National Park

Tucked away in a natural fortress of towering boulders and ancient Joshua Trees, Hidden Valley Campground beckons adventurers into the heart of Joshua Tree National Park. This primitive camping haven has become a mecca for rock climbers from around the world, drawn by the legendary climbing routes that wind through the surrounding granite monoliths. As dawn breaks over the desert, you'll find yourself immersed in a landscape that feels both otherworldly and intimately connected to the raw beauty of the Mojave.

White Tank Campground, Pinto Basin Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Discover your desert sanctuary at White Tank Campground, where 15 intimate campsites are tucked among towering granite boulders that have stood sentinel for millennia. This hidden gem in Joshua Tree National Park offers adventurers a chance to disconnect from the digital world—with no running water and only vault toilets, you'll find yourself immersed in the raw beauty of the high desert. Each site comes equipped with a picnic table and fire pit, perfect for evening gatherings under some of the darkest, most star-studded skies in Southern California. While RVs and trailers up to 25 feet can navigate into this rocky wonderland, the campground's compact nature and dramatic boulder formations create a sense of seclusion that larger parks simply can't match.

Ryan Campground, Park Boulevard, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Tucked into the heart of Joshua Tree National Park, Ryan Campground serves as your gateway to an authentic desert adventure. This intimate campground places you within touching distance of the park's legendary rock formations, where generations of climbers have tested their skills and hikers have discovered hidden vistas. While you'll need to bring your own water and won't find hookups here, the trade-off is an unspoiled camping experience that connects you directly with the raw beauty of the Mojave. Families particularly love the accessible trails and the chance to explore massive boulder gardens right from their campsite.

100-225 State Park Road, Mecca, CA 92254

Where desert meets water in California's most unexpected landscape, Salt Creek Beach Campground offers an otherworldly camping experience along the shores of the enigmatic Salton Sea. This primitive campground within the Salton Sea State Recreation Area invites adventurers to embrace the raw beauty and peculiar charm of one of America's most fascinating ecological oddities, where sunsets paint the sky in impossible colors and the silence speaks volumes.

100-225 State Park Road Mecca, CA 92254

Discover an unexpected desert paradise at Mecca Beach Campground, where the shimmering waters of the Salton Sea meet the rugged beauty of California's Colorado Desert. This well-appointed campground within the Salton Sea State Recreation Area beckons adventurers with modern RV hookups and developed camping sites along the northeastern shoreline. Here, where millions of birds paint the sky during migration seasons and the night sky blazes with countless stars, you'll find yourself immersed in one of California's most fascinating natural phenomena—a vast inland sea born from a century-old accident that has transformed into a cherished destination for nature enthusiasts, anglers, and those seeking solitude in the desert's embrace.

100-225 State Park Road, Mecca, CA 92254

Discover New Camp, a tranquil desert oasis within the Salton Sea State Recreation Area where tent campers find respite along the shores of California's legendary inland sea. This thoughtfully developed campground welcomes all adventurers with two fully accessible sites (#37 and #45), immaculate restroom facilities, and refreshing hot showers. During weekdays, you'll often find yourself enjoying blissful solitude under endless desert skies, with the quirky artistic enclave of Bombay Beach just a scenic 10-minute drive away, ready to enchant with its post-apocalyptic charm and vibrant desert art installations.

100-225 State Park Road, Mecca, CA 92254

Where desert meets water in California's most unexpected landscape, Corvina Beach Campground beckons adventurous souls seeking an otherworldly camping experience. This hidden gem along the Salton Sea's northeastern shore offers budget-conscious travelers an incredible value at just $10 per night, complete with essential amenities including pit toilets, refreshing showers, and water access. As part of the sprawling Salton Sea State Recreation Area—which stretches an impressive 14 miles along this mysterious inland sea—Corvina Beach serves as your gateway to one of the American West's most fascinating and surreal destinations.

74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA

Nestled in the heart of Joshua Tree National Park, Sheep Pass Group Campground offers an intimate desert camping experience designed for groups seeking adventure together. Six tent-only sites are strategically positioned among towering rock formations and the park's namesake Joshua trees, creating natural gathering spaces for friends and families. As darkness falls, these dramatic boulder gardens transform into natural amphitheaters under star-filled skies. The campground serves as an ideal basecamp for exploring nearby hiking trails and world-renowned climbing routes, making it a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate the camaraderie of group camping in one of America's most distinctive desert landscapes.

74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA, 92277, USA

Ryan Campground, Park Boulevard, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA

White Tank Campground, Pinto Basin Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA

74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA, USA, 92277

100-225 State Park Road, Mecca, CA 92254

100-225 State Park Road Mecca, CA 92254

100-225 State Park Road, Mecca, CA 92254

100-225 State Park Road, Mecca, CA 92254

Bishop Creek, South Lake Road, near Four Jeffrey Campground, CA

Escape to Mountain Glen Campground, where just five secluded sites await beneath a canopy of quaking aspens and graceful willows. This hidden gem along the melodic waters of Bishop Creek offers the perfect basecamp for tomorrow's alpine adventure or a tranquil week-long retreat from the demands of modern life. Here, intimacy meets wilderness, creating an atmosphere where every camper becomes part of the mountain's quiet rhythm.

1 Visitor Center Dr Lee Vining, CA 93541

Tucked into a scenic bend along the melodious Lee Vining Creek, Big Bend Campground invites adventurers to claim one of its 17 intimate campsites within the majestic Inyo National Forest. This hidden gem serves as the perfect basecamp for those drawn to both Yosemite's stunning Tuolumne Meadows entrance and the otherworldly landscapes of Mono Basin Scenic Area. Each site comes equipped with essential amenities including vault toilets, fresh potable water, and bear-proof food storage lockers to ensure both comfort and wildlife safety during your stay.

INYO, CA, USA

Nestled in the heart of the Eastern Sierra, Big Pine Canyon offers adventurers a gateway to some of California's most dramatic alpine wilderness. This stunning canyon serves as your basecamp for exploring ancient glaciers, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and towering granite peaks that pierce the sky at over 14,000 feet. Whether you're seeking challenging mountaineering routes or peaceful streamside camping, Big Pine Canyon delivers an authentic High Sierra experience that will leave you breathless—both from the altitude and the sheer beauty surrounding you.

Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Gather your favorite people at Camp 4 Group Campsite, where up to 35 adventurers can create lasting memories together in the heart of nature. This thoughtfully developed campground welcomes groups with everything needed for the perfect outdoor gathering – spacious picnic tables for shared meals under towering trees, crackling fire pits for evening storytelling, convenient vault toilets, and regular garbage collection that lets you focus on what matters most: quality time with friends and family.

Six Rivers National Forest

Tucked away in the vast wilderness of Six Rivers National Forest, Bailey Canyon Campground offers an authentic back-to-nature experience for those seeking solitude and simplicity. This hidden gem provides all the essentials for a comfortable stay, including vault toilets and fresh drinking water, while each thoughtfully arranged campsite comes complete with a sturdy table for meals under the stars and a campfire ring where stories and s'mores come to life after dark.

Sequoia National Forest

Rail Creek Rd, Klamath National Forest, California

Escape to the pristine wilderness of Kangaroo Lake Campground, where 18 thoughtfully placed sites await at 6,100 feet among towering conifers and fragrant manzanita. Choose from 13 convenient drive-in sites or venture to one of 5 secluded walk-in tent sites for a more intimate connection with nature. The crown jewel is the crystal-clear, 25-acre lake that plunges to depths of 110 feet—a tranquil haven for paddlers and anglers pursuing rainbow trout in its cool waters. A gentle, quarter-mile paved trail winds through the forest to the lake's edge, making this mountain paradise accessible to all. As you settle into this bear country sanctuary, proper food storage becomes part of the authentic wilderness experience under star-filled skies.

Upper Soda Springs Campground, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

Nestled in the heart of Reds Meadow Valley, Upper Soda Springs Campground offers an intimate escape where the melodic San Joaquin River becomes your constant companion. This tranquil retreat features 28 thoughtfully spaced campsites, each equipped with bear-proof lockers, picnic tables, and access to pristine pit toilets and fresh potable water. Adventure beckons from every direction—cast a line into the crystal-clear river waters, set out on scenic trails that wind through ancient forests, or venture to the nearby geological wonder of Devil's Postpile National Monument and the breathtaking cascade of Rainbow Falls.

Eldorado National Forest

Tucked away in the heart of Eldorado National Forest, Northwind Campground beckons those seeking solitude amid towering pines and whispering aspens. This hidden gem rewards visitors who venture off the beaten path with pristine natural beauty and the kind of peaceful atmosphere that's increasingly rare in today's busy world. The smooth paved roads leading to this intimate campground make it an accessible retreat where the only sounds you'll hear are birdsong and wind through the trees.

Sequoia National Forest

Perched at an impressive 7,800 feet elevation, this mountain retreat features 73 thoughtfully designed campsites nestled among towering pines and crisp mountain air. The campground welcomes RVs up to 24 feet, with each site featuring a paved parking spur for easy setup and bear-proof storage boxes for peace of mind. Adventure seekers will love the direct access to thrilling OHV trails right from camp, while fresh drinking water is available throughout the season. Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping off-road adventures or simply yearning to wake up above the clouds, this high-elevation haven offers the perfect basecamp for your mountain escape.