Joshua Tree Camping

About This Region

Joshua Tree National Park camping offers an unforgettable immersion into one of America's most distinctive desert landscapes, where ancient Joshua trees stand sentinel among massive granite boulder formations and star-filled skies stretch endlessly overhead. With multiple campgrounds scattered throughout the park's 800,000 acres, visitors can choose from a variety of camping experiences—from the iconic boulder-studded sites at Jumbo Rocks Campground to the elevated Joshua tree forests of Black Rock and the remote tranquility of Cottonwood in the Colorado Desert. Whether you're seeking world-class rock climbing, pristine stargazing, or simply a peaceful desert retreat, Joshua Tree National Park campgrounds provide the perfect basecamp for adventure. Making reservations well in advance is essential for experiencing these sought-after campgrounds, especially during the peak season from October through May. Popular sites like Jumbo Rocks, Indian Cove, and Black Rock require reservations year-round and often book up months ahead. The park's camping infrastructure ranges from primitive tent-only group sites at Sheep Pass to more developed facilities at Black Rock with flush toilets and potable water. With prices ranging from $15 to $55 per night, Joshua Tree National Park camping delivers exceptional value for outdoor enthusiasts ready to explore this UNESCO-recognized desert wonderland.

The landscape at Joshua Tree National Park presents a dramatic meeting point between two distinct desert ecosystems—the higher Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert. Campers will find themselves surrounded by the park's namesake Joshua trees, towering granite monoliths that create natural climbing walls and photography opportunities, and sweeping vistas that extend for miles across the high desert plateau. The scenery transforms throughout the day, from golden sunrise light illuminating the rock formations to the spectacular emergence of the Milky Way after dark, making this one of the premier stargazing destinations in Southern California. Camping styles vary significantly across the park's offerings. Within Joshua Tree National Park itself, expect primitive to moderately developed campgrounds with vault toilets or flush facilities, fire rings, and picnic tables, but limited to no hookups. Black Rock and Cottonwood provide the most amenities including potable water and flush toilets, while sites like Jumbo Rocks and Indian Cove offer a more rustic experience among dramatic boulder gardens. For those seeking additional comfort, nearby mountain campgrounds in the San Bernardino and Cleveland National Forests—such as Barton Flats and Burnt Rancheria—provide full-service facilities including hot showers, creating diverse outdoor recreation opportunities for every camping preference.