Joshua Tree Camping: Best Spots & Campgrounds

Why Choosing the Right Spot Matters

Not all Joshua Tree campsites are created equal. Some put you in the middle of towering boulder piles with unobstructed stargazing views. Others offer precious amenities like running water and flush toilets. And a few? Well, they’re the spots that seasoned desert campers keep coming back to year after year.

We’ve camped our way through Joshua Tree’s nine campgrounds more times than we can count. Here’s our honest breakdown of the best spots and who they’re perfect for.

Jumbo Rocks: The Desert Icon

If you only camp at Joshua Tree once, make it Jumbo Rocks. This 124-site campground delivers everything people picture when they think of Joshua Tree camping—massive granite boulders, twisted Joshua trees, and some of the best stargazing in Southern California.

The sites are scattered among the rock formations, giving each one a sense of privacy and adventure. Kids love scrambling on the boulders. Photographers love the golden hour light. And at night, the Milky Way puts on a show that makes you forget cell service even exists.

The catch: No water, vault toilets only, and it fills by 9 AM on weekends. We recommend arriving Thursday night or very early Friday morning during peak season.

Best for: First-timers, photographers, families with adventurous kids, anyone who wants the quintessential Joshua Tree experience.

Hidden Valley: Climber Central

Nestled among some of the park’s most famous climbing routes, Hidden Valley attracts a lively crowd of boulderers and rock climbers from around the world. The 44 sites are surrounded by granite walls that glow orange at sunset.

We love the energy here—campfire conversations often turn into beta sessions about the next day’s routes. But fair warning: it can get noisy, especially on weekends when climbing parties celebrate successful sends.

Best for: Climbers, social campers, and anyone who doesn’t mind a bit of campground buzz.

Ryan Campground: The Quiet Achiever

If Jumbo Rocks is booked and you want a similar vibe without the crowds, Ryan is your answer. This 31-site campground sits at higher elevation, which means slightly cooler temperatures—a real blessing during shoulder season.

The central location makes it easy to access both the west and east sides of the park. We’ve found it often has availability when other campgrounds are full, making it our go-to backup plan.

Best for: Campers seeking solitude, those visiting during warmer months, hikers planning to explore multiple areas of the park.

Black Rock: The Comfort Zone

Let’s be real—sometimes you want a hot shower after a day of desert hiking. Black Rock is the only campground in Joshua Tree with flush toilets, running water, and the closest thing to “amenities” you’ll find inside the park.

Located in the northwest corner, it feels slightly removed from the classic Joshua Tree landscape. The vegetation is different (more high desert than Mojave), and the famous boulder piles are elsewhere. But for families with young kids, RV campers, or anyone who values convenience, it’s hard to beat.

Best for: RV campers, families with small children, comfort-seekers, first-time desert campers.

Indian Cove: The Hidden Gem

Tucked away on the north side of the park with its own separate entrance, Indian Cove feels like a secret. The 101 sites are spread among dramatic rock formations, and the walk-in sites offer even more seclusion.

We particularly love Indian Cove for its rock scrambling opportunities—you can spend hours exploring the formations without ever hitting an official trail. The nature trail is perfect for sunrise walks, and the evening light on the rocks is spectacular.

Best for: Rock scramblers, campers who want to avoid the main park crowds, photographers chasing unique compositions.

Belle and White Tank: The Intimates

These two small campgrounds (18 and 15 sites respectively) are our picks for campers who prioritize peace and quiet over proximity to attractions. They’re both first-come, first-served and often have availability when larger campgrounds are packed.

Belle sits amid gorgeous rock formations and rarely fills up. White Tank offers easy access to the Arch Rock trail and tends to attract a more experienced camping crowd.

Best for: Couples seeking romance, experienced campers, anyone who values quiet over convenience.

Cottonwood: The Southern Escape

Way down at the south entrance, Cottonwood feels like a different park entirely. The landscape shifts to Colorado Desert flora—ocotillos and cholla instead of Joshua trees. It’s less dramatic but has its own austere beauty.

The 62 sites here come with water and flush toilets, and you’ll find fewer crowds year-round. It’s also the gateway to the Mastodon Peak and Lost Palms Oasis trails—some of the park’s best hiking.

Best for: Hikers, birders, campers who’ve already done the northern campgrounds and want something different.

Tips for Scoring Your Perfect Site

Reservations at Black Rock, Indian Cove, and Cottonwood open six months in advance on Recreation.gov. We recommend booking the day they become available, especially for October through April dates.

For first-come campgrounds, timing is everything. Weekday camping almost guarantees a spot. Weekend camping requires either arriving very early or getting lucky with a mid-day departure. Pro tip: we’ve had good luck cruising through campgrounds around 11 AM when the checkout rush happens.

Don’t forget about BLM land surrounding the park. When everything inside is full, free dispersed camping on Bureau of Land Management land north and south of the park offers a solid backup plan.

The Bottom Line

Joshua Tree rewards those who do their homework. Whether you want the classic boulder-strewn experience at Jumbo Rocks, the climber camaraderie at Hidden Valley, or the creature comforts at Black Rock, there’s a perfect spot waiting for you.

Just remember: bring more water than you think you need, pack layers for those 40-degree temperature swings, and book early. The desert isn’t going anywhere, but those campsites definitely are.

See you under the stars.