Joshua Tree Nationwide Park tenting experiences could make you are feeling such as you simply walked into an episode of The Flintstones cartoon. The rock formations are surreal, the desert crops are gorgeous, and, if you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to go to throughout wildflower season, the colours are spectacular.
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Our Joshua Tree Tenting Journey
Time of yr: March, spring season with beautiful climate
We made our reservation at among the finest campgrounds in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. However, we made it on the final minute so we have been solely capable of guide one evening. We tried discovering a walk-up website earlier than our checkout time however there was nothing giant sufficient for our rig. So, for the remainder of our time we stayed on Bureau of Land Administration (BLM) property positioned exterior of the park boundary about 5 miles south of the Joshua Tree Nationwide Park Cottonwood Customer Middle.
Our Jumbo Rocks Campsite
The place we stayed the primary evening: Jumbo Rocks Campground, website #89
Jumbo Rocks is a chief location inside the park boundaries. It’s a great spot to launch from to see the three primary areas of the park.
Our general expertise at this campground was nice.
We did like:
We didn’t like:
- Small campsites near primary street within the campground
- Tough for bigger RVs to maneuver to the areas and lengthen slides/awnings
We’d advocate this tenting spot to others and we might come again to this campground. We additionally recognized the finest campsites in different campgrounds we’d like to go to:
- Ryan Campground: Website 5
- Black Rock Campground: Website 29
- Jumbo Rocks Campground: Website 84
Identify Of Campground: Jumbo Rocks Campground
Location in California: Southern
Deal with: Jumbo Rocks Campground, Park Boulevard, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, Google map LINK to get to this location
Lat/Longs: 33°59’53″N 116°04’12″W or 35.11128969834672, -116.1142818611332
Sort Of Land: Nationwide Park Service
- Managed by: Nationwide Park Service, Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
Cellphone: (760) 367-5500
Web site: https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/jumbo-rocks-campground.htm
Variety of Websites: 124
Pad Sort: paved
Sort Of Tenting: RV, tent
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Entry
Accessibility: Nicely above common (4/5)
- Drive from nearest city to the campsite, pavement by means of the park and campground
- Parking at campsite
- Drive-in/Again-in to website however websites are small so area is restricted. Tight for larger RVs with slideouts
- Website is parallel to the street
- For website #89: RV Max Size 35 Toes. Largest spot in campground: RV Max Size 35 Toes
Cell Cellphone Protection: Nicely beneath common (0/5)
- There isn’t any mobile phone protection in many of the park, together with this campground
- We have been capable of get a great sign utilizing Starlink
Costs & Reservations
Worth To Camp: $20/evening (Final Worth Paid: $20 on 9/9/23)
- Types of cost accepted: Customary Recreation.gov accepts Debit or Credit score Playing cards
- Reductions out there: Senior/Entry Move is 50% low cost
Reservations: Required yr spherical
- Verify-in time: 12 midday
- Verify-out time: 12 midday
Keep limits: There’s a 30-day tenting restrict every year. Solely 14 of those nights might happen from October-Could.
Location/Instructions
There’s easy accessibility to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, listed here are distances to main metro areas:
- 140 miles east of Los Angeles, California
- 175 miles northeast of San Diego, California
- 215 miles southwest of Las Vegas, Nevada
- 222 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona
You possibly can enter the park from the north by way of Route 62 utilizing the West Entrance Station (from Yucca Valley and the city of Joshua Tree) or the North Entrance Station (from the Twentynine Palms space).
You possibly can enter the park from the south by way of Interstate 10 utilizing the South Entrance (from Blythe to the east, from Palm Springs to the west and from the Coachella Valley together with Rancho Mirage and Indio areas).
Our BLM Boondocking Campsite
The place we stayed the remainder of our go to: BLM land south of the park alongside Cottonwood Springs Highway
We’re from Arizona and are used to tenting within the extensive open desert the place the wind blows steadily. This was a good place to camp as a result of it was close to the park, however, throughout our go to it was actually windy so we minimize our journey brief and moved to the following vacation spot on our itinerary. On the intense aspect, the floor is hard-packed so the wind didn’t decide up as a lot mud because it does in comparison with tenting in our typical Arizona desert boondocking places.
Our general expertise at these dispersed campsites was common.
We did like:
- Location close to the park’s south entrance
- Price-free tenting
We didn’t like:
- Windy circumstances in wide-open desert
- Plenty of street noise from I-10
NOTE: We visited two BLM Dispersed tenting areas, we stayed on the one on the south aspect of Joshua Tree Nationwide Park (positioned off of Cottonwood Springs Highway.) We’d not advocate the BLM Dispersed location north of the park (positioned off of Cascade Highway) as a result of it regarded unsafe to us. There have been deserted autos, make-shift tents, scattered trash and RVs in disrepair. It appeared like lots of the individuals have been residing within the space. We had a really uneasy feeling so we left. Our evaluation of the world was very unfavorable, we have no idea the present situation of the placement.
Identify Of Tenting Space: BLM Dispersed Tenting Space South of the Park
Location: Southern California
Deal with: Cottonwood Spring Rd., Chiriaco Summit, CA 92201, Google map LINK to get to this location
Lat/Longs: 33°40’28.2″N 115°48’06.9″W or 33.6745, -115.8019
Sort Of Land: Bureau of Land Administration Space
- Managed by (BLM California Desert District Workplace)
Cellphone: (760) 833-7100
Web site: https://www.blm.gov/workplace/california-desert-district-office
Variety of Websites: n/a, websites aren’t numbered, there’s a giant wide-open space to park
Pad Sort: filth
Sort Of Tenting: RV, tent
Entry
Accessibility: Nicely above common (4/5)
- From the south, drive northbound on Cottonwood Spring Highway simply as you’d to enter Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, earlier than getting into the park you will notice individuals dry tenting in tents and RVs, flip off the paved street onto the filth street paths and select any spot that’s open. The roads are extra like paths that meander however they’re in fairly fine condition, look ahead to areas which were washed out by rains
- Parking at campsite is ample, use as a lot area as you want
- Drive-in/Again-in/Pull-through websites are all out there
- Any measurement RV can match into this space
Cell Cellphone Protection: Common (3/5)
- Our Verizon protection was spotty so we relied on our Starlink for connectivity
Costs & Reservations
Worth To Camp: FREE (Final Worth Paid: $0 on 9/9/23)
Reservations: Reservations aren’t out there, that is strictly a first-come first-served foundation space. There aren’t any campground facilities in any respect. You could be totally self-contained
- No Verify-in, check-out occasions
Keep limits: 14 day limits. Space is open year-round
Location/Instructions
You possibly can enter the tenting space from the south by way of Interstate 10 then onto Cottonwood Spring Highway, flip east or west onto the filth roads to enter the dispersed tenting space.
- While you need to enter Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, drive again out to Cottonwood Spring Highway and drive northbound. In about 1 mile you’ll enter the park’s southern boundary, in about 5 miles you’ll attain the Cottonwood Customer Middle.
Joshua Tree Nationwide Park Campgrounds
Should you don’t do a lot tenting in desert places, you should be ready as a result of the Nationwide Park Service might activate hearth restrictions. Take a look at my submit on tenting throughout hearth bans for extra info.
We expect the finest locations to camp are centrally positioned within the park. Should you don’t need to drive to completely different places, a central location will present the most alternatives to see a big a part of the park on foot or on bike. For that cause we advocate tenting at one in all these campgrounds:
- Jumbo Rocks
- Belle
- White Tank
- Ryan
- Hidden Valley
- Sheep Move
Reservation Tenting
Black Rock Campground
- TOTAL SITES: 99
- This campground is positioned within the northwest nook of the park alongside Black Rock Canyon Highway. Except you’re backpacking, you will need to use freeway 62 to entry different areas within the park
- Open yr spherical
- This location really has campground facilities the opposite places don’t, if you happen to want cell service cellphone reception and web connectivity, this can be a nice selection
- Dump Station is out there right here
- RV Max Size 35 Toes
- Picnic tables and hearth rings can be found at every website
- Potable water and flush bathrooms can be found right here
- No showers
- Trash/Recycling Assortment is out there right here
- No hookups, RV-accessible potable water and dump stations
Cottonwood Campground
- TOTAL SITES: 62
- This campground is positioned within the southeast space of the park alongside Pinto Basin Highway close to the Cottonwood Customer Middle
- Open yr spherical
- Potable water sources and flush bathrooms can be found right here
- No showers
- Trash/Recycling Assortment is out there right here
- Dump Station is out there right here
- RV Max Size 35 Toes
- No hookups, RV-accessible potable water and dump stations
Indian Cove Campground
- TOTAL SITES: 101 (39 reservable, remaining are first-come first-served foundation)
- This campground is positioned on the north aspect of the Wonderland of Rocks in a secluded space off of Freeway 62. It’s 13 miles east of Joshua Tree Village and 10 miles west of Twentynine Palms
- Open yr spherical
- RV Max Size 35 Toes
- Vault bathrooms can be found right here
- No showers, no potable water, no dump station
- Trash/Recycling Assortment is out there right here
- Water is out there on the ranger station positioned roughly 2 miles north of the campground
Jumbo Rocks Campground
- TOTAL SITES: 124
- This campground is positioned within the middle of the park, alongside Park Boulevard
- Reservations might be made as much as six months upfront, they’re required year-round
- Open yr spherical
- No showers, no potable water, no dump station
- Vault bathrooms can be found right here
- Trash/Recycling Assortment is out there right here
- RV Max Size 35 Toes
Ryan Campground
- TOTAL SITES: 32 (4 are designated equestrian websites with reservations required, 3 are bicycle websites)
- This campground is positioned within the middle of the park alongside Park Boulevard, adjoining to the California Using and Mountain climbing Path. This route is standard with multi-day backpackers for backcountry tenting in addition to horseback riders
- Open yr spherical
- No showers, no potable water, no dump station
- RV Max Size 35 Toes
- Pit bathrooms can be found right here
- Trash/Recycling Assortment is out there right here
First-Served Campgrounds
The finest wager for locating a walk-up camp spot throughout the peak season is to drive by means of the campground within the early morning hours and look ahead to people who find themselves packing up. Should you wait to search for websites later within the day, the transition of campers shifting in or out may have already taken place. Take a look at what are “walk-up solely campsites” to find out how they work and suggestions for locating one of the best websites.
Belle Campground
- TOTAL SITES: 18 (all are first-served websites)
- This campground is positioned within the middle of the park alongside Pinto Basin Highway
- Open yr spherical
- No showers, no potable water, no dump station
- Pit bathrooms can be found right here
- RV Max Size 35 Toes
- Trash/Recycling Assortment is out there right here
Hidden Valley Campground
- TOTAL SITES: 44 (all are first-served campsites, none might be reserved upfront)
- This campground is centrally positioned alongside Park Boulevard
- Open yr spherical
- No showers, no potable water, no dump station
- Pit bathrooms can be found right here
- RV Max Size 24 Toes
- Trash/Recycling Assortment is out there right here
Indian Cove Campground
- TOTAL SITES: 101 (This is likely one of the largest campgrounds however solely 39 websites are reservable, the remaining are first-come first-served foundation)
- This campground is positioned on the north aspect of the Wonderland of Rocks in a secluded space off of Freeway 62. It’s 13 miles east of Joshua Tree Village and 10 miles west of Twentynine Palms
- Open yr spherical
- RV Max Size 35 Toes
- Vault bathrooms can be found right here
- No showers, no potable water, no dump station
- Trash/Recycling Assortment is out there right here
- Water is out there on the ranger station positioned roughly 2 miles north of the campground
White Tank Campground
- TOTAL SITES: 15
- This campground is centrally positioned within the park alongside Pinto Basin Highway
- Open yr spherical
- No showers, no potable water, no dump station
- Trash/Recycling Assortment is out there right here
- RV Max Size 24 Toes
Group Campgrounds
Indian Cove and the Sheep Move Group Campground are the finest for big teams.
Cottonwood Group Campground
- TOTAL SITES: 3 (Reservation is required)
- Most variety of individuals per website ranges from 15-25 relying on the location
- This campground is positioned within the southeast space of the park alongside Pinto Basin Highway close to the Cottonwood Customer Middle
- Open yr spherical
- Potable water and flush bathrooms can be found right here
- No showers
- Trash/Recycling Assortment is out there right here
- Dump Station is out there right here
- RV Max Size 35 Toes
- No RV hookups, RV-accessible potable water and dump stations
Indian Cove Group Campground
- TOTAL SITES: 13
- Most variety of individuals per website ranges from 15-60 relying on the location
- This campground is positioned on the north aspect of the Wonderland of Rocks in a secluded space off of Freeway 62. It’s 13 miles east of Joshua Tree Village and 10 miles west of Twentynine Palms
- Open yr spherical
- RV Max Size 24 Toes
- Vault bathrooms can be found right here
- No showers, no potable water, no dump station
- Trash/Recycling Assortment is out there right here
- Water is out there on the ranger station positioned roughly 2 miles north of the campground
Sheep Move Campground
This location solely presents group campsites, there aren’t any particular person websites right here.
- TOTAL SITES: 6
- Most variety of individuals per website ranges from 20-50 relying on the location
- This campground is centrally positioned within the park alongside Park Boulevard
- Open yr spherical
- This can be a tent tenting solely website, leisure autos and liveable trailers are NOT allowed
- Picnic tables and hearth pits can be found at every website
- Vault bathrooms can be found right here
- Trash/Recycling Assortment is out there right here
- Potable water is out there on the Oasis Customer Middle or West Entrance, 13 miles away
- There’s a devoted parking space however no overflow parking is out there
- Car entrance charges are charged on prime of the tenting payment
Backcountry Tenting
There are 15 zones for backpacking in Joshua Tree. You should get hold of a allow to camp in a zone. Should you don’t have a allow you’ll be able to hike by means of a zone, however, you can’t camp in a single day and not using a allow for that particular zone.
- Black Rock
- Boy Scout Path
- Nice Valley
- Covington
- Misplaced Horse
- Pinto Mountains
- Juniper Flats
- Pine Metropolis
- Hexie Mountains
- Quail Wash
- Twin Tanks
- Eagle Mountains
- The Maze
- North Entrance
- East Zone
The Boy Scout zone is the most well-liked, backpackers are solely allowed to camp in one of many 14 designated websites inside that zone.
Joshua Tree Boondocking
While you don’t have superior reservations, one of many finest methods to go to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park throughout the busy season is to make use of the BLM free tenting areas. You possibly can pull up on a Friday afternoon and simply discover a spot to arrange camp within the desert. It’s additionally nice when you’ll be able to’t get group websites (so long as you might be prepared to dry camp). The BLM California Desert District Workplace is the company that manages this space.
As we mentioned earlier, we felt snug tenting within the BLM space to the south of the park, however, we have been uneasy in regards to the space to the north of the park so we advocate avoiding the northern BLM space.
Actions
Joshua Tree is nice for land-based actions. Right here’s a checklist our favourite issues to do within the park.
Cranium Rock Nature Path: We liked staying on the Jumbo Rocks Campground as a result of it was wonderful to be nestled between large granite boulders, and, as a result of so many cool issues are inside strolling distance of the campground. We took the Discovery Path to the Cranium Rock Nature Path for a pleasant straightforward morning hike. The straightforward Cranium Rock loop path is simply over 1.5 miles and meanders round boulder piles and desert washes. The rock that appears like a cranium attracts numerous guests so the parking space is often full. The parking space is positioned alongside the principle east-west park street instantly throughout from the Cranium Rock.
Cholla Cactus Backyard: Dwelling within the desert space close to Phoenix, I’ve seen my share of cholla cacti however I’ve by no means seen as many in a single location as I noticed on this place. This 1/4 mile loop is a flat straightforward stroll amongst hundreds of cholla cactus crops that cowl the panorama. I liked the little bridges and groomed paths. It’s vital to remain on the trail as a result of although they appear fuzzy and tender, these cacti are prickly. You don’t need to be pulling painful thorns out of your footwear, garments or physique!
Misplaced Palms Oasis: This was among the finest hikes to expertise a fan palm oasis within the southern a part of the park. This out-and-back 7.5 mile path is strenuous however value it. The path begins with sandy washes and rolling terrain and ultimately takes you down right into a canyon to discover the fan palms. The climb out of the canyon is the hardest a part of the hike. Use the Cottonwood Spring parking space to entry this path.
Keys View: It takes about 20 minutes to drive from Park Boulevard up Keys View Highway. The vacation spot sits on the Little San Bernardino Mountains the place you’ll expertise 360 diploma views of the encompassing space. There’s a lookout that’s ADA accessible. There’s additionally a .2-mile loop mountain climbing path with a gradual incline. The trail extends up the ridge for even higher panoramic views. That is one of the best brief hike within the park to see the panorama from a lofty perspective. The distant view of the San Gorgonio Mountain is gorgeous with a snow-covered peak reaching over 11,000 ft into the clear blue sky. You’ll additionally admire views of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Salton Sea, Coachella Valley and San Andreas Fault. On a transparent day you’ll be able to see the Sign Mountain in Mexico. This can be a great spot for dawn and sundown views and pictures in addition to stargazing at evening.
Arch Rock Nature Path: This straightforward hike wanders by means of sandy and rocky terrain. It’s described as a “lollipop path” since you begin in a straight line that results in a circle on the finish. You around the circle and return on the “lollipop stick” (the straight line) again to the parking zone. It’s finest to do the “lollipop” part in a counterclockwise route as a result of it’s simpler to identify the arch, search for it on the midway level. Expertise this nearly 1.5 mile loop by parking within the Twin Tanks Car parking zone.
Total Panorama: The range of plant and animal life is wonderful as a result of this park is the place the Mojave desert and Colorado deserts meet providing views of Joshua tree woodlands, native palm oases and huge open areas of creosote scrub. We have been excited to be visiting when the wildflowers have been exploding in coloration. The prettiest scenes have been in view on our drive into the park from our boondocking location south of the park.
Wildlife Viewing: As a result of we dwell in the same local weather at house, the wildlife was not tremendous thrilling to us as a result of we see it regularly within the Arizona desert. However, it’s nonetheless value holding you eyes open to see the antelope, floor squirrels, coyotes, bighorn sheep, mule deer, lizards, ravens, quail, hawks and street runners.
What we missed, however, have on our checklist for our subsequent go to: Wonderland of Rocks. We’re not rock climbers however we love watching individuals who determine to crawl over magnificent boulders and scale rock partitions. That is the world the place many of the mountaineering happens inside Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. We ran out of time however will make this a cease on our subsequent go to.
Elevations, Climate & Security
The elevation (and temperature) varies tremendously inside the park. It’s lowest elevation is 536 ft on the southeast nook. It’s highest elevation is 5,814 ft on the prime of Quail Mountain. The Jumbo Rocks Campground elevation is 4,380 ft above sea stage. The common temperatures for Joshua Tree Nationwide Park all year long are:
JAN 60°F Excessive / 37°F Low
FEB 63°F Excessive / 38°F Low
MAR 71°F Excessive / 42°F Low
APR 78°F Excessive / 47°F Low
MAY 85°F Excessive / 53°F Low
JUN 96°F Excessive / 52°F Low
JUL 100°F Excessive / 71°F Low
AUG 99°F Excessive / 69°F Low
SEP 93°F Excessive / 64°F Low
OCT 81°F Excessive / 52°F Low
NOV 69°F Excessive / 43°F Low
DEC 58°F Excessive / 35°F Low
Finest Time Of 12 months For Joshua Tree Tenting
Spring (March, April and Could) and fall (October and November) are the finest tenting seasons.
- Excessive temperature ranges: 70-85°F
- Low temperature ranges: 40-50°F
By early June the climate is getting actually heat, throughout the summer time months it’s sizzling.
Winter daytime temperatures hover round a snug 60°F, however, the in a single day lows are at or beneath freezing with some areas within the park really accumulating snow.
- Tent campers and backpackers undoubtedly want a 4-season sleeping bag and tent throughout the months of December, January and February, at a minimal.
Be cautious throughout ALL SEASONS as a result of excessive winds and flash floods aren’t unusual.
The park is busiest within the spring season, plus, holidays are crowded too.
Joshua Tree campgrounds are booked nicely upfront throughout the busy season, contemplate boondocking on BLM land simply exterior of the park boundaries or staying in non-public RV parks.
RV parks within the surrounding group embody: Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground
- 2601 Sunfair Rd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- (760) 366-1213
- That is about 21 miles from the park’s north entrance
FREE Journey Planner
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