Description

Visit Ryan Campground on your next Joshua Tree camping trip for the rare experience of sitting atop a towering boulder as the golden glow of sunset lights up the desert before the stars take over the sky. Choose from 31 reservable campsites near the park’s center with easy access to Mt. Ryan and Cap Rock. Sites come equipped with fire rings, picnic tables, and pit toilets. Like many Joshua Tree National Park camping locations, Ryan Campground does not offer potable water, so be sure to bring plenty for drinking and cooking. Horse lovers are welcome—Ryan Campround houses one of just two designated horse camps in Joshua Tree National Park.

Campsite area
Tent sites
31 sites
Up to 6 guests per site
Up to 6 vehicles
No wheelchair access
Essentials
Campfires allowed
Toilet available
Pets allowed
Amenities
Picnic table available
No potable water
No showers

Activities

Offered near the campground.

Biking

Biking in this park provides some pretty jaw-dropping views, but is also restricted to vehicular roads (i.e., if a car or OHV c...Read more

Hiking

Rich with breathtaking landscape that feels like a forgotten land on another planet, there are miles and miles of trails for ex...Read more

Horseback riding

Sometimes, a strikingly beautiful place is just made better by the presence of a good friend. We believe this absolutely applie...Read more

Off-roading (OHV)

You KNOW those endless stretches of California desert are calling your name, and you can feel your fingers itching at the thoug...Read more

Climbing

We see you, climber, explorer of boulders, scaler of mountains. While everyone else is standing, jaw agape, iPhones out, you ca...Read more

Wildlife watching

The desert is full of secrets, and one of the biggest ones is the abundance of life that finds home in the nearly 800,000 acres...Read more

Terrain

Natural features you'll find at Ryan Campground.

Desert
Hipcamp makes it easy to find unique camping experiences.
Discover campsites, ranches, vineyards, farms, glamping, public parks and more.

12 Reviews

750
No one? Bueller? Sharing is caring, y'all.
Drop some Ryan Campground knowledge on us.
Hipcamper Nicholas
Nicholas H.
recommends this listing.
March 3rd, 2018

This small campsite is a good staging base for the Lost Horse Mine hike. It can fill up quickly though, but normally has a few spots left even when places like Hidden Valley are full.

Hipcamper Stephanie
Stephanie O.
recommends this listing.
September 6th, 2017

Reserve in advance!

Hipcamper Emily
Emily S.
recommends this listing.
June 20th, 2017

Get here early to get a spot! It's worth it.

Hipcamper Kierstin
Kierstin W.
didn't provide a recommendation.
May 31st, 2017

Awesome campground in Joshua Tree, all (I believe) are first come, first serve in Joshua Tree, so this is the third campground we drove through before finding an empty site. Glad we did! Most of the sites are tucked into the rocks, great spot if you're a climber, we didn't have any gear but scrambled to the top to watch the sunset. Large, clean campsites. Clean restrooms and easy "check-in" process. Make sure to stop and get firewood before you get into the park as it takes awhile to get to the closest gas station to pick any up. Dog friendly, but they must be on a leash.

Hipcamper omar
Omar C.
didn't provide a recommendation.
May 17th, 2017

Amazing campground here in Joshua tree Park ranger said all campgrounds were full but luckily we found someone leaving here at Ryan. Bathrooms are very clean and do not smell. Campsites are very large with flat spot for tent, Alot of trails and places to go in Joshua tree. I am not a big fan of the sun but it was still an amazing experience. Most campsites do not have any shade so be warned. We brought a cal king sheet and some para-cord and managed to make shift a good shade over our picnic table. It was a lot of fun and an amazing experience. park rangers are friendly here as well. also for photographers and filmmakers. flying drones in the park can lead to a hefty fine. And make sure we clean up after ourselves and keep our parks clean.

Hipcamper Mark
Mark B.
recommends this listing.
April 5th, 2017

I recommend the sites on the east side of the campground so as to put your tent in a place where it's blocked from the wind

Hipcamper Mark
Mark B.
recommends this listing.
April 5th, 2017

I recommend the sites on the east side of the campground so as to put your tent in a place where it's blocked from the wind

Hipcamper Max
Max S.
didn't provide a recommendation.
March 2nd, 2017

I really enjoyed staying in this campground. A kind soul shared her campsite with me, (thanks Brittany!) in what turned out to be a lovely night in Joshua Tree. Coyotes howlin', beautiful stars, and brisk nights in a smaller sized campground. Only thing that bothered me was the campers looking for sites at 11:00pm at night. Camp here if you can/share your spot if you are willing!

Hipcamper Trish
Trish K.
recommends this listing.
February 21st, 2017

Get there early AM, no reservations!

Park
Joshua Tree National Park
State
California
Country
United States
Phone Number
760-367-5554
Directions
View on Google Maps
Official Website
View Website
Coordinates
33.983° N, 116.155° W
$10/night
Tent Only: 31 Sites
(Up to 6 people per site)