Description

If you’re after a weekend of stargazing and wildflower peeping, Cottonwood Campground should probably be added to the “must-stay" list for your next Joshua Tree camping adventure. Tucked away in the south of Joshua Tree National Park at an elevation of 3,000-feet, the campground is nearby Cottonwood Visitor Center, Mastodon Peak, and Lost Palms Oasis. Choose from 62 sites, including three group sites, each with access to picnic tables, fire rings, and flush toilets. Cottonwood Campground is one of just two Joshua Tree National Park camping locations with potable water.

Campsite area
Tent sites
62 sites
Up to 6 guests per site
Up to 6 vehicles
No wheelchair access
Essentials
Campfires allowed
Toilet available
Pets allowed
Amenities
Potable water available
Picnic table available
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 Cottonwood Campground.

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

23 Reviews

750
No one? Bueller? Sharing is caring, y'all.
Drop some Cottonwood Campground knowledge on us.
Hipcamper Richard
Richard B.
didn't provide a recommendation.
October 14th, 2020

FYI: You can reserve campsites for this campground via recreation.com

Hipcamper Solveig
Solveig M.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
April 29th, 2017

This is the southernmost campground in Joshua Tree -- it doesn't have the gravitas of the other sites with the views and the incredible rock formations in the park, but I was glad to snag a site on a busy weekend. The sites are pretty close together, so hope for a good neighbor. There was a big group of preteens -- practically a whole school -- studying geology when I was there, that may have colored my experience a bit.

Hipcamper Jeannine
Jeannine S.
recommends this listing.
April 18th, 2017

First come, first serve. No showers, but plenty of potable water!

Hipcamper Jeo A.
recommends this listing.
April 15th, 2019
Hipcamper Jared A.
recommends this listing.
February 4th, 2020
Hipcamper Deadra M.
recommends this listing.
January 6th, 2019
Hipcamper Saul T.
recommends this listing.
January 28th, 2019
Hipcamper Abigail  R.
recommends this listing.
February 11th, 2019
Hipcamper Caroline A.
recommends this listing.
November 21st, 2018
Hipcamper Chris B.
recommends this listing.
December 14th, 2018
Hipcamper Sophie L.
recommends this listing.
December 31st, 2018
Hipcamper Erin F.
recommends this listing.
January 16th, 2019
Hipcamper Katie S.
recommends this listing.
February 7th, 2019
Hipcamper Chris H.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
July 29th, 2023
Hipcamper Emily S.
recommends this listing.
January 6th, 2020
Hipcamper Sarah D.
recommends this listing.
August 29th, 2018
Hipcamper Nikola D.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
October 23rd, 2018
Hipcamper Clinton J.
recommends this listing.
July 4th, 2018
Hipcamper Jonathan B.
recommends this listing.
June 20th, 2018
Hipcamper Paul W.
recommends this listing.
June 27th, 2017
Hipcamper Andrew M.
recommends this listing.
June 22nd, 2017
Hipcamper Danna R.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
May 7th, 2017
Hipcamper Julie M.
recommends this listing.
January 25th, 2017
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
33.745° N, 115.813° W
$15/night
Tent Only: 62 Sites
(Up to 6 people per site)