The best big rig friendly camping near Joshua Tree

What do Black Rock, White Tank, Indian Cove, and Jumbo Rocks have in common? They’re all stellar campgrounds beneath the starry night sky in Joshua Tree National Park. (Well, there’s Ryan and Belle campground too, but that didn’t flow as well.)

This magnificent patch of Southern California desert has its main entrance in Twentynine Palms. The 800,000-acre Joshua Tree makes it easy for campers to explore the vast, boulder-laden land. It offers nine campgrounds and nearly 500 sites, all with picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. Half are first-come, first-served, half are reservation only.

If it’s solitude you seek, pitch your tent beneath the massive boulder formations at Belle Campground. With just 18 sites, it’s one of the smaller campgrounds here. Title of smallest goes to White Tank Campground with 15 sites. White Tank puts you next to the 0.5-mile Arch Rock Nature Trail for some easy hiking and wildflower viewing.

Rock climbers hang out at the in-demand, 44-site Hidden Valley campground. Its close proximity to the otherworldly Wonderland of Rocks makes this a difficult campground to score. The 99-site Black Rock campground owes its popularity to the rare presence of running water. If you need flush toilets and some especially dramatic Joshua trees to admire, sleep here.

Summers are brutally hot, and winters can be freezing here. Prime Joshua Tree camping months are March, April, October, and November. Bring your own water and firewood (and a horse if you’re headed to Black Rock and Ryan Campgrounds.)