Private sites RV camping near Joshua Tree
Hardy adventurers with an appetite for serene desert scenery head to this vast SoCal wilderness.
94% (127 reviews)
- Joshua Tree
94% (127 reviews)
Top-rated campgrounds
Camper favorites near Joshua Tree
Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
Stories from the community
M
Mike
2 weeks ago
Tent
With pets
Loved camping here with my family would definitely come back again and they were so nice and will definitely recommend to others
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G
Gabriella
3 weeks ago
Tent
The location was a great little getaway and close enough to the town center to do some shopping/exploring & hiking.
The tent was gorgeous, clean, well equipped shelter, good views & the compost toilet was clean as well.
The nights get cold, and I brought plenty of bedding to stay warm.
I will definitely be coming back, maybe with a group of friends the next time.
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M
Maria Elena
July 2025
16 ft car
Ronald was a superb host! He allowed us to check in at 2am and waited up for us in order to make sure we got to our campsite.
In the morning he stopped by to show us around the campground and to fill up the mineral water tub for us.
He gave us dates as a thank you gift!
His wife is a Korean Master Chef and we wish we had taken advantage of her culinary ability but we ran out of time. We sure wished we had had more time to spend at The Mineral Springs Date Farm.
Highly recommend it!
Soaking in the mineral water was a highlight of our road trip. We appreciated the quietness of the area.
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J
Jeri
July 2025
Tent
With kids
We had a great time! The canvas tent is very spacious and clean. The bed was extremely comfortable which was a huge plus so we didn't have to use our sleeping pads. The sink and toilet were also very convenient. We will definitely be back.
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A
Ana
July 2025
Tent
We spent a very pleasant weekend in a very private place. If you want peace and quiet, this is the perfect spot. Obviously, the heat isn't pleasant, but the h tb is refreshing. Thanks to the owners; they are very nice.
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R
Rheanna
July 2025
Tent
We had the best time this weekend (despite it being 104 at times 😅)! The private hot spring on site was phenomenal. We chose not to turn the heat on so we could cool off when necessary and it was the perfect way to end each night. The communal pool was a must to endure the heat during the day—an excellent amenity. The first night we had the ramen and it was amazing!! So fresh and so good. We also had some of the dates from the property and they were some of the best I’d ever had. 10/10 recommend and would go back, but maybe not in the dead of summer lol.
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Taylor
July 2025
Tent
Great place to camp. Ron and Myung were great hosts. The private mineral spring and the community pool were very nice in the hot weather.
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Rayna
July 2025
Tent
With pets
We enjoyed staying at the BYO tent site and exploring Idyllwild for the weekend!
A few notes from our stay:
-The site is a 5-minute drive to downtown! It does sit near a road, so there is slight car noise, but you can’t see the road or cars from the site, so it feels very private.
-The hosts were very communicative. They met us upon arrival and let us know when they would be stopping by the property.
-The site is large and easily accommodated our two-person tent, truck, dog, and hammock. It could accommodate a lot larger, too! There’s a small drop-down that could fit a small second tent too. The sun shines on the site from around 10 am-3 pm this time of year.
-You’ll definitely need 4WD; the grade is steep to get to the site. The compost toilet is at the top of the hill, so you’ll need to be able-bodied to get to the top as well.
-The water spigot worked great, and there was a bear box at the site to store food.
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L
Lauren
July 2025
Tent
I loved camping at the boulder garden sanctuary, coming here is always a restorative experience and I’ve never seen anything else quite like it. This place is perfect for nature enthusiasts, art lovers, and anyone looking to camp/spend some time somewhere beautiful and remote. The hosts here are very welcoming, the art installations are captivating, and the views incredible. This stop is a must if you’re traveling by!
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Ema
June 2025
Tent
With pets
Simple, clean tent on a large woodsy property just outside of the main area of town.
Enjoy morning coffee amongst the trees ☕️
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Jonathan
June 2025
Tent
I wanted to try something different and it was fun. It was windy but the trees buffered a good amount. Fun camp!
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Megan
June 2025
Tent
Shayna (and dogs!) greeted me at check in and showed me to my campsite - I slept at the geodome site and the surrounding boulders were otherworldly! Easy and friendly check in, clean facilities, gorgeous views and great wildlife. Saw lots of birds, rabbits, bats, and not a single other human. Great stargazing too! Highly recommend!
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D
Danny
June 2025
Tent
With kids
We stayed at Macala Orchards in the Elderberry campground and had a fantastic experience. The site was clean, spacious, and well-maintained—perfect for our group of nine, with plenty of room to spread out comfortably. The newly built shower, sink, and toilet outhouse were spotless and thoughtfully designed, and the ground well faucet was a nice touch for easy access to water.
We were warmly greeted by David, who was an excellent host. He answered all our questions, both in person and via text, and made sure we were well taken care of throughout our stay. The location strikes a great balance: it’s secluded enough to feel like a true getaway, yet only about 15 minutes from supermarkets and restaurants.
Highly recommend for anyone looking for a peaceful, private campground with great amenities and a welcoming host!
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D
Duncan
May 2025
Tent
With kids
Great campsite at the amazing boulder gardens where we had a great time exploring. Amazing view from camp, stunning sunrises. Hosts were super friendly and helpful. Will definitely be back.
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S
Shay
May 2025
Tent
Super unique building in a wonderful setting. Had a great time exploring all the mysteries hidden in the boulders!
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S
Sara
May 2025
Tent
With kids
100% recommend. This was the most incredible spot with epic boulder climbing all around. Clean porta potties and friendly people who live on site. Make sure you say hi to Rick and his rattlesnakes and Budda, their friendly dog. We only stayed one night but could have stayed much longer.
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Brian
May 2025
16 ft car
With kids
The perfect alternative to JT. They have this place really dialed.
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Michael
May 2025
Tent
With kids
Great little spot. Super close to town. Definitely need legit 4x4. It was pretty steep and a little rutted heading out. Kinda steep on foot. No prob with a 4x4.
Didn’t love that I could hear the highway from the camp but other than that it was great.
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Sean
May 2025
Tent
Group trip
This place is super awesome! The host David was the nicest dude ever. The campsite was perfect for 12 people and such a beautiful area as well. The tour is highly recommended too. They have so much passion in what they do. For sure coming back very soon!!
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S
Steve
May 2025
23 ft travel trailer
It was beautiful on Nina’s land. We were looking for an “off the beaten path” place to spend the weekend and had the best weekend ever! David, the host, was great and most accommodating. He gave us a tour and talked about the property like the heaven it was! It was peaceful and quiet, lots of trails to hike and lots of birds, flora and fauna to see! We will definitely be back, especially to see the olives being harvested and made into olive oil! We purchased some to try! 5 star weekend!
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Private sites RV camping near Joshua Tree guide
Overview
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.)
Nearby attractions
- Step into the heart of the desert while camping near Mojave Trails National Monument. An untamed wilderness offering unique landscapes, Mojave Trails camping is your chance to experience stunning sunsets, ancient lava flows, and historical routes. A truly magnificent place to reconnect with nature!
- Camping near Sand to Snow National Monument is like stepping into an outdoor paradise. With a diverse landscape from desert to snowy peaks, the camping experience here is as rich as the area's biodiversity. Embrace the true spirit of Sand to Snow camping!
- Embark on an unforgettable camping adventure near Tahquitz Rock, a majestic rock formation in Southern California. Camp in the serene wilderness, marvel at the towering rock, and witness breathtaking views.