Camping in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park feels a little offbeat. And we like it. Maybe it's the cartoonish boulders, beloved by rock climbers and Instagrammers. Or the abandoned mines, lonely oases, and black-tailed jackrabbits that hang around the place like misfits. The namesake trees are a bit fanciful themselves, dotting the California desert with their branches askew like some sort of carefree, silly walkers. Hikers follow trails that twist through boulder clusters, climb scrubby mountains, and beeline to spring-fed oases while rock climbers have their pick of 8,000 established routes. For free-spirited fun, get thee to JT.

• Best for families: Jumbo Rocks Campground bumps against an impressive boulder patch where kids can scramble.
• Best for stargazing: White Tank Campground’s 15 sites are near one of the darkest areas of the park.
• Best for rock climbing: Hidden Valley Campground is close to a number of climbing routes.

1. Of the park’s nine campgrounds, Cottonwood and Indian Grove have individual and group sites. Sheep Pass is a group campground.
2. Campsites at Black Rock, Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks, Ryan, and Sheep Pass campgrounds are available by online reservation from September to May. You can reserve a site as early as six months in advance.
3. Belle, Hidden Valley, and White Tank campgrounds are first-come, first-served. They’re extremely popular in spring, so arrive early in the week for your best chance of securing a spot.

Joshua Tree National Park is open year-round, but the busy season is October through May. Since the park sits at the intersection of two deserts—the Mojave and Colorado—summer is not the best time, with daytime temperatures exceeding 100°F. Spring is busiest, when crowds arrive for wildflower blooms and pleasant weather. Fall temperatures are similarly mild. The thermometer hovers at 60°F during the day in winter, with freezing temperatures at night.

• The park has no cell service, but wifi is available at the Oasis and Joshua Tree Visitor Centers.
• It’s recommended that visitors bring one gallon of water per person per day to stay hydrated.
• The park has picnic areas, but no restaurants or grocery stores. Buy food and groceries in Twentynine Palms, one of the other small towns along Highway 62, or in Palm Springs.
• Hammocks, slacklines, and horizontal ropes are not permitted in campgrounds. Elsewhere in the park, they can be tied to rocks and climbing bolts only—never trees or other vegetation.
• Leashed pets are permitted in campgrounds, but pets are not allowed on trails or in the backcountry.

• 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!
• Soak in panoramic views of towering peaks and vast deserts when camping near the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. The serenity and beauty of this area offer a distinct camping experience that will leave you rejuvenated and inspired.