Where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park

There are numerous options for where to stay in or near Joshua Tree National Park! Whether you are looking for a free place to get some rest, or want some good ‘ole a/c, there is a place for you! Of course, no matter where you decide to stay, please remember to LEAVE NO TRACE. Pack out all of your trash and respect the beautiful land that you are here to enjoy.

Free Camping in Joshua Tree

BLM Dispersed Camping:

Ah, my favorite option- the free one! (What is BLM Land?)

BLM Land North of JTNP: This area is just a 15 minute drive from the main (west) entrance. When coming from the west entrance of the park, take a right on Hwy 62. After about 4 miles you will turn left onto Sunfair Rd. Travel 1.5 miles then turn right onto Fourth St. Drive about 1 mile down Fourth St. then take a left on Cascade Rd. From there you will continue on this road for about 0.5 mile and you will be there. There are usually numerous campers around, but there is plenty of land to go share! The area also has good cell service.
BLM Land South of JTNP: To get to this camping area, you will drive 6 miles south of the Cottonwood Visitor Center. At mile 6, you will pass an aqueduct. Right past the aqueduct, take a right or left onto the dirt rd. You will see small fire rings designating camping “spots”. They are plentiful and well-spaced out. The call service is spotty here.

Walmart:

The Walmart parking lot is always a go-to when traveling for a quick sleep. With so much BLM land, you likely will not stay here every night, but if you’re needing a re-supply or looking for a flush toilet and sink this will be a good option. It is located in Yucca Valley, just a 15 min drive from the main entrance.

Camping inside Joshua Tree National Park

There are a handful of campgrounds within the park. Along with tents, all of the campgrounds allow RVs to use their sites, but there are no hookups.

Reservable Campgrounds:

If you are planning your trip in advance, I would suggest grabbing one of the reservable campgrounds below:

Jumbo Rocks: $20/night, great central location, vault toilets, no showers or water
Ryan: $20/night, great central location, vault toilets, or water
Cottonwood: $25/night, located near the south entrance of the park, has flush toilets and potable water
Indian Cove: $20/night, located right off of hwy 62 in between the west and north entrances to the park, vault toilets, no water
Black Rock: $25/night, located just 5 miles from Yucca Valley, in the northwest corner of the park, has flush toilets and potable water

To reserve a campsite, visit recreation.gov

First-come/First-serve Campgrounds

The park also offers a few first-come/first-served campgrounds. This is a good option if you have a flexible schedule and are willing to take a risk! Make sure to always have a back-up plan, as they are never guaranteed. Here are your options:

Hidden Valley: $15/night, the campground is centrally located and one of the most popular in the park. There are 44 sites, vault toilets and no water
Belle: $15/night, centrally located, 18 sites, vault toilets and no water
White Tank: $15/night, centrally located, 25 sites, vault toilets and no water
Indian Cove: $20/night, located right off of hwy 62 in between the west and north entrances to the park, 92 FC/FS sites, vault toilets, no water

Backcountry Camping

In JTNP, it is very easy to get into the backcountry. The “rules” are as followed:

You must be at least 1 mile from the road
You must be at least 500 ft away from trails/water sources
No camping at “day” use only areas

Before heading out, be sure to register at one of the numerous backcountry stations throughout the park

Camping outside of the Park

There are a couple of RV parks near the northern entrances of the park. This would be a good option if you are looking for RV hookups or if you are a tent camper looking for amenities such as a bathhouse and shower.

RV Parks:

Twentynine Palms RV resort: Located in Twentynine palms, just 2 miles from the northern entrance. This RV Park offers full hookups, indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, fitness center, laundry facilities, and bathhouses. The park also offers indoor cottages for rent.
- RV full: averaged $50/night
- Cottages: $115-$150/night
Joshua Tree Lake RV and Campground: Located 14 miles from the main entrance, this park offers both RV and tent camping, as well as bathhouses for guests.
- RV dry camping $30/night
- RV full hookup $50/night
- Tent camping $15/person/night
JT’s Sportsman Club: Located just 5.6 miles from the main entrance, the park offers both RV and tent camping, as well as bathhouses.
- RV dry camping: $39/night
- RV full hookup: $50/night
- Tent camping: $28/night

If none of these options suit your travel plans, you always have the option of booking a hotel or an air bnb, I would suggest looking in the areas of Twentynine Palms, and Yucca Valley for good access to the park!

Now that you’ve snagged your spot, be sure to check out our MUST-DO hikes in Joshua Tree!

Happy Camping!