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Guide to Camping in the Joshua Area
 

Camping is another wonderful way to stay and enjoy the Joshua Tree area.    Basically there are 3 alternative to thouse seeking a place to camp
Campgrounds inside the National Park.  The last I checked, there were 490 campsite in  8 campgrounds inside the National Park.  The cost ranges from $5 to $10 per site, depending on the Campground.  Campers can have up to 6 people, 3 tents and 2 cars per site.  Motorhome are allowed at a number of the site.  Advance reservation can only be obtained at  two of these campgrounds; the rest are on a first come first serve basis.  Hence, finding a campsite on a popular weekend without having advanced reservation is extremely difficult.  Water is only available at 2 only of the campground but there are no showers there.  Prospective campers inside the national park must be  very self sufficient.  It is the authors opinion, that if one can handle the logistic of securing a site inside the National Park, it is the preferred choice. 
 
Secret BivySpots.  For those already familiar with the are, there are a number of "secret spots."  generally, finding them requires local "beta" and there is always a question of legality when it comes to such spots.  Most people who use these spots are low impact, often arriving at night, sleeping in there truck or van, and leaving in the morning.  Visitors should be warned that the hi-desert can be a very sketchy place and leaving property of any kind in such area is ill advised.  Anyway, two of the most popular spots are the dry lake bed and section 6. 
 
Campgrounds outside the National Park.  There are basically two camping alternatives that we know of outside the National Park
 Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground is a Rustic Family Camping and Fishing Lake.  They offer hot showers, laundry, an RV dump station, an Ole’ country store, firewood, a super cool lake to fish in, fishing pole rentals, a kid’s playground, horseshoes and off-road access.  This is a bit out of the way but still a cool place.  http://www.jtlake.com/  
 Joshua Tree Climbers Ranch is an experimental joint venture between the American Alpine Club and local climbers.   The Climbers Ranch really does not offer much more than a place to pitch a tent and hang out with friend.  However, often that is all that is needed.  http://www.ClimbersRanch.com/  
 
   
   
   
   
   

 

 

Joshua Tree Ranch

 

Mile 2.9 up Park Blvd.
( 8651 Quail Spring Rd )
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
(760) 366-2788 Info@JoshuaTreeRanch.Com

Gateway to Joshua Tree National Park