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Camping
at Josh can be wonderful, horrible, and anything in between. Factors
include getting a spot in the first place (don't even bother looking on a
spring or fall Saturday afternoon), weather, and your neighbors.
Nonetheless the views of the night sky will almost always be superb, the
price is right, and there won't be much of a drive, if any, to your first
climb of the day.
Here's a list of the in-park campgrounds. Note that most are first-come, first-served. Plan your day accordingly. Water isn't available, and while there are firepits, you must bring your own firewood; the local vegetation (both dead and alive) is protected.
| Campground | Elevation | Sites | Fee | Comments |
| Belle | 3800' | 18 | $0 | Belle is out in the hinterlands but has a few worthwhile routes. |
| Black Rock | 4000' | 100 | $10 | This campground is a long drive from any climbing. Has water and flush toilets. |
| Cottonwood | 3000' | 62 | $8 | 3 group sites at $25 each. Has water and flush toilets. |
| Hidden Valley | 4200' | 39 | $0 | This is the most popular site for climbers. Rare to find a spot on weekends. |
| Indian Cove | 3200' | 101 | $10 | A long drive from the park's most popular areas, but Indian Cove has many worthwhile routes. IC also has 13 group sites $20/$35 each. Reservations accepted: 800.365.CAMP or 619.362.4367. |
| Jumbo Rocks | 4400' | 125 | $0 | Even this fills up on busy weekends. Grainy rock. |
| Ryan | 4300' | 31 | $0 | Another coveted campground. Seldom has spots on weekends. |
| Sheep Pass | 4500' | 0 | - | Group camping only; 6 group sites $20/35 |
| White Tank | 3800' | 15 | $0 | Far from Hidden Valley, White Tank has some climbing but is said to have poor quality rock. |
There is a 30-day camping limit each year, with only 14 nights total allowed from October through May. Campsites are limited to six people, two tents, and two cars. Group sites accommodate ten to seventy people.
Beginning March 15, obtain reservations for sites at Black Rock, Indian Cove, and all group sites by calling 800.365.2267. Indian Cove can be reached at 760.362.4367. Other campgrounds are first-come, first-served. It's wise to arrive as early as possible.
Showers are not available and there are no hookups for recreational vehicles.
Water is available at Oasis Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms, Indian Cove Ranger Station, West Entrance, and Black Rock and Cottonwood Campgrounds.
If you wish to have a campfire, bring your own firewood as all vegetation within the park is protected.
Quiet hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM. This includes generators and motors.
Free camping is also available outside the park. Its dusty, there's no water or toilets, and its a bit of a drive, but I've used this area in a pinch. From the town of Joshua Tree head east for 2 miles on Highway 62. Turn north on Sunfair Road. Drive past the small airport, looking carefully for Broadway. Broadway is approximately 2 miles north of Highway 62. At Broadway turn right (east). Continue past the point where the road turns to dirt. In about a mile you'll reach some north-south trending phone lines. Turn north/northeast here, following any of a variety of dirt roads out to the large playa (dry lake bed).
This is BLM land. You can camp anywhere here, shoot at the old refrigerators, and pray it doesn't rain before you leave. Make sure to pack out your trash. Who knows, maybe a site will open up in the park tomorrow!
This document was last updated on Thursday, October 28, 1999
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