Activities | Camp
| Camping |
Destinations | Deserts
np.joshua.tree
Joshua Tree Backpacking
- camp anywhere in the park by hiking in a mile or more, off the pavement - with
your backpack
- no ground fires are permitted
- back country registration is a must
- check w/ rangers for all back country camping restrictions
- permits are required for overnight camping; pickup @ Visitor Center @ 29Palms
- convenient to Los Angeles & San Diego
Trail head parking spots located at:
| Park |
sites |
elev. |
veg |
toilet |
water |
contact |
cmpgrnd |
| Parking lot near
Belle |
20+ |
3800 |
josh |
none |
none |
Joshua Tree NP
760/367-5500 |
Belle |
|
[Main
hiking trail runs nearby]
29Palms park entrance, 8 mi. south to intersection with Park
Blvd. & Pinto Basin Rd., Veer left onto Pinto Basin &
drive 2 miles to the parking lot on right. |
Joshua Tree Campgrounds
Almost all JT campgrounds are free of charge with your National Park admission fees. Certain campgrounds are busier than others & you may find yourself driving quite a ways to find that perfect spot, so make sure to gas up before you enter this park. Feel the desert beauty & vast space. Stay at one of these smaller campgrounds inside the park.
| campground |
elev. |
spots |
veg |
toilet |
water |
fee |
|
comments |
| White Tank Campground |
3800' |
15 |
josh |
vault |
none |
no |
tall boulders |
760-367-5500 |
| Belle Campground |
3800' |
20 |
josh |
vault |
none |
no |
rock climbing |
760-367-5500 |
Primitive Camping
The only primitive camping is just outside the park boundary
in BLM land toward the east side of the park. It's great for 4x4's
& checking out old mines, but besides that it's pretty desolate.
Rough, rocky & dusty terrain is an understatement. Very little
vegetation, windy conditions & very hot in summers are in
store for any adventurous soul who wants to explore this area.
It is not extremely scenic (compared to the rest of the park)
& a bit on the barren side. If you want absolute solitude,
try it out. Old Dale Road will lead you there from the
park or you can enter from Twentynine Palms area, off Hwy.62 on
Gold Crown Road. Be careful this road is predominately washes
& may require 4x4. For remote camping you may need a camp
fire permit.
Joshua Tree Hiking
| trail |
length |
description |
cmpgrnd |
| Lost Horse Mine |
4 mi.(RT) |
historic mining site |
Ryan |
| Ryan Mountain |
3 mi.(RT) str. |
good lookout points |
Ryan |
| Lost Palm Oasis |
8 mi.(RT) |
largest group of palms |
Cottonwood |
Mountain Biking in JT
Mountain biking is restricted on National Parks. You can only ride on dirt roads. Graded roads
such as Geology Tour Road & the Queen Valley area offer a
bit of off-road satisfaction, but remember no bikes are allowed
on hiking trails.
Off Road Trails in JT
There is plenty to explore off pavement on desert canyons and washes that surround the National Park. Many trailheads & park sights are located on dirt roads, but 4x4 rock crawling is pretty minimal in this desert region. Sandy desert washes and vegetation are plentiful. Vehicles are restricted to paved and dirt roads.
Geology Tour Road, Berdoo Canyon, Thermal Canyon & Queen Valley are just to name a few. Off-road (off dirt roads) driving of any vehicle is strictly prohibited, so no cutting across the open desert like they do in the commercials. Save it for Baja. Best off roading desert option is to grab a OHV map of the Mojave Desert.
Joshua Tree Rock Climbing
By far one of the best areas & most popular for this sport
in Southern California.
This campground is the most centrally located for the climbing
enthusiast.
| camp |
sites |
elev. |
veg |
toilet |
water |
contact |
fee |
| Ryan |
27 |
4300 |
josh |
vault |
none |
Joshua Tree NP
760/367-5500 |
$ 0 |
|
[Great
campground for climbers]
Town of Joshua Tree entrance, go 17 mi. on Park Blvd. to campground. |
offer backpacking adventures out @ JTNP
