Joshua Tree National Park

Alerts

Weather forecast

Sun, Aug 12
Min: 27.22°C
Max: 31.99°C
Clear sky
Mon, Aug 13
Min: 23.46°C
Max: 41.79°C
Clear sky
Tue, Aug 14
Min: 27.54°C
Max: 40.69°C
Clear sky
Wed, Aug 15
Min: 25.52°C
Max: 39.72°C
Clear sky
Thu, Aug 16
Min: 23.39°C
Max: 37.41°C
Clear sky
Fri, Aug 17
Min: 23.71°C
Max: 36.48°C
Clear sky

Air Quality

050100150200300Air Quality Index: 192
Unhealthy (151-200)
The general population may experience health effects, and sensitive individuals' conditions may worsen.

To-Do Activities

  • Auto and ATV
  • Scenic Driving
  • Astronomy
  • Stargazing
  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
  • Group Camping
  • Climbing
  • Rock Climbing
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Self-Guided Tours - Auto
  • Hiking
  • Backcountry Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Horse Trekking
  • Horse Camping (see also camping)
  • Horseback Riding
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Things to explore

Sorry, Not have any trail or things you can explore

Campgrounds and More

Belle Campground information board is shown in front of a trail and a Joshua tree.
Belle Campground

This small campground has 18 sites. There are pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. There is no water so bring plenty of your own. To secure a campsite, 1. Locate an empty campsite. 2. Occupy the site (set up a tent or leave personal items to show site occupancy). 3. Proceed immediately to an entrance station to complete registration and pay. You must pay for the site within one hour of set up. If arriving after entrance stations close, payment may be delayed until morning.

A road leads past a sign that says "Black Rock Canyon Campground"
Black Rock Campground

This large (99 site) campground is located in the northwest corner of the park. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring with rest rooms and water nearby. Shopping facilities are only five miles away in the town of Yucca Valley. Campsites vary in size and can accommodate both tents and RVs. A day-use picnic area and a dump station are also available. For horse owners, a separate area is provided for camping or for staging a ride.

A view looking down onto the Cottonwood Campground showing the bathrooms, tent sites and RV sites.
Cottonwood Campground

The Cottonwood Campground is reservation only and has 62 sites, potable water and flush toilets. The Campground is near the Cottonwood Visitor Center in the southeast part of the park. The closest metropolitan area is Indio about 30 miles away. Cottonwood Campground fees will increase to $35 per site starting January 1, 2025. Cottonwood Group Campground fees will increase to $55 per site starting January 1, 2025.

A pit toilet, information board, emergency phone and a path.
Hidden Valley Campground

The Hidden Valley Campground has 44 sites. There are pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. There is no water so bring plenty of your own. To secure a campsite, 1. Locate an empty campsite. 2. Occupy the site (set up a tent or leave personal items to show site occupancy). 3. Proceed immediately to an entrance station to complete registration and pay. You must pay for the site within one hour of set up. If arriving after entrance stations close, payment may be delayed until the following morning.

A sign that reads 'Joshua Tree National Park... Indian Cove'. Behind it is a building.
Indian Cove Campground

Indian Cove Campground is located off of Highway 62, thirteen miles east of Joshua Tree Village and ten miles west of Twentynine Palms. It has 101 campsites, including thirteen group campsites. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, there are 39 reservable sites. There are vault toilets but no water at the campsites. There is a water bottle/jug filling station at the small ranger station roughly two miles north of the campground. For a RV-filling station, there is one at our headquarters in 29 Palms.

An RV drives past an campground information board.
Jumbo Rocks Campground

There are 124 individual/family sites in Jumbo Rocks Campground. Reservations are required. The campground is centrally located and offers great views of rock formations. This campground is very popular, and sites book up quickly. Campsite fees will increase to $30 per site starting January 1, 2025.

An unpaved road and campground signage is surrounded by vegetation and rock formations.
Ryan Campground

Ryan Campground has 31 campsites. All campsites are reservation only. The campground is centrally located in the park and is adjacent to the California Riding and Hiking Trail. There are 4 designated equestrian sites and reservations are required. For more equestrian campsites, see Black Rock Campground. There is no water available at Ryan Campground. There are 3 bicycle sites available at $5 per night, with no more than 3 tents and 3 people per campsite.

Two informational boards at the sheep pass group campground with large rocky outcrops behind them.
Sheep Pass Group Campground

Sheep Pass Group Campground has 6 group campsites and is centrally located within Joshua Tree National Park and is easily accessible to hiking trails and rock climbing routes. All campsites are by reservation only. It is one of three group campgrounds in the park. Towering rock formations and uniquely-shaped Joshua trees surround the facility. There is no water available in the campground. Campsite fees are increasing to $55 starting January 1, 2025

A picnic table and fire pit are in a campsite. Behind them are large boulders.
White Tank Campground

This is small campground with 15 sites. There are pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. There is no water available. RVs and vehicles with trailers may not exceed 25 feet. To secure a site, 1. Locate an empty campsite. 2. Occupy the site (set up a tent or leave personal items to show occupancy). 3. Proceed immediately to an entrance station to complete registration and pay. You must pay for the site within one hour of set up. If entrance stations are closed, payment may be delayed until morning.

Standard Park Information

Standard Opening Information: Joshua Tree National Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Visitation increases as temperatures moderate in the fall, peaks during the spring wildflower season, and diminishes during the heat of summer. Some areas of the park are designated for day use only. Visitor centers keep separate hours; please see descriptions.


Park Directions Information: From I-10, take exit 117 for CA Hwy 62 toward 29 Palms/Yucca Valley. This will allow you to access the West Entrance, the North Entrance, Black Rock, and Indian Cove. Take exit 168 off I-10 to come in at the park's South Entrance.
Directions URL

Our Operating Hours

wednesday: All Day
monday: All Day
thursday: All Day
sunday: All Day
tuesday: All Day
friday: All Day
saturday: All Day

Weather Specific Information

Days are typically clear with less than 25% humidity. Temperatures are most comfortable in the spring and fall, with an average highs around 85°F (29°C) and average lows around 50°F (10°C) respectively. Winter brings cooler days, around 60°F (15°C), and freezing nights. It occasionally snows at higher elevations. Summers are hot, over 100°F (38°C) during the day and not cooling much below 75°F (24°C) at night.