You don’t need to stop dreaming about vacations just because summer has come to an end. In fact, some of the best months to plan a Joshua Tree trip are right around the corner – as the midsummer months may actually be too hot for many people to enjoy. Comfort is key when you are visiting the desert, and there is no more comfortable way to camp than with Orange County RV rentals from 1st Choice RV.
Campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park boasts 500 campsites dispersed between eight unique campgrounds. Five of these campgrounds accept reservations which can be made up to six months in advance at recreation.gov. The remaining three campgrounds (Belle, Hidden Valley, and White Tank) are first come, first served. While possible to get a site in one of these campgrounds that is a pretty big roll of the dice when traveling through the desert. If you are planning a Joshua Tree trip on a weekend or holiday, especially, we highly recommend making a reservation in advance.
Indian Cove Campground has 101 rustic campsites. The campground has vault toilets but no running water and no cell service.
While still no cell service, those staying in one of the 62 campsites at Cottonwood Campground will enjoy a couple more amenities including potable water and flush toilets.
For those looking to avoid a rustic experience, consider Black Rock Campground. Located only five miles from the town of Yucca Valley, campers can easily duck into town for any last-minute needs. Additionally, this campground has both cell service and internet connectivity in addition to potable water, flush toilets, and a dump station.
Jumbo Rocks Campground provides one of the best jumping-off points in Joshua Tree, as it is a centrally located campground in the park. As such, it is also rustic in nature – with no potable water or cell service and only simple vault toilets for campers to use.
Ryan Campground is also centrally located and has similarly limited amenities to Jumbo Rocks. This is a smaller campground with only 31 sites so it is a good option for those looking for more guaranteed peace and quiet.
What is there to do in Joshua Tree National Park?
People often associate the desert with vast emptiness and nothing to do, and that couldn’t be further from the case at Joshua Tree. Using one of the above campgrounds as a base area, you have ample opportunities to explore one of the country’s best-kept secrets in terms of national parks. Observing the otherworldly landscape alone is enough to warrant a visit – as both sunrises and sunsets are often absolutely breathtaking as colors dance on the many rock formations and namesake vegetation of the park. Often during these crepuscular hours, wildlife comes out to play as well – keep your eyes peeled for the 57 species of mammal, 46 species of reptile, over 250 species of birds, and 2 amphibians that call this park home.
For those looking for more activity, Joshua Tree is riddled with hikes for all ability levels. Short jaunts around the campground or longer loops deeper into the wilderness are aplenty in this desert landscape. If the rocks themselves are calling to you consider hiring a local guide from Joshua Tree Climbing Guides, Cliffhanger Guides, or Mojave Guides to take you rock climbing in this world-class destination for the sport.
After a day out exploring the park, crane your head upwards to stargaze. Joshua Tree National Park is home to some of the darkest sky in California, and some of the best places to view it can be right from the foot of your Orange County RV rentals (so long as the lights are off!).
Joshua Tree is the perfect destination for a motorhome vacation, and 1st Choice RV is the perfect outfitter to get you started. Whether you have more questions about this remarkable park or are ready to reserve your motorhome, give our team a call today – we’re always happy to help!
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