Looking for tent camping near Joshua Tree National Park? Find the best information on tent camping near Joshua Tree National Park, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Joshua Tree National Park, California's most popular destinations.
Calico is an old West mining town that has been around since 1881 and was abandoned in the mid-1890s after silver lost its value. The town that once gave miners a good living lost its hustle and became a “ghost town.”
Walter Knott purchased Calico in the 1950’s architecturally restoring all but the five original buildings to look as they did in the 1880’s. Calico received State Historical Landmark 782 and in 2005 was proclaimed by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to be California’s Silver Rush Ghost Town.
Today, Calico is part of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks system, which is visited by people from across the country and from all over the world. Along with its history and attractions, Calico Ghost Town has shops, restaurants and offers camping, hiking and off-roading.
$6 / night
Located alongside an old riverbed in the high desert south of Victorville, Mojave Narrows offers lush plant growth, acres of waterways, impressive strands of cottonwood and willows and broad meadows all naturally landscaped by nature. The park is home to more than 1,500 species of watchable wildlife.
In addition there is year-round fishing, disc golf course, equestrian trails, a playground, climbing rocks, splash pad and hiking trails.
For campers, there are tent campsites along the shores of both Horseshoe Lake and Pelican Lake. RV sites with full hook-ups are also located near Horseshoe Lake.
Mojave Narrows Regional Park offers many options for camping and is dog-friendly and is accessible for people with disabilities.
Camping Amenities
38 RV or trailer full hookup sites (no tents allowed) 31 tent camping sites along Horseshoe or Pelican Lakes 6 group camping sites 3 group equestrian sites Hot showers and restrooms Grills and fire rings Dump stations
$30 - $47 / night
Holcomb Valley Ranch provides campers with an enchanting escape from the city. We invite you to kick back and relax at our private, 400+ acre ranch in the San Bernardino Mountains just 25 minutes from the Big Bear ski slopes and 15 minutes from Big Bear Lake- A large recreational, fresh-water lake for Summer swimming and water sports. Each campsite is approximately one acre(or more), generously-distanced from neighboring campers with its own fire ring and picnic table. The Ranch feels remote and private. Yet is only four miles to town. Neighboring the Pinnacles, for incredible rock climbing, and surrounded by the National forest, the location offers seemingly endless hiking and epic off-roading trails to enjoy and explore. After a day filled with adventure or relaxation, take in the breath-taking sunsets over the meadow. Then, blanketed in a sea of stars, enjoy toasting up some s’mores and hot-coco over a beautiful warm campfire. The horses are vacationing in sunny Palm Springs for the winter and will be back this Spring. ACCESS AND DIRECTIONS: Please pay close attention to the driving directions we provide. Your GPS may suggest you take Van Dusen Canyon Road or Rim of the World Drive, however, we highly suggest you take Polique Canyon. It is the most direct. The Ranch is about 15 minutes or 3.5 miles up Polique Canyon, on the left. Polique Canyon is a forestry road it does not get ploughed after a snowfall. Particularly during winter months, a 4x4 or AWD vehicle is recommended. After a snowfall, 4x4 or AWD combined with snow chains will likely be needed to successfully navigate Polique Canyon to get to the Ranch. WINTER CAMPING WEATHER CONSIDERATIONS: Big Bear is popular for its snowy white winters. Nighttime temperatures can fall into the single digits. Please check weather.com or another weather app prior to your visit and plan accordingly. When travelling to the mountains during the winter months, be prepared for winter weather driving conditions and always carry chains, extra food/ water, warm clothing/ blankets, and a full tank of gas in the event you become stranded. The sun sets around 7:00PM this time of year. Please arrive and check-in after 2PM and before night fall. Last check-in is at 8PM. WATER: The Ranch has been winterized to protect the pipes from the cold temperatures. Thus, the water has been shut off for winter. Our shower and flushing toilet buildings are currently closed. There are numerous, very clean, portable toilets throughout the Ranch and near each campsite, for guests to use. Please bring a plentiful supply of potable water for drinking, cleansing and extinguishing fires. FIRES: Campfires are permitted at the Ranch unless the Forest Service institutes a fire ban in the surrounding national forest or high winds are expected. Firewood is available for purchase on-site. Just ask your camp host for some bundles when you arrive. CELL RECEPTION: Verizon gets pretty good cell reception at the Ranch. AT&T gets some. Other cell carries are pretty spotty. Please note: Weather conditions in the Big Bear area can change dramatically and rapidly during the winter months. As such, Holcomb Valley Ranch reserves the right to cancel any reservation up to 24 hours prior to arrival due to any extreme or cold weather conditions. Remember the s’mores and always follow the“Leave No Trace” principles. We look forward to hosting you at the Ranch!
$25 / night
Calico is an old West mining town that has been around since 1881 and was abandoned in the mid-1890s after silver lost its value. The town that once gave miners a good living lost its hustle and became a “ghost town.”
Walter Knott purchased Calico in the 1950’s architecturally restoring all but the five original buildings to look as they did in the 1880’s. Calico received State Historical Landmark 782 and in 2005 was proclaimed by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to be California’s Silver Rush Ghost Town.
Today, Calico is part of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks system, which is visited by people from across the country and from all over the world. Along with its history and attractions, Calico Ghost Town has shops, restaurants and offers camping, hiking and off-roading.
