Desert winds sweep across the high country at Black Rock Campground, where Joshua trees dot the landscape and rough park roads lead to 99 spacious sites. Located on the northwestern edge of Joshua Tree National Park, this National Park Service campground operates from January through September and requires no park entrance fee for access.
Campers find themselves in an exposed desert setting with minimal shade, where site spacing varies considerably throughout the loops. "Beautiful landscape with Joshua Trees thoughout," notes Mark M., though he cautions that level sites are scarce. The campground's location outside the main park boundaries means visitors must drive separately to reach iconic Joshua Tree destinations, but hiking trails begin directly from camp. Wildlife sightings include coyotes passing through during daylight hours.
Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring, with potable water spigots and flush toilets distributed throughout the campground. A small visitor center houses a gift shop and rotating art gallery. The dump station serves RVs up to 35 feet, though the rough internal roads challenge low-clearance vehicles. Cell service reaches most sites, and the proximity to Yucca Valley allows easy resupply runs.
Wind poses the primary challenge here, with gusts strong enough to complicate tent setup and campfire management. Reviewers consistently mention the exposed nature of sites and recommend bringing extra tent stakes. The campground accepts reservations, distinguishing it from the first-come, first-served sites deeper in the park. Spring visits offer the chance to see Joshua trees in bloom, while summer heat makes camping uncomfortable.
For those planning extended stays in the region, campgrounds around Yucca Valley provide additional options. Black Rock serves as an effective staging area for park exploration while maintaining convenient access to town amenities.
Description
Overview
Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park trail maps and more! Black Rock Campground lies among one of the thickest Joshua tree forests in Joshua Tree National Park. Its location on the park's northern perimeter makes it a popular rest stop for hikers, birders, horseback riders and RV campers. Black Rock is one of four campgrounds in the national park that requires reservations year-round. To get the most out of your visit, Plan Like a Park Ranger Travelers who enjoy warm, dry winters flock to Joshua Tree from October through May, when temperatures hover between 70 to 90 degrees during the day and drop anywhere between 40 to 60 degrees at night. Summer is the park's off-season due to uncomfortably high desert heat. Black Rock is at an elevation of 4,000 feet and has a mix of both sun and shade.
Recreation
There are many great hiking trails around Black Rock, including some with spectacular views of the low desert and high peaks around Palm Springs. Popular rock climbing sites are within a half-hour drive from the campground.
Facilities
The facility is convenient for RV camping, complete with flush toilets and a dump station. There are no hookups. Black Rock is one of two campgrounds in the national park that provides drinking water. There are 99 individual sites in the facility. Showers, laundry and other amenities are available in the town of Yucca Valley five miles away.
Natural Features
The unique shape of Joshua trees and the huge rocks that surround them draw tourists and scientists alike to the national park. Within the Black Rock facility, the surrounding trees form silhouettes against the landscape during sunrise and sunset and display bunches of blooming white flowers in early spring. Campers staying at Black Rock may have the chance to view the elusive desert tortoise, found only in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Visitors may also want to keep their eyes out for more typical desert inhabitants such as lizards, rattlesnakes, scorpions, coyotes, ravens and desert tarantulas during the cooler months of the year. Bobcats and mountain lions do live in the park, however they are rarely seen near humans. Birders may also be pleasantly surprised at the variety of species found around the campground.
Contact Info
This location is staffed. Please call (760) 367-3001 to speak with local staff.
Charges & Cancellations
Reservation Cancellations & Changes Cancelling a Reservation: Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation (see below). Changing an Existing Reservation: When changes are made prior to the cut-off window: If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee. There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit the recreation fee for the day of departure. There is no change fee if the customer wants to switch sites that are the same price with the same reservation dates in the same facility. If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date. Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Changes or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window: Once a reservation date has begun, customers cannot change a reservation using the online system or through the Call Center (see below for early departures). If the location is staffed, on-site personnel may or may not be able to assist with changes or cancellations (check with local staff). No-Shows Overnight Facilities: A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out (noon) time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time (noon) on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first nights recreation fee for a campsite. *Note: the entire reservation will be cancelled for no-shows.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundBlack Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park is located in California
Directions
Take Interstate 10 to Route 62 into the town of Yucca Valley. Turn south on Joshua Lane and follow signs to campground, about five miles from the turn. If coming south on Highway 247, go straight across Highway 62 and continue onto Joshua Lane. There will be no sign for the park as you cross Route 62.
Address
9800 Black Rock Canyon Road
Yucca valley, CA 92284
Coordinates
34.0716667 N
116.3891667 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 4/25/26- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 42 usersLast on 4/25/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 26 usersLast on 4/25/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 4/25/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 42 usersLast on 4/25/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 26 usersLast on 4/25/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 12 min from Los Angeles, CA
- 2 hrs 16 min from El Centro, CA
- 2 hrs 28 min from San Diego, CA
- 2 hrs 55 min from Lake Havasu City, AZ
