Boy Scout Trail Backcountry Sites — Joshua Tree National Park

Hike-in access only and no facilities on trail make the Boy Scout Trail Backcountry Sites one of the more logistically demanding options in Joshua Tree National Park. Registration at the backcountry board in the trailhead parking lot is required before heading out, and NPS rules mandate camping at least one mile from any road and 500 feet from trails or water sources. No fires are permitted. The trailhead parking lot has a restroom, but that's the last facility you'll see. No pets are allowed, and the area draws enough weekend traffic that the registration requirement is worth factoring into arrival plans. Campers who want a front-country alternative can look at Hidden Valley Campground — Joshua Tree National Park, about 2 miles southeast.