$15 / night

Camper submitted image from Hidden Valley Campground — Joshua Tree National Park - 1

Camper submitted image from Hidden Valley Campground — Joshua Tree National Park - 2

Nature

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People

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Established Camping

Hidden Valley Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

39 Reviews

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About

Joshua Tree National Park

The Hidden Valley Campground has 44 sites, pit toilets and no water. The campground is located along park boulevard and is surrounded by large boulders and Joshua Trees. Because of the park's very dry climate, fire danger in Joshua Tree is almost always very high. Be cautious. Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings or grills that are found in park campgrounds or picnic areas. Keep fires small. Bring your own firewood. You may not gather park vegetation, whether living or dead, to fuel your campfire. If you plan to have a campfire, bring extra water to douse it thoroughly.

Reservation Info

All sites are first-come, first-served year-round.

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Location

Hidden Valley Campground — Joshua Tree National Park is located in California

Address

74485 National Park Drive
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Coordinates

34.03227044 N
116.16257897 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Good
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

$15

/ night

For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

First Come - First Served

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Contact

General Info

Ben R.

Ranger

Reviewed May. 23, 2023

All good things

$15 a night, which is a better deal than most NPs will offer and right in the middle of the park! This spot was awesome, lots of wildlife to see (lizards, jackrabbits, etc). There’s plenty of spots that offer great shade, because of the rocks. The rocks are great to boulder, scramble, or climb on. Bring your climbing gear if you’re interested! A baby jackrabbit came right up to me at one point, which was adorable but not great. I guess people feed the critters all the time, so be wary. Don’t feed the animals!! The bathrooms are clean & have trash cans and even lights. There are plenty around, and dumpsters too. They don’t smell either. Picnic tables at every site and fire pit with a grate. Really just a wonderful time here. Mostly for tent camping, but we saw some RVs here and there. Ps. Don’t burn the vegetation lying around, a park ranger told us it’s horrible for burning and creates lots of smoke, and check under your cars for turtles!!! It says that everywhere but incase you miss it

Site40

Month of VisitJune

(6) View All

Chris J.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 21, 2023

Camping among the rocks.

One of 3 campgrounds in Joshua Tree that is first come, first served. Filled up by 4PM in mid May. NO water, no electric no internet. Little shade most of the day. Few sites can accommodate anything larger than a Sprinter. Sites vary from flat to 5 degree slope.

DARK DARK DARK sky.....wonderful.

Site42

Month of VisitJune

Connor W.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 3, 2023

Quintessential Joshua Tree

Hidden Valley is the kind of campsite that begs you to remember where you are. The campground flanks some large rock formations that host rock climbers during the day.

The sites are pretty well spaced out and arranged. I was lucky enough to grab a spot up against the rocks and it was spectacular. Be sure to climb up on the rocks at night for some awesome stargazing. (Don’t forget your headlamp.)

Hidden Valley is first-come first-serve. Once you claim your site, you now have to travel back to an entrance station to pay. So keep that in mind.

Site15

Month of VisitApril

(6) View All

Dorothea M.

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 18, 2023

Great opportunity to experience Joshua Tree

The Campground offers the most basic accommodations as toilets; no water or showers. It operates with the Frist-come-first-serve system and we would highly recommend to ask someone already parking to share a spot; that’s how you have a chance to get in and connect with great people the same Time. Joshua Tree Park shows some its best climbing spots right around the campground and you definitely will find a guide to try rock climbing if you would want to try. Amazing Stargazing; amazing nature, amazing people - thanks for having us!

Site7

Month of VisitApril

Vanessa C.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 18, 2022

INSANE VIEW

Absolutely amazing campground. I pitched a tent at site 2 and had amazing views. No showers, but your camping! Toilets aren’t bad just bring TP and baby wipes. Stars are amazing. You literally cannot go wrong. This is the best campground at Joshua tree

Site2

Month of VisitOctober

(5) View All

Marina K.

Guide

Reviewed May. 19, 2022

Tranquil night under the stars

Saw three shooting stars before bedtime • quiet up until rock climbers made their debut around midnight not only echoing off the boulders but blasting their music for everyone for the next two hours • definitely would come back here in the cooler months • just be mindful of wildlife and drive slowly and cautiously • flies were a deterrent but maybe they are only near the sites closer to restrooms • sites were very clean and well managed • most spots could park a car or two on their sites

Site1

Month of VisitJune

Anna Z.

Guide

Reviewed Jan. 29, 2022

Gorgeous rocks, lots to do, first come

Get there early or on an off day, it's busy these days. Gorgeous campground with a myriad of beautiful rock formations. Sites have metal fire pits, tables, 1-2 parking spaces. Pit toilets, no water. Very close to Barker Dam and other great sites.

Month of VisitOctober

Santiago V.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 21, 2021

Awesome campground

A little bit of a drive up, but very worth it. No service for ATT up there but the views were great. Campsite was very clean. I arrived after dark and found a spot. People were climbing the rocks. Highly recommend. It was $30 dollars for me

Month of VisitOctober

(6) View All

Jordan R.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2021

The best campground in Jtree!

Awesome sites amongst the rocks. Centrally location for a great base camp for day activities.

Month of VisitMay

(8) View All

Ralph

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 24, 2021

Wow!!!

Upon checking in at the West Gate I was told our 19' might be too long for the campground; but, may fit in #1-7. No problem in any of those sites for the Trailer and car.

Weather forecast was for the mid-90's; but the high altitude breeze in the shade was very pleasant. Right before dusk 6 mountain goats came sauntering right through our site.

This is a GORGEOUS park.

Oh - no cell service, water, electric

Site#5

Month of VisitSeptember

Gabby G.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 27, 2021

Boulders

This campground was amazing, getting to camp around huge boulders is really cool, had an amazing time, bathrooms kinda smell maybe because it was really hot

Month of VisitMay

(11) View All

Kailey S.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 28, 2021

Amazing!

I somehow snagged a spot at around 10pm on a Friday night (manifested the heck out of that). Woke up in the morning to one of the most beautiful campsites I’ve stayed at during my travels! Perfectly spaced out and conveniently located in the park, I strongly recommend Hidden Valley.

Month of VisitJuly

Sheridan L.

Guide

Reviewed May. 17, 2021

Highlight of JT

Loved our site!

First come first serve, affordable, therefor busy. No reception. We had half the sites to pick from on a Thursday afternoon and my Friday night the campground was full.

Our site had a great shady spot for the tent and we could walk back into what felt like a shaded grove on the rocks. Great climbing here and mostly climbing caravans I felt like. We had a lot of people ask for our site so we had to stand our ground when they tried to rush us out, but ended up giving it to a nice family who was willing to mark the site then come back.

Remember to bring more water then you think you need, and that the noise echos off rocks so respect quiet hours!

Site14

Month of VisitOctober

(6) View All

Fatima V.

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 22, 2021

Amazing campground

The campground is first come first serve. It costs $15 a day, the restrooms were very clean, but no access to water. Great place to rock climb, and see the stars.

Sitesite 39

Month of VisitMay

Christopher

Scout

Reviewed Apr. 13, 2021

Come Early, be bold.

I arrived at the campsite at 11 am on a Friday. All the sites were filled and I had not been to this site before. I lost hope fast but I drove around a few times and my co-adventurer had the bright idea to actually ask people if they are leaving. (This was clutch). If you plan on finding a first come first serve sight at J tree. Make sure you are willing to approach campers or have someone that will. Because if you don't you will not find a sigh unless it is already vacant which is rare.

One thing that I noticed about this campground is how intimate it is. On many of the blocks of sites, there are no natural barriers between sites. So if privacy is what you are seeking this may not be the best choice. This can also cause some tension between campers that feel you have set up on "their site" even when there are no clear barriers.

More on the intimacy. If you don't know J tree is coveted by rock climbers and people that boulder. Site 29 and 30 are right on the path to get to routes or have a bouldering section right on them. It was a little funny to have people walking right through my camp but I quickly realized it was normal for the reasons above. Something to think about.

Quiet hours are QUIET. I have a feeling this was the case because most of the other campers were climbing most of the day and probably knocked out early to get good rest. Whatever the reason it was strange having the camp completely silent before and continuing after 10 pm even on a Weekend!

If you get a site here you are going to love it. The setting is jaw-dropping and makes every moment dreamy. Except when you have to pack up and leave. Hope this helps!

Site29

Month of VisitMay

Alma L.

Ranger

Reviewed Mar. 21, 2021

Parked 18 ft trailer

We had spot 18 and fit in our trailer! It’s flat too so no leveling was required unlike most of the sites here. No water or RV hookups. Saw a coyote though.

Katie M.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 20, 2020

New Fave Place!

Hidden Valley is pretty much the only first come, first serve campground within Joshua Tree National Park. All of the other reservable grounds fill up months ahead of time, making finding a space at Hidden Valley pretty cut throat. I did not find a space my first night and had to get a hotel.

There are a lot of people that come here to rock climb and they tend to set up camp for days at a time, making finding a spot even harder. This is definitely NOT a “one and done” camping place like I’ve seen at most other national parks. Campers hoping to snag a site at Hidden Valley will need to begin making rounds by at least 8 am.

I believe I had campsite 16. The actual camping area was set pretty far back from where the parking space was, which as a solo traveler made hauling my things from my car a bit of a challenge, but having the additional privacy was nice. Speaking of privacy, because of all of the rock climbing, there are generally people that could be looking down at your campsite at any given moment.

I was there in early November and the nights were brutally cold, so stock up on fire wood in town. Water is available at the west entrance gate or at the visitor centers.

Joshua Tree is probably my new favorite national park, so I hope you’re able to find a space!!

Timothy A.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 17, 2020

Joshua Tree

Nice place to stay in the park. Only complaint would be that it is first come first serve,which I don’t mind, but they don’t put signs up saying when it is “Full” so you have constant traffic and dust being kicked up from people looking for sites. Fantastic scenery

Paul N.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 30, 2020

Always crowded.

The best first come first serve campground in the park but good luck getting a spot on a weekend. Getting a campsite here is never guaranteed but always worth it. Other than the occasional inconsiderate groups that will jam pack a campsite with cars and tents, this place is epic. “DO NOT ALWAYS BELIEVE “CAMPGROUND FULL” SIGNS! Be sure to check as the rangers have not been updating the signs at all.

Kristen

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 6, 2020

Camp in rocks

Almost every campsite has places to hide away and tuck a tent into a private rocky area. Quiet, well kept, great for stargazing.

Joy C.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 24, 2020

Great campground amongst beautiful boulders

The campgrounds are clean and well maintained. The campgrounds have 44 sites which are first-come, first serve and offer pit toilets but no water. The campsites are only $15/night and allow a maximum of six people, three tents and two cars (some sites only have room for one vehicle).

Jessica N.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 19, 2020

Nice camping

Joshua tree is amazing I highly suggest camping here, wish I could’ve stayed longer. Great hikes all over

(5) View All

Adam C.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 1, 2020

Great sites

Beautiful campsite. A decent drive in from the 10 but it's nice and relaxing. Once you get to the site it's an hourglass shapped drive around. We got the second to last site and it's cool spot. Hugs up on the rocks. Great views of the valley from this campground. If you can find a spot to climb up on the center rocks the sunset is perfect there. Highly recommend this sire

Shavit L.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 17, 2019

Beautiful camp

Don’t believe the rangers if they say it’s full or if the full sign is up - it’s often not accurate or updated daily.

This campground was my favorite in JT - the sites are well spaced offering privacy and quite.

Regular NPS campground, pit toilets abound, table and fire ring per site. The usual.

Location is great and close by to al the main attraction!

Justin B.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 26, 2019

Joshua Tree Easy

Probably the easiest campground to get to in Joshua Tree. It has some really cool sites but most seem to be stacked on top of each other for Joshua Tree. It's close to some really cool hikes like the dam, the mill and the mine. I love Joshua Tree and all it has to offer but this isn't my top choice to stay in Joshua Tree.

Month of VisitSeptember

(38) View All

Ted S.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 25, 2019

Great time in the off season

Me and the ol lady spent the night there this week in late July. Saw a beautiful thunder storm roll threw a few miles from us. Amazing sunset, we climbed up the rocks to get a good view and it was breathtaking. Not very crowded and close to bakers dam hike. Good hike, cool petroglyphs and a really mellow walk. Saw a bunch of critters and an owl flew right by our campfire.

Jill E.

Guide

Reviewed May. 15, 2019

Great for star gazing

My daughter and I came here for a meteor show, amazing!!! The hiking was good, it is very hot bring plenty of water!!!

(9) View All

Ric S.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 1, 2019

Way beautiful & Way Crowded

The most popular campground in the park means people constantly walking though your campsite and random people taking your limited parking spots. This place needs a Host.

(7) View All

Sara S.

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 3, 2018

Joshua Tree

Great campground near some amazing climbing and hikes. Beautiful sunset views and spots are very specious but fill up by early afternoon. No big rigs! Very noisy and crowded and bathrooms and garbages get overrun quickly.

Jill F.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2018

Basecamp

Great basecamp for hiking and climbing. The sky at night is breathtaking - so many stars!! Kids can have fun climbing on nearby boulders. Pit toilets and no water. Be sure to bring plenty of water!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Hidden Valley Campground — Joshua Tree National Park?

Camping at Hidden Valley Campground — Joshua Tree National Park can starts at $15.00.

Are fires allowed at Hidden Valley Campground — Joshua Tree National Park?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Hidden Valley Campground — Joshua Tree National Park, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Hidden Valley Campground — Joshua Tree National Park have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Hidden Valley Campground — Joshua Tree National Park does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Hidden Valley Campground — Joshua Tree National Park?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is unknown.