The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Joshua Tree National Park. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Joshua Tree National Park is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Joshua Tree National Park and user-submitted reviews.
Twentynine Palms
39 min away
Painted Canyon
2 hrs 18 min away
$30 / night
"Joshua Tree National Park is a world of it's own. Ryan was a beautiful site with great rock formations all around."
"This camp site was tucked in the back, 12 miles from Joshua Tree park entrance. This site was on the side of the rocks that provided shade for more than 12 hours in the day."
"Love the rock formations within the campground and proximity to hiking from the campground. Pit toilets, garbage and recycling available. Fire pits, bbq’s and picnic tables at every site."
"Amazing rocks, night skies, and climbing to do all around."
$35 / night
"Short drive to the park and easy to get to the main grocery stores. The sites are not very shady and there is not too much privacy but overall it's a nice place and the bathrooms are very clean."
"This campground is a little outside the main Joshua Tree area. It used to be the only campground you could reserve ahead. "
"Equestrian sites are partial hookup and are $35. There is a dump station on site for all campers to use."
"Lake Cahuilla has a lot to offer, including a playground, lake for fishing only (no swimming), and a pool that was closed while we were there, and somewhat spacious sites."
$25 - $35 / night
"Cascade Trails is a unique experience created by impassioned owners who are personally committed to saving the wild mustangs. Check them out and leave a review."
$30 - $213 / night
$35 / night
"Huge open horse camp with 10 corrals, picnic tables, bbqs and fire rings, pick your spot anywhere you like. Almost all sloped but not awful. Lot gets regularly graded."
$60 - $75 / night
"Next to one of best small music venues. We stayed here for a concert and walked to and from the show avoiding the traffic in and out. Friendly host."
$15 / night
"Good campsite, has the coolest hike trails, and the nights are really beautiful. It was so much fun and I would definitely come back Id just need more blankets because the nights are beyond cold."
TravelerJoshua Tree National Park is a world of it's own. Ryan was a beautiful site with great rock formations all around.
GuideWhile technically in Joshua Tree National Park, this campground sits on the Northwest edge of J.T., requires no park entrance fee, and does not connect with the main road through the park. It's a fine campground for those who can't get a site at one of the other campgrounds, or those who don't want to make the long, slow drive into the park. If you want to actually visit Joshua Tree, I'd find a different campground further into the park.
PROS: Easy access, Lots of sites with nice views overlooking the town, Several hiking trails starting at the edge of campground, separate campground for people with horses.
CONS: No shade, lot of the sites are uneven and hard-packed ground (You can't get spikes in deep enough at some sites, I wouldn't trust my tent being secure in high winds), Not really "in" the park, long drive to park entrance, you don't get that isolated feeling, campsites feel a bit too close to each other.
Each site has a fire pit and a concrete picnic table. Size of campsites seem to vary greatly. Facilities are clean, with flush toilets/urinals.
After being unable to get a site at our preferred campground in Joshua Tree we grabbed two spots at Black Rock Campground. While not bad, it wasn't that normal Joshua Tree feel, the lights from the nearby town wash out some of the night sky, and the camp just felt packed, even when it was at ~60% capacity.
RangerThis is a really fun place to stay and has a bunch of awesome amenities. Right behind the campground is the Pioneertown Main Street, featuring replica buildings from the old west. They have stores, gun fights, and a restaurant nearby. The campground itself has a communal fire pit and bbq area that all campers can use. Each site has a table and fire pit. The layout of the sites is a little cramped and there is no privacy. It is designed mostly for equestrian camping and has horse stalls you can rent along with your site. The restaurant (Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace) is somewhat of a local icon, and has amazing food and is known for their live music.
GuideStayed here one night when the park was full. Short drive to the park and easy to get to the main grocery stores. The sites are not very shady and there is not too much privacy but overall it's a nice place and the bathrooms are very clean. It also has an equestrian campground attached.
LegendThis campground is a little outside the main Joshua Tree area. It used to be the only campground you could reserve ahead. So we usually spend the first night here and then head into the main park in the morning. It has full facilites and water on sight. It has a small visitor center/ranger station as well.
You drive through a residential area and then you are at the campground. You are on a knoll or incline so you are looking down over the valley. There is horse site as well but I do not know the details of that.
We are tent campers. There are good tent sites as well RV sites. A great place to watch the star, the sunset and the sunrise. Trail right fromt= the campground up to a hill/mountain behind the campground.
Be prepared. We have been snowed on here and wind whipped. Always go in February.
Sites have tables, fire rings and water. Modern bathrooms.
You are surrounded by Joshua Trees and if you catch them in the right time they are blooming.
RangerAlthough it's technically in the park, you'll need to drive over to one of the main entrances for park access. Still, this is a great option. The horse stalls are on the north end of the camp, and there are a few loops. It's desert camping so bring your own shade and lots of water. The weather was great in October, and there is a short trail on the west end of camp (plus lots of other in the area to explore).
We had an RV so I can't speak to the bathrooms.
GuideHuge open horse camp with 10 corrals, picnic tables, bbqs and fire rings, pick your spot anywhere you like. Almost all sloped but not awful. Lot gets regularly graded. Central water location so you do have to schlepp your water to the corrals. Trails are amazing. There is even an overland trail from here to the south end of Joshua Tree NP which is around 35 miles long.
LegendOriginally booked this site because it is a good endpoint for the California Riding & Hiking trail though the national park, so if you’re looking to run or complete the traverse, it is a good spot to campout and/or leave a car. There are also great hiking trails right next to the campground. The campground is also super close to the towns of Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree for picking up supplies, enjoying the local Luna bakery (we went 3 times in 2 days!)
Only downside was sites felt really close together (particularly site 56, although some looked better), so noise levels were a little rough.
We were able to score this site on a Saturday night during the spring break season using Dyrt Alerts!
LegendThis is a great example of a park that should get the 1/2 star. If an option, I'd give it 4.5 stars, and nick it only because of the minimal bathroom maintenance done after a weekend. I'd note, I think that is more due to staffing than care.
The campground was lightly populated during our February visit, which was a bit surprising considering the other JTree camps inside the park were full. I chose our site online only knowing that it was on the outer ring of sites. It turned out to be a huge site with great views of the CA hiking and riding trail (out the back of the site).
Other pros:
Not so good notes:
This has nothing to do with campground operations, but remember this is the high desert! There is wind—gusty wind. There is sun. Nights get cold. Be aware of the weather and the surroundings.
We had a lovely campfire on night one. The second night was windier at about 15mph with gusts and we chose not to light one, but there wasn't a red flag warning or restriction. Another site nearby (upwind) had a big campfire and were definitely not safe about it. It was a bit nerve-wracking being down the hill from them.
In the morning, asked the park ranger what would cause them to institute a warning, and he said the call wasn't made by the rangers on-site, but rather someone in admin elsewhere. That was surprising, and he commented that it is a challenge they've been working to change because all the rangers were up all night waiting for the call that a fire had started. I relay that to say, that when starting a fire please use common sense and caution. That completes my after school special.
I would definitely recommend this campground if you're looking for access to hiking, Joshua Tree NP but away from the core tourist areas, and also wanting to dip into town. It is conveniently located with lovely scenery.
Horse camping near Joshua Tree National Park offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning desert landscape while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With several well-reviewed campgrounds in the area, equestrian enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to set up camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Joshua Tree National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Joshua Tree National Park is Ryan Campground — Joshua Tree National Park with a 4.6-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Joshua Tree National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Joshua Tree National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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