Best Equestrian Camping near Joshua Tree National Park

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Joshua Tree National Park

109 Reviews of 9 Joshua Tree National Park Campgrounds

• A

  Alex R.

  Traveler

  Jun. 6, 2017

  Ryan Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

  No Where Else...

  Joshua Tree National Park is a world of it's own. Ryan was a beautiful site with great rock formations all around.

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  Jeremiah F.

  Guide

  Nov. 30, 2020

  Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

  Acceptable campground on the edge of Joshua Tree...

  While 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.

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• 

  Andy H.

  Ranger

  Jun. 30, 2019

  Pioneertown Corrals

  Cool experience, sites not ideal for tent camping

  This 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.

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• 

  Elena S.

  Guide

  Jul. 22, 2018

  Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

  Close to Joshua Tree

  Stayed 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.

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  MarinMaverick

  Legend

  Sep. 29, 2020

  Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

  Black Rock Campground - Joshua Tree - Place to Start Your Trek

  This 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.

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• 

  Jonathan G.

  Ranger

  Oct. 25, 2020

  Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

  Great option for J Tree

  Although 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.

• J

  Judith W.

  Guide

  Mar. 3, 2025

  Black Rock Equestrian Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

  Large Horse Camp, great trails

  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. 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.

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  Sierra T.

  Legend

  Mar. 16, 2025

  Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

  Great access to Joshua Tree National Park

  Originally 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!

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• 

  Ryan W.

  Legend

  Feb. 6, 2025

  Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

  Access to both the community and park of Joshua Tree.

  This 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:

  • There is a small gift store in the DOI building that is accompanied by an excellent little art gallery. The featured artist was Diane Best. It was clearly inspired by the park. The ranger and host at the store were very helpful with information about the surrounding area.
  • Trails run right out of camp...lots of them...of all different difficulty levels. Something for everyone, and each of the trails we hiked, or came across were very well signed, which in the desert is appreciated.
  • Big oversized sites. Big oversized tables.
  • Ash dumping stations with shovels and buckets.
  • The campground is on the outside border of the park. Meaning you don't have to go wait in line at the entrance to access it in and out, and it is much easier to get into Yucca Valley or Joshua Tree if you're both camping and want to visit a restaurant or shop. Very convenient location.
  • 5g cell service at camp...if you're into that sort of thing.
  • Separate parking for hiking trailheads keeps the park traffic down.
  • Potable water around the park.
  • Bathrooms with flush toilets (no showers).

  Not so good notes: 

  • The sites are close to each other. If it were a full camp, it would be a lot less peaceful.
  • The park roads are rough...like falling apart rough. Not an issue for most unless you were in a small or low vehicle.
  • The camp host was not seen during our visit, and the bathrooms were not cleaned well. We arrived on a Monday. They weren't overly dirty but were not serviced during our stay.
  • Some sites have nice new campfire rings. Ours had a very old, barely above ground one. I dug it out to feel a little safer having a nice fire.

  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.

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