Camping spots near La Quinta, California range from sea level desert terrain to higher elevation mountain campgrounds with up to 5,000 feet of elevation change. Most dispersed camping areas lack water access, requiring campers to carry adequate supplies—plan for at least one gallon per person per day during cooler months and double that in summer. Cell service varies dramatically, with strong coverage in valley locations but minimal reception in canyons and mountain camping areas.
What to do
Desert hiking from basecamp: Lake Cahuilla offers convenient access to mountain hiking trails with the trailhead located near the entrance. "There's a bike trail around the lake and fishing. Playgrounds and other child friendly activities available upon request," notes a camper who found this location especially good "in the off season as it can be a bit noisy when it is crowded."
Rock scrambling at Joshua Tree: Jumbo Rocks Campground provides immediate access to unique boulder formations. "We spent our days scrambling across the rock formations—each turn revealing a new panorama," one visitor reports. The campground is "conveniently close to skull rock and discovery trail," making it easy to explore without moving your vehicle.
Off-road exploration: Painted Canyon offers rugged terrain for off-road enthusiasts with varying difficulty levels. "We found a nice one with a few well built fire rings right next to a trailhead," a camper shares. "The hikes and views are top notch." Roads become progressively more challenging the deeper you travel, with some requiring 4WD.
What campers like
Desert sunrises and sunsets: The open desert landscape creates spectacular daily shows. At Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed, campers note "Sunsets and sunrises are breathtaking." Another visitor confirms, "Beautiful weather. Sunsets and sunrises are breathtaking and you can see the Milky Way."
Natural hot springs pools: Catalina Spa and RV Resort features natural hot spring-fed pools. "The pools are fueled by the hot springs, so the pool is at about 90 degrees and the hot tub a bit hotter," explains one visitor. Another camper adds that "the spring leaves your skin oh so soft and rejuvenated."
Winter fishing opportunities: Lake Cahuilla maintains year-round fishing access. As one camper reports, "Lake views are wonderful though it would be nice to have the option of swimming!" The reservoir prohibits swimming but allows fishing with proper licensing.
What you should know
Wind protection strategy: Wind is a common challenge in the area, particularly in exposed locations. At Shadow Hills RV Resort, campers note "It can be extremely windy here." A camper at Catalina Spa points out the resort is "terribly windy most of the time," making awning management essential.
Seasonal crowds: Peak visitor times run October through April. A camper at Lake Cahuilla found it "wonderfully quiet, hardly anyone else here" during early May, while noting "if I'd visited in the busy season I think the closeness of the sites would have bothered me."
Varying site sizes: Many campgrounds have tight spacing between sites. At Jumbo Rocks Campground, campers warn "Campers beware that the sites are close together and have limited space for campers. We have a RTT with a fold out annex. There are boulders along the road side that do not allow you to pull into the sites."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation planning: For families seeking water activities, options are limited but available. Lake Cahuilla has "a pool in the summer and enough shade to stay as cool as the desert allows without A/C," according to visitors. One family noted, "Lake Cahuilla has a lot to offer, including a playground, lake for fishing only (no swimming), and a pool."
Adventure selection by age: Painted Canyon offers varying difficulty levels for families. "Love camping here! Absolutely beautiful! However the terrain is not very dog friendly sharp rocks cut our pups paws up and if you want to do the ladders or ropes... no way," reports one visitor, suggesting evaluating trail difficulty for younger children.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Mountain areas provide wildlife viewing chances. Lake Cahuilla allows for "walk around the lake, big horn sheep viewing," which can be particularly exciting for children during morning and evening hours.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Larger RVs face challenges in many area campgrounds. At Jumbo Rocks, "We have a 29ft trailer with truck got in and out ok much bigger you would have a problem many tight spaces." Sites at Thousand Trails Palm Springs can also be difficult to navigate, as "Parking big rig between the palm trees can be a challenge."
Hookup preparation: Water and electrical considerations require advance planning. "Bring insulation for your water hose or have some type of method that will keep your water lines from freezing. Our water hose froze the first night," warns a winter visitor to Lake Hemet Campground.
Noise considerations: Train tracks and highways affect several camping areas. At Emerald Desert RV Resort, "Interstate 10 and a set of major East-West train tracks lie right behind the resort," with visitors noting, "The road noise is loud and never stops. There is also a freight train that frequently runs along behind the park, and it's very loud."
