Best Campgrounds near Landers, CA

The high desert landscape surrounding Landers, California provides a gateway to diverse camping experiences, with Joshua Tree National Park's distinctive boulder formations and desert ecosystems just minutes away. Black Rock Campground sits at the northwestern edge of the park, offering developed sites with drinking water and flush toilets, while still maintaining the rugged desert character. Several BLM dispersed camping areas like Joshua Tree North BLM provide free primitive camping on public lands north of the park boundaries. Established campgrounds within Joshua Tree National Park, including Jumbo Rocks, Indian Cove, and Ryan, feature sites nestled among massive granite boulders and iconic Joshua trees, with varying levels of amenities and accessibility.

Desert camping conditions require careful planning, particularly regarding water and weather protection. Most Joshua Tree campgrounds lack water sources, requiring campers to bring all necessary supplies. As one visitor to Jumbo Rocks noted, "Bathrooms but no water access and the main entrance is about 45 minute drive, so come prepared." High winds frequently sweep across the open desert landscape, with campers reporting that strategic site selection can provide natural windbreaks. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F during daylight hours while dropping significantly at night, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Cell service varies dramatically between campgrounds, with Black Rock offering reliable coverage while interior park locations remain largely disconnected.

The distinctive boulder formations throughout the area create unique camping experiences, particularly at Indian Cove and Jumbo Rocks. According to one camper, "Sites are nestled between rocks so privacy can be found, although sites are close to each other." Rock climbing and bouldering opportunities exist directly adjacent to many campsites, with trails often leading from campgrounds to popular climbing areas. Stargazing ranks among the most frequently mentioned highlights in visitor reviews, with the area's dark skies providing exceptional viewing conditions. Proximity to supplies varies significantly between campgrounds, with Black Rock offering convenient access to Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree towns, while interior park campgrounds require more self-sufficiency. Campground roads vary in quality, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain events.

Best Camping Sites Near Landers, California (286)

    1. Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    48 Reviews
    Yucca Valley, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 367-5554

    $35 / night

    "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"

    "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."

    2. Indian Cove Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    62 Reviews
    Twentynine Palms, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 367-5554

    $55 / night

    "Cons: no park entrance from here. You have to drive 20/30 minutes out to the main road and back in to get to the main area of the park. The campsite next to us had some nasty anthills."

    "Indian Cove is on the Northern side of the park, and you will use a different entrance than the main park entrance."

    3. Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground

    27 Reviews
    Landers, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 366-1213

    $15 - $55 / night

    "A great spot away from the main Joshua Tree strip. We visited for one night during the waning height of COVID and staff was taking all the necessary precautions."

    "Away from highway noise a place to recharge."

    4. Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping

    34 Reviews
    Twentynine Palms, CA
    12 miles
    Website

    "Free camping just outside Joshua Tree. No amenities or designated campsites. Large open area where you can camp wherever you'd like."

    "As others have noted, this a giant dry lake bed. There is tons of space, plenty of room to spread out and not be near other campers, which there are many on the weekends."

    5. Jumbo Rocks Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    118 Reviews
    Twentynine Palms, CA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 367-5554

    $30 / night

    "They're situated between HUGE boulders so they're nicely tucked away from high winds that can sometimes pick up."

    "The campsites are tucked between massive granite boulders, offering natural windbreaks and a sense of privacy that’s hard to find elsewhere."

    6. Joshua Tree North BLM

    19 Reviews
    Twentynine Palms, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 252-6000

    "My favorite place to camp near Joshua Tree. Lots of space."

    "We set up fairly close to the paved road by the solar panels. Land was flat, plenty of room for ourselves and quiet."

    7. Hidden Valley Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    39 Reviews
    Twentynine Palms, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 367-3001

    "The entire campgrounds are surrounded in a wall of boulders varying in shales and sizes. Tons of fun to scramble and boulder on. We wenf in July and the evening temps were fantastic."

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

    8. North Joshua Tree

    12 Reviews
    Twentynine Palms, CA
    12 miles

    "Nobody too rowdy, people left respectful distances between rigs, GREAT location for travel caravans.

    1. The most paved way in is to take Sunfair to Broadway."

    "If it has rained or snowed, stay off the actual dry lake bed. It can get deeply rutted, and if wet, you will sink several inches."

    9. Joshua Tree RV & Campground

    6 Reviews
    Yucca Valley, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 974-9132

    $25 - $60 / night

    "Located close to the town of Joshua Tree so you can still grab a bite to eat if you’re not up to cooking. Easy access to the west entry gate but this gate tends to get busy on holiday weekends."

    "Good price in comparison to nearby lots. Very close to restaurants and stores. We felt very safe there!"

    10. Giant Rock Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Landers, CA
    5 miles

    "Giant Rock is a popular location. There is plenty of space for individual or group camping. A steady flow of visitors stop by for pictures, but overall, it's quiet during the week."

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Recent Reviews near Landers, CA

1335 Reviews of 286 Landers Campgrounds


  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Twentynine Palms Resort

    Perfect for Vets and Golfers

    Awesome location. Joshua tree is very close. The MCCC base is about 3 miles away with exchange, commissary and golf course. We had the base course to ourselves on a Sunday afternoon. The RV park is just fine. Must be seasonal spot. Pretty empty in September. We had a nice pull through. Laundry room is fine and uses an app I could not get to work. $2, 2.25 per load in washer and dryer. They gave credit card readers on the machines so that’s what I used. Pool is open to the sun. Maybe they put the roof on in the winter. Very comfortable and quiet. We arrived on a Saturday and the office person recommended the Dark Skies program at the observatory near by. But it was sold out for the next three months so if you are going to be here maybe you should plan ahead if you want to experience the observatory program. I would stay again.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    serrano camp grounds

    Great place

    I stayed for one night Wednesday just to try the showers. The showers were perfect! Hot water even! So clean and beautiful. Recommend!

  • B
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites

    Stunning but Safety Concerns

    I’ve camped at the Keller Peak yellow post sites more than two dozen times over the years and, at their best, they’re incredible. The scenery and isolation are superb—starry skies, quiet nights, and that deep-woods stillness that’s getting harder to find. For years this was my go-to spot. 

    Unfortunately, I’ve also watched trash and waste increase. Please, pack it out—these sites only stay special if we treat them with care. 

    My last trip was frightening enough that I haven’t returned. Late at night a group of locals came to the edge of my site, yelling and using threatening language. They assumed I was homeless despite my SUV and proper camping setup. I was using a portable propane fire pit—which is allowed—and I calmly explained that. I can understand why fire is an issue to locals.  I only felt safe because my small dog has a very loud bark, which kept them from coming closer. They said they were calling a ranger. I left the next morning, shaken. On my way out, I spoke with a park ranger who confirmed propane fire pits are permitted and told me they don’t patrol up there at night because of recurring issues like this. She also mentioned they were trying to move the site to a reservation system to deter homeless use; I’m not sure if that has happened yet. 

    It’s a shame, because this area is one of the best around. I’m sharing this so others can make an informed choice.  

    Pros - Spectacular views and true solitude Cool nights, dark skies, classic forest feel

    Cons -  Rising litter and human waste Nighttime safety concerns due to occasional rowdy visitors Limited ranger presence after dark

     I hope increased stewardship and enforcement can restore the magic here.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    East Flats

    Nice Peaceful Area

    Wasn’t hard to find a little rough but fairly easy to reach with our Sedan. Couldn’t find too much to do but if you’re looking for a weekend getaway to relax it’s a nice spot.

  • Nickchris G.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Horsemen's Center

    Horseman's center!

    Beautiful views of the entire city and never bothered by anyone, can do bonfires, and even camp right out my car.

  • DeWayne G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Giant Rock Dispersed

    Big Rock camping

    Came out to Big Rock for the meteor shower in August. Yes, it was hot, but I like the heat. We set up our two-day camp along the ridge about 300 yards past Big Rock. Verizon Cell service was non-existent at our site, but we would get 5G at the Rock.

    Other than some graffiti the area was clean and well-kept.

  • Julie
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Bogart County Park

    Bogart Regional park

    It was okay for a last minute camping idea.

  • Julie
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Bogart County Park

    Yucaipa Regional park

    Great customer service, easy access, restrooms, fishing, swimming and paddle boats.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Sheephole Valley Wilderness

    Shooting stars

    Is August and we wanted to see the Perseid meteor shower. I know, desert, summer, super hot. It was 100° when we got to our area. By 10 pm it was in the 80’s. I don’t think it got to the 70’s.


Guide to Landers

Joshua Tree National Park sits at elevations from 2,000 to 5,800 feet, creating diverse microclimates across the Landers area camping landscape. Winter nights regularly drop below freezing while daytime temperatures remain moderate, making it an ideal destination for cooler-season camping. Cell reception varies dramatically between campgrounds, with some offering reliable connections while others remain completely off-grid.

What to do

Rock climbing access: Jumbo Rocks Campground provides direct access to climbing areas throughout the boulder formations. "Sites are nestled between rocks so privacy can be found, although sites are close to each other," reports one camper, who also notes the dramatic rock formations surrounding each site.

Astronomical observation: The high desert setting offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "This is the most beautiful place to watch sunrise and sunset and stars. So peaceful," notes a visitor to Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground, which provides a more developed base camp option with full hookups.

Hiking trails: Multiple established trail networks connect directly to several campgrounds. "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," explains a camper at Black Rock Campground.

Photography opportunities: Giant Rock Dispersed camping area presents unique geological features for photographers. "Giant Rock is a popular location. There is plenty of space for individual or group camping. A steady flow of visitors stop by for pictures, but overall, it's quiet during the week," one camper reports.

What campers like

Natural windbreaks: The distinctive rock formations throughout the area provide protection from high winds. At Indian Cove Campground, a camper notes: "The sites are tucked into the rocks which block wind and kept us nice and warm at night. Bats flew just overhead for a couple hours and I thought it was magical!"

Wildlife viewing: Beyond the Joshua trees, the area supports diverse wildlife. "Quails running around everywhere, cool little spot at JTree, a little different than Jumbo and the other climber sites," mentions one visitor about the bird population at Black Rock Campground.

Flat terrain: For ease of setup, many dispersed camping areas offer level ground. At North Joshua Tree dispersed camping area, one camper reports: "The space is huge and flat. It's just plain land so there aren't any places for you to dump anything or get water and no stores around. The view is great and it was peaceful out here."

Campground amenities: For campers seeking more comforts, Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground offers expanded facilities. "Clean bathrooms and a nice common area with seats and laundry. Good price in comparison to nearby lots. Very close to restaurants and stores. We felt very safe there!"

What you should know

Seasonal conditions: While the area is accessible year-round, weather varies dramatically. "We visited in January, and should have been better prepared! I know better, but we didn't check the conditions well enough, and froze our butts the first night!" reports a visitor to Hidden Valley Campground.

Water planning: Most campgrounds lack water sources. "Planning for water is needed, there is only a pit toilet," notes one Jumbo Rocks camper. Another mentions: "Full hookups great experience overall" at Joshua Tree RV Campground, highlighting the importance of hookups in this desert environment.

Reservation challenges: First-come, first-served campgrounds fill quickly. "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," says one Hidden Valley visitor who adds: "DO NOT ALWAYS BELIEVE 'CAMPGROUND FULL' SIGNS! Be sure to check as the rangers have not been updating the signs at all."

Terrain hazards: Be aware of specific conditions at dispersed sites. A camper at Joshua Tree North BLM warns: "Great if your idea of camping is listening to the relaxing sound of ATV's, dirt bikes, and razors zipping across the dry lake bed all day and night. Fireworks are part of the experience and cast an eerie glow across the otherwise pristine night sky."

Tips for camping with families

Quieter campgrounds: Some campgrounds offer more family-friendly environments. "Sites are good, bathrooms are always cleaned. Close to amenities if you need it (we travel with small children so that's a plus) compared to the more remote stays inside the national park," explains a parent who stayed at Black Rock Campground.

Educational opportunities: Wildlife encounters provide learning experiences. "Quails running around everywhere" at Black Rock Campground offers opportunities for wildlife spotting with children.

Accessibility concerns: Giant Rock Dispersed camping area provides more space between sites. "There is plenty of space for individual or group camping," notes one visitor, adding that weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends when planning family trips.

Weather preparation: Desert temperature swings affect children differently. "When we first arrived on Saturday around noon, it was definitely hot, and definitely windy. We'd come prepared for the ground to be hard and bought new MSR Ground Hog stakes and a stake mallet," reports a family at Indian Cove, highlighting the need for proper equipment.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Choose campgrounds based on rig size. "We have a 29ft trailer with truck got in and out ok much bigger you would have a problem many tight spaces," warns an RVer about Jumbo Rocks Campground.

Hookup availability: Plan for self-containment or select sites with services. "We stayed three nights and used the 29 Palms Marine Corp base to dump our tanks as we are military. There isn't a dump station at this campground and you can only fill up with water at the small ranger entrance building," advises an RVer at Indian Cove.

Access roads: Road conditions vary significantly between campgrounds. "Careful of deep ruts in the dirt road, but plenty of room to avoid bad spots," notes an RVer at North Joshua Tree, while another mentions that "the unpaved road was a bit bumpy however our kids enjoyed the 'roller coaster'" at Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping.

Weather considerations: Desert conditions create specific RV challenges. "Spent a night here on the way to Joshua tree. It's close to the park would be a good alternative to staying in the park. Wide open and flat (like a dry lake bed). I found it to be very windy and lots of dust storms, could have used some goggles. Spent all my time in the van."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Landers, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Landers, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 286 campgrounds and RV parks near Landers, CA and 35 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Landers, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Landers, CA is Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park with a 4.2-star rating from 48 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Landers, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 35 free dispersed camping spots near Landers, CA.

What parks are near Landers, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Landers, CA that allow camping, notably San Bernardino National Forest and Joshua Tree National Park.