Primitive camping near Morongo Valley, California offers campers access to stark desert terrain with elevations ranging from 2,500 to over 11,000 feet across various sites. Soil conditions vary dramatically from compacted lakebeds that support vehicles to sandy areas that can cause vehicles to become stuck. Temperatures fluctuate widely throughout the year, with summer highs often exceeding 100°F and winter nights dropping below freezing at higher elevations.
What to do
Explore nearby dunes: A short drive from Joshua Tree North BLM, unexpected sand dunes provide a change of desert landscape. "I was surprised to come across beautiful sand dunes in the area, great hiking, great sunset, perfect spot," notes a visitor to BLM Dispersed Camping at Joshua Tree.
Summit San Gorgonio Mountain: For experienced hikers seeking elevation, the tallest peak in Southern California offers primitive camping. "It is a long hike mostly due to the altitude. The last few miles seem like they take forever. We ended up getting to the peak camp around 10pm," reports a camper at San Gorgonio Summit Camp.
Visit Giant Rock: This massive boulder northwest of Morongo Valley attracts both day visitors and overnight campers. "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," explains a camper at Giant Rock Dispersed.
What campers like
Star visibility: The expansive night sky provides exceptional viewing conditions. "The stars are great and this is an easy spot to set up if you aren't spending a ton of time here and really just need a spot for camp while you explore the park," mentions a visitor at Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping.
Open space: Campers appreciate the ability to find isolation despite popularity. "We drove past a few campers. A few with big RV's. Closest camper is about 30 yards away. Could barely hear their generator running," notes a visitor at East Flats.
Morning views: Sunrise experiences from higher elevations rank among top experiences. "We were lucky enough to have a beautiful, clear, not-windy night and morning. Just out of my tent I could see the sun rising. We made our way completely out of the tent to just sit in silence and enjoy the breath taking sunrise!" shares a camper at San Gorgonio Summit Camp.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access routes vary dramatically in quality. "Careful of deep ruts in the dirt road, but plenty of room to avoid bad spots," explains a camper at Joshua Tree North BLM.
Noise factors: Off-road vehicles, target shooting, and other activities affect different areas. "If you are disturbed by semi/automatic rifles being shot off, this might deter you from here. We think it's from the other side of the hills due north of Cascade. We stayed Saturday to Sunday (8days) & on the weekend it seemed endless," warns a visitor at North Joshua Tree.
Trash issues: Unfortunately, some sites suffer from litter problems. "We do a yearly camping trip out here with friends. The area we go to is hot and usually filled with garbage so we have to clean it up first before we set up camp," notes a visitor to Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping.
Tips for camping with families
Choose locations carefully: Some areas experience disruptive activity. "During COVID, many campgrounds are shut down making social distance travel challenging. This campsite is great for a short weekend trip. We went to this site when it's pitch dark. The unpaved road was a bit bumpy however our kids enjoyed the 'roller coaster,'" shares a visitor at Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping.
Consider Yellow Post sites: These designated primitive sites provide more structure. "Multiple free camping spots from the Y up to Fish Creek all the way to Coon Creek Cabin. 1st spots on the left are big rig friendly, you do have about a mile of dirt road before you get to them," suggests a visitor at Coon Creek Yellow Post.
Pack for temperature swings: Desert temperature fluctuations can be extreme, especially at higher elevations. "It was noticeably cooler here than in the park—each morning I woke up, my car was saying it was at least 10 degrees cooler, 20 one morning. I ended up getting out of there first thing and cooking breakfast in the park to be a little warmer," reports a camper at Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping.
Tips from RVers
Scout first: Large rigs require advance planning. "This is a wide open area. You can camp wherever you like. The best way to access is off hwy 62 to Sunfair. Turn right on Broadway and continue past the end of the pavement. If it has rained or snowed, stay off the actual dry lake bed," advises a camper at North Joshua Tree.
Know your options: Some sites accommodate different size vehicles. "Great spot right off of Jenks Lake Road East that allows dispersed camping. There are a lot of spaces and larger rigs will do just fine within the first 1/4 mile, roads are a bit rough with rock and drainage ditches but our 40' trailer had zero issues," explains a visitor at East Flats.
Avoid sand traps: Soft soil can immobilize heavy vehicles. "BE CAREFUL!! Don't drive into areas with any kind of grasses growing or even dead, this is a good indicator you've gotten to the sandier soil which is NOT your friend and WILL sink you with only 2WD," warns a North Joshua Tree visitor.
