11 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Black Rock Campground in Joshua Tree National Park permits pets in designated areas with standard National Park leash requirements. Dogs must remain on 6-foot leashes throughout the campground and are prohibited on hiking trails, though they can enjoy campsite areas. The campground features pet waste stations and drinking water access for both humans and animals. Joshua Tree North BLM and Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping offer less restricted alternatives, allowing pets in more areas without trail limitations. Accommodations range from tent sites to RV spots with full hookups at nearby Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground, where pets are welcome at all site types. Many campsites include picnic tables and fire rings, with flat areas for setting up tents with dogs. The campground gets packed during peak seasons, requiring advance reservations for pet owners planning overnight stays.
Pioneertown Corrals provides a unique option for pet owners seeking dog-friendly camping within walking distance of local attractions. The $10 camping fee (now increased to $60 according to recent visitors) grants access to a gravel lot with basic amenities including running water and bathroom facilities. Dogs are permitted throughout the property, which sits adjacent to Pioneertown's Old West-themed Main Street and Pappy & Harriet's restaurant. While camping at Pioneertown Corrals lacks privacy and ideal tent camping terrain, its convenience for pet owners attending concerts or exploring Joshua Tree National Park compensates for the basic facilities. Several nearby dispersed camping options on BLM land provide free alternatives with fewer restrictions for camping with dogs, though these sites lack facilities like toilets or trash service. Weather conditions can change dramatically, with campers reporting intense wind at exposed sites and temperature drops at night requiring proper preparation for pets.
"You're not allowed to use ANY surrounding vegetation for campfires (even kindling) so be prepared to cart in your own wood and kindling."
"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"
Available next weekend
from $35 / night
"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!"
"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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $55 / night
"There is a tiny "lake" with reeds and visiting birds who congregate around the water. Fishing offered, but no swimming. I spent a very serene time with just myself and my cat."
"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."
from $15 - $55 / night
"They're situated between HUGE boulders so they're nicely tucked away from high winds that can sometimes pick up."
"It is roughly in between the northern and western entrances of the park, which means that it's essentially on the eastern edge of most of the rock climbing areas."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"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."
"Great dog park, family friendly and the hot springs was just perfect for all of us. Even have 3 temperatures so the kids can enjoy hot springs too! Thanks for a wonderful stay!"
"Not a sprig of grass which makes it difficult to get dogs to pee and it tracks in SO BAD!"
"The first thing to mention is the location. The back of the campground faces west where the rolling mountains seem to part in a way that showcases the beautiful California sunset."
"second reason; there are many many sites to choose from. this camp ground has several loops that each contain roughly 20 campsites, sometimes more. on any given day you should be able to drive up, though"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $29 - $58 / night
"This gem is located on the outskirts of Desert Hot Springs, CA. With two hot spring-fed pools and hot tubs (one of which is massive and SO luxe), we didn’t want to leave. Like, ever."
"Spa in the desert We wanted to escape the rain and cold and hit the jackpot with this location. I was concerned that the pools might be closed due to COVID but both pools were open."
from $22 - $44 / night
"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."
"Comfortable partial hookup sites, pet friendly, and nice people. Theres a dog park next door. The bathrooms are clean, and the laundry facilities work well (although coin only, no cards)."
"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."
from $25 - $60 / night
ScoutIt was just us, so five stars. Good views, and flat parking area. Windy AF and trains all night. Most folks would give it two stars. But we love the desert and waking up to seeing Amboy Crater was very cool and it was free!
ScoutI discovered this campground in Joshua Tree when the campground I had grown used to staying at (Ryan) went reserved only. Belle is on a first come, first serve basis, so there's no reservations involved. Roughly east of the campground is a trail that leads to the next one down, White Tank, which is popular because of the natural arch that can be found a short distance from the campsites. Belle itself has 18 campsites which are mostly empty during the week. Weekends are busy though as campers are usually jockeying for a site starting on Thursday nights. All in all, a beautiful place that offers splendid views and clear, crisp nights. Campers beware as it can get very windy at times. Vault toilets and campfire rings, but no accessible water.
RangerReviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are looking for a true alpine backcountry adventure right in Southern California, backpacking into Round Valley Primitive Campsites inside the Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness is an incredible experience. By pairing the world-famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway with a weekend wilderness trek, you can leave the scorching low desert and step into sub-alpine granite peaks within minutes. Our crew recently packed our gear, caught the tram, and set up basecamp at the Gooseberry site for a Friday-to-Saturday summit push of Mount San Jacinto.
The scenery and wilderness delivered on every level—but the trip also served as a stark reminder that high-altitude nature commands respect.
The Route & Camp Setup (Gooseberry Site)
Taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway bypasses thousands of vertical feet of grueling desert switchbacks, depositing you at Mountain Station:
The October Shoulder Season: Nature Changes in Minutes
We chose to hike late in the season during October, and anyone heading up during shoulder months needs to understand high-elevation weather:
A Serious Backcountry Advisory: 50 Years on the Trail Speaks
As someone with over 50 years of hiking and backpacking experience spanning every corner of the American West, what we witnessed on the trail between Round Valley and the peak was alarming.
We encountered dozens of hikers completely unprepared for foul weather:
The Hitched4fun Verdict
Mount San Jacinto Wilderness and Round Valley’s Gooseberry site delivered everything an outdoor enthusiast could want: pristine trails, incredible pine-scented air, and raw wilderness beauty. Just never forget that nature can bite hard if you let your guard down. Pack your layers, bring your essentials, respect the mountain, and you will have an unforgettable journey.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars— Highly Recommended by the Hitched4fun.com crew!
ScoutExceptional camping experience. Beautiful, secluded, but not far from town. Would recommend a vehicle you feel comfortable with off roading terrain.
LegendThis was our first trip to Joshua Tree. We thoroughly enjoyed this first come first serve campground. The awesome walks into the park and desert landscape make this a place we will definitely return to. Beautiful night sky and stars . The Granite boulders are beautiful!
RangerThe first two spots are close together. First one a bit small but better cover from Santa Anna winds. Nicely in the forest and close to the village.
TravelerHad a nice stay here twice so far this year. Nice place. Quiet and clean.
GuideNice place, rustic, unpublicized, congenial host. It can accommodate a number of vans and RVs, but I was the only guest. There is water and nothing else that is stated in the blurb. A self-contained rig is recommended.
As I explored the premises, I imagined that a small traveling couple or group could enjoy the camp as a peaceful alternative to Joshua Tree or Desert Hot Springs. There is evidence that guests stayed there before, with ample communal space for a campfire experience possibly with libations.
The camp might not be a priority business for the host, thus a work-in-progress or attempted endeavor. It has potential to be a stellar and successful camp if kempt.
Security was my concern, being solo, so I locked down more than usual when I left during the day for a music festival. No issues. I stayed three nights. The location is four miles from Morongo Valley Covington Park and the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, a hiking attraction.
A bumpy dirt road to get to camp. Unsure if a large RV can traverse it. Call or text is the only way to book. The cellphone number is on Google Maps.
GuideThis is my go-to campground. I live in the San Diego area. It's designed for your season camper that prefers tranquility over business. It's not recommended during the weekend.
Desert terrain surrounds pet friendly camping near Pioneertown, California at elevations between 3,000-4,300 feet, creating dramatic daily temperature swings in all seasons. The high desert location means campers often encounter nighttime temperatures 30-40 degrees cooler than daytime highs, even in summer months. The area's unique geology features massive granite formations that provide natural windbreaks at many campsites.
Climb boulder formations: At Jumbo Rocks Campground, visitors can scramble across massive rock formations without leaving the campground. "We spent our days scrambling across the rock formations—each turn revealing a new panorama—and our nights marveling at the Milky Way in one of the best dark-sky locations in California," reports Jama A.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer opportunities to spot desert wildlife at several campgrounds. "Quails running around everywhere, cool little spot at JTree, a little different than Jumbo and the other climber sites," notes Michael K. about Black Rock Campground. Desert mornings and evenings bring out various bird species throughout the region.
Star photography: The lack of light pollution creates ideal conditions for stargazing and night photography. One camper at Ryan Campground describes the experience: "This is the most beautiful place to watch sunrise and sunset and stars. So peaceful." The higher elevation campgrounds typically offer the clearest night skies with minimal atmospheric interference.
Natural privacy barriers: Many sites feature rock formations or vegetation that create natural site divisions. At Indian Cove Campground, "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!" reports Heather L.
Mineral springs access: Several campgrounds near Desert Hot Springs offer therapeutic mineral pools. "The spring leaves your skin oh so soft and rejuvenated," notes a camper about the hot springs at Catalina Spa and RV Resort, where "two hot spring-fed pools and hot tubs (one of which is massive and SO luxe)" provide relaxation after hiking.
Trail access without driving: Some campgrounds connect directly to hiking trails. "There are actually tons of trails that lead directly out of the main camping area, so if you're not in the mood to even leave the campground, you can still experience a lot of nature," notes a reviewer about Black Rock Campground, making it convenient for hiking with dogs.
Wind exposure varies significantly: Campsites in open areas experience strong desert winds. At Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping, "It stays pretty quiet for the most part but there are LOTS of atv trails and no respect for timing or personal place on this public land. They will come by really early in the morning or late at night and will zoom right next to our camp."
Temperature planning is essential: Nighttime temperatures drop dramatically even in summer. "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!" shares Justin L. from Black Rock Campground.
Reservation requirements vary: Some campgrounds require advance planning while others don't. "We 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)," reports Ryan W. about making reservations at Black Rock Campground.
Accessible rock climbing: Even young children can safely explore boulder formations at many sites. "The campground was amazing. It was very hot in July so I went into town during peak afternoon hours but the morning and evenings at Jumbo Rocks are amazing!" reports Luc R., highlighting the importance of timing outdoor activities with children.
Educational opportunities: Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground provides unique wildlife viewing. "There is a nice little pond with lots of birds that my daughter loved," notes Jennifer O., making it an excellent spot for nature education with children.
Built-in entertainment: Some campgrounds offer family-oriented facilities. "There is plenty of space for kids to play, with lawns and a little playground. 2 pools both with shower rooms," reports Ashley M. about Catalina Spa and RV Resort, providing options for when children need breaks from hiking.
Site selection for privacy: RVers should prioritize sites with natural buffers. "Lower section is blocked by trees and bushes which block you from your neighbors," advises JMark H. about Catalina Spa and RV Resort, noting this layout provides more privacy than exposed upper section sites.
Leveling challenges: Many natural desert sites require preparation. "Sites are not level," notes one camper about a Joshua Tree campground, recommending that RVers "bring a light with you to the bathroom because it was dark even during the day." Bringing leveling blocks is essential for most area campgrounds.
Road condition awareness: Access roads to dispersed camping areas often present challenges. A camper at Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping advises, "Roads go from bumpy to pretty rough--be careful if the first time you're driving here is in the dark." Many unpaved roads deteriorate after rain, creating potentially hazardous conditions for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Pioneertown, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Pioneertown, CA is Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park with a 4.2-star rating from 56 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Pioneertown, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 231 dog-friendly camping locations near Pioneertown, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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