19 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Camping near Thousand Palms, California spans from full-service RV parks to public land sites within proximity to Joshua Tree National Park. The region includes campgrounds like Catalina Spa and RV Resort and Thousand Trails Palm Springs, both offering mixed-use facilities that accommodate tent campers, RVs, and cabin rentals. Located in the Coachella Valley desert environment, these campgrounds provide convenient access to Palm Springs attractions while serving as bases for exploring Joshua Tree National Park approximately 30-45 minutes away. Most developed sites in the area feature amenities such as swimming pools, laundry facilities, and full hookups, particularly appealing during winter months when temperatures remain mild.
Weather conditions significantly shape the camping season around Thousand Palms, with most facilities operating year-round but experiencing highest demand from fall through spring. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, making camping challenging without adequate cooling systems. Public campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park like Hidden Valley, Black Rock, and Jumbo Rocks offer more primitive camping experiences with basic amenities such as vault toilets and picnic tables but limited or no water sources. Reservation requirements vary by location, with most private RV parks requiring advance booking during peak winter months. One visitor noted, "We are here in November and December and daytime high's are in the low 80's. The park feels like a day on beach with white sand to park on in most spaces, towering Palm trees, and brightly colored tropical flowers."
Many campgrounds near Thousand Palms feature distinctive desert landscapes with palm trees and mountain views as primary attractions. Campers consistently mention proximity to desert hot springs as a highlight of staying in the area. Several visitors noted challenges with site spacing in the more developed RV parks, with one review mentioning, "The palm trees and strange angles make it difficult to get in. Definitely be sure to arrive during daylight hours if it's your first time here." Road noise from nearby Interstate 10 affects some camping areas, particularly Thousand Trails Palm Springs. Proximity to Joshua Tree National Park provides opportunities for rock climbing, hiking, and stargazing excursions. The region's camping options generally reflect a balance between access to urban amenities in Palm Springs and the natural desert landscapes that characterize the area.
"They're situated between HUGE boulders so they're nicely tucked away from high winds that can sometimes pick up."
"bathrooms but no water access and the main entrance is about 45 drive, so come prepared. great access to climbing walking distance or short drive. stunning rock formations and sunrise/sunsets."
Available this weekend
from $30 / night
"The 30 Amp side is pull through so we decided to set up at site 61 further away from the Highway because it is a bit noisy from road noise."
"The is a beautiful Thousand Trails RV Resort in Palm Springs, California! The park is large, very spacious and so clean!"
"The KOA is reasonably priced for KOA and California. 3 hot spring tubs. Pool is warm and wall stops wind. Many activities for kids miniature golf, jump board, play ground."
"ALSO not the parks fault but 2 small trailers pulled in next to us around 10 pm and had lots of people and lots of kids."
"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."
"You don’t get many good views inside the RV park gates, but once you walk out there driveway and along the street you can actually get some good mountain views on clear days."
from $22 - $44 / 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."
Available this weekend
from $35 / night
"Rangers comes around several times per day to collect camping fees. Have credit card ready to pay. Honor system upon exit if you miss them. Easy walk to Hidden Valley loop trail."
"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."
"This camp site was tucked in the back, 12 miles from Joshua Tree park entrance. This site was on the side of the rocks that provided shade for more than 12 hours in the day."
"Short drive to most of the popular sights / trails in Joshua Tree Cons: Some sites are pretty close to each other, can feel crowded.
"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / 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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $55 / night
"Mail delivery is convenient, but the lack of security at the campground entrance feels like a gap."
"With snow in the surrounding mountains. It seems to be surrounded by mountains in the winter months."
from $60 / night
"It's a lovely location with almost perfect weather in the winter. April very windy and May, it starts getting hotter. However, you can take the tram up majestic Mt."
"Lots of exploring within a hours drive to great sights like Joshua Tree NP, Palm Springs, Salton sea, Idlewild, Borrego Springs, etc."
GuideThere were soooo many spots to pick from easily at least 75+ if you drive all the way down. The road is gravel and was easy in our mini van, crowded of course but hey it’s right near the entrance of a national park
ScoutLots of open space
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.
Desert campsites near Thousand Palms, California sit at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,300 feet across the Coachella Valley, experiencing temperature swings of up to 40°F between day and night. The area's geology features the San Andreas Fault line running directly through the region, creating unique hot springs that feed several RV resorts. Winter camping nights typically drop to the mid-40s even when daytime temperatures reach the 70s.
Boulder climbing at Jumbo Rocks: Explore natural rock formations perfect for amateur climbers of all skill levels at Jumbo Rocks Campground. "I love this spot specifically because it is a great place to climb. It's conveniently close to skull rock and discovery trail. Although my favorite part of this campground is how clearly you can see the stars," notes Andrea C.
Night sky photography: The dark skies in Joshua Tree National Park create ideal conditions for astrophotography. "I recommend visiting during a new moon. The sunsets and night sky have to be some of the best in the world," says Chance C. from Jumbo Rocks Campground.
Soak in natural mineral hot springs: Many RV parks near Thousand Palms feature natural hot spring pools with varying temperatures. At Sam's Family Spa RV Resort, "Four mineral water small pools set to different temperatures. The hottest is 104 degrees. These pools are powered by natural hot springs no added chemicals!" according to a reviewer.
Natural privacy barriers: At Catalina Spa and RV Resort, sites have thoughtful landscaping. "Lower section is blocked by trees and bushes which block you from your neighbors. Lower mineral pool is more adult friendly," notes JMark H., highlighting how the layout creates more private camping spots.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds feature unexpected wildlife encounters. "In the morning, we spent our days scrambling across the rock formations and our nights marveling at the Milky Way in one of the best dark-sky locations in California," writes Jama A. about their stay at Jumbo Rocks.
Desert spring blooms: Depending on winter rainfall, February through April can bring colorful wildflower displays. "The vegetation came alive the Joshua Trees, the cactus and flowers were all perked up and some puddles of rain water still covered the ground in a few areas," observes Dave M. from Indian Cove Campground.
Site selection matters for wind protection: The high desert experiences frequent strong winds. "Sites are good, bathrooms are always cleaned. Close to amenities if you need it compared to the more remote stays inside the national park," notes Ashley W. from Black Rock Canyon.
Water access limitations: Most Joshua Tree National Park campgrounds lack water sources. "Make sure you check the low and high temps to plan accordingly. The desert has been known to test adventurers, so travel safely," advises Justin L., emphasizing the need to bring adequate water supplies.
Cell service varies dramatically: Coverage depends entirely on campground location. "I like this campground the best because the road is paved and that cuts down on the desert dust. Only drawback is there is no cell service at all at this campground," reports Susan N. about Jumbo Rocks Campground.
Temperature extremes: Desert conditions create wide temperature variations. "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 one camper about their winter camping experience.
Choose campgrounds with family activities: Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA offers structured recreation. "Many activities for kids miniature golf, jump board, play ground. Many activities for adults as well the staff are very nice and helpful," reports Cheryl T.
Prepare for wildlife encounters: Children enjoy observing desert wildlife but need safety guidelines. "We did have a coyote visitor twice in the morning, so don't forget to keep your food/trash locked up from critters!" advises Sierra T. about their Joshua Tree camping experience.
Consider proximity to medical services: Remote campgrounds can be 45+ minutes from urgent care facilities. "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," mentions a reviewer about Black Rock Canyon.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require significant leveling work. "Sites are not level. Our dump hookup ended up being uphill so one has to milk the house to empty (our neighbors had the same situation)," warns Cindy B. about their experience at Ryan Campground.
Rig size restrictions matter: Several campgrounds have tight access roads. "Amazing what a delightful place to stay! Very unique with stunning boulders through your the camp ground! Clean bathrooms too!! No showers or hook up if any kind! We have a 29ft trailer with truck got in and out ok much bigger you would have a problem many tight spaces," explains Diane M. about Jumbo Rocks.
Power management for summer stays: Temperatures regularly exceed 100°F in summer months. "Spots on the east side have 50 and 30 amp and most are quite large. Clean laundry area, dog bark and a clubhouse with activities for the kids," notes Bryan S. about a Thousand Trails location, emphasizing the importance of adequate power for cooling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Thousand Palms, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Thousand Palms, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 422 campgrounds and RV parks near Thousand Palms, CA and 117 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Thousand Palms, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Thousand Palms, CA is Jumbo Rocks Campground — Joshua Tree National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 125 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Thousand Palms, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 117 free dispersed camping spots near Thousand Palms, CA.
What parks are near Thousand Palms, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Thousand Palms, CA that allow camping, notably Joshua Tree National Park and San Bernardino National Forest.
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