Top Free Dispersed Camping near Thousand Palms, CA
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Best Dispersed Sites Near Thousand Palms, CA (42)
1. Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping
33 Reviews•60 Photos•612 Saves- Pets
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
2. Joshua Tree North BLM
16 Reviews•36 Photos•153 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
3. Mecca Hills Wilderness
8 Reviews•17 Photos•270 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
4. Joshua tree BLM by entrance
12 Reviews•10 Photos•181 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
5. Joshua Tree South Dispersed Camping
12 Reviews•40 Photos•81 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
6. BLM Dispersed Camping at Joshua Tree
6 Reviews•21 Photos•191 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
7. North Joshua Tree
6 Reviews•14 Photos•93 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
8. Box Canyon Dispersed
5 Reviews•18 Photos•201 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
9. South Ridge Yellow Post Sites
2 Reviews•7 Photos•45 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
10. Geology Tour Road Dispersed Camping (with permit)
1 Review•7 Photos•61 Saves- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
Showing results 1-10 of 42 campgrounds
Recent Dispersed Reviews In Thousand Palms
199 Reviews of 42 Thousand Palms Campgrounds
- T
Tony B.
Traveler
South Ridge Yellow Post Sites
Awesome dispersed site with amazing views
Very nice to find a campsite this private on a weekend in southern California elevation is high enough that temperatures were very enjoyable (mid 80's)
- CCarson S.Traveler
BLM Dispersed Camping at Joshua Tree
Definition of Dispersed Camping
Everything about this site is not only free, but literally free to park and camp anywhere. There are private properties around, so just double check, but for the most part its wife open land to camp. Also currently in a fire ban, but that should be getting lifted in October. So campfires would be a great idea out here as well.
- ssoph M.
Guide
Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed
my all time favorite blm
absolutely incredible views, in my opinion better than the park itself! easy road and so many open spots + so many cool people
Ciara W.Guide
Joshua Tree South Dispersed Camping
Base camp close to Joshua Tree
We stayed here for 2 nights and worked from here with our starlink. Great internet - we had 2 people doing video calls.
Each site is pretty large and can fit at least 3 vans but they’re only about 100 ft off the dirt road.
- SSamay C.Traveler
East Flats
Great secluded location
First time car camping. Solo trip with my fur babies. Trails a little rough but good thing I have X-Mode on my Subaru. Lol. Arrived around 5:30pm on a Wednesday. Drove past a few campers. A few with big RV’s. Closest camper is about 30 yards away. Could barely hear their generator running. Planned on staying a few nights but after the first night I was told there was a big archery event and that the whole campground was reserved so I had to pack up and leave.
- DDee M.Traveler
Mill Creek Dispersed Camping
Over a dozen sites
There are lots of sites on this road. The closer you are to the road the more dust will get in your site from the vehicles passing. The road here. I went a to the second fork after the Bluff lake fork. There’s a private campground near the Bluff Lake entrance which made noises i can hear from my site which was before Bluffs lake fork. There are over a dozen sites along the main road. If you can pull in, it’s a site. Some better than others and spaced out so you may not see your neighbors from your site. 2x4 accessible as long as it’s not muddy or after snow. I saw a Prius on the trail.
Connor M.GuideMill Creek Dispersed Camping
Plenty of Spots
Overall great campground, there are definitely some permanent residents but there is more than enough spots to have some privacy.
Kique S.TravelerSouth Ridge Yellow Post Sites
Great spot!
This is a great area. I recommend you bring extra mosquito repellent. Have fun!
- CChandra B.Guide
East Flats
Quiet & Fresh Air
We are here RN! It is so peaceful and the air is so fresh! Pines, and clear blue skies! What more can you ask for a few hours away from LA proper…
Dickie Simmons S.TravelerMill Creek Dispersed Camping
Convenient free camping just outside of town
Great free camping when campgrounds are booked. Easy to navigate with GPS. Many large and small sites along the road. Some spots more secluded than others. Smaller rigs, medium clearance and lite off-road capabilities recommended. Good cellular reception in my particular location.
JJ D.GuideJoshua Tree South Dispersed Camping
Ease of access and free
Great location in proximity just outside of Joshua Tree National Park. There are plenty of spots for tents, pop-ups, campers, or RVs. Fire rings are already established.
Francisco F.TravelerMill Creek Dispersed Camping
Beautiful Spot For 4x4, But NOT For RVs
My husband and I were looking for good boondocking spots yesterday and we decided to check out this spot, after finding it on The Dyrt and a few other sites. It's definitely a beautiful place, and most of the road to the site is paved, but the road up to the actual spot is gravel, with lots of potholes and washboard areas, which would make it difficult for an RV. But the biggest issue for RVs is an area of the road that is very steep and immediately turns into a hairpin turn that we didn't even want to try in our 4x4, since the road is very thin and our SUV (a 2009 Nissan Pathfinder) is kind of thick. I'm sure it's probably nothing for people who are used to using their 4x4 for more than regular driving in the snow, etc., but it was too dodgy for us. There is no way that even a Class C rig would be able to take that steep incline and immediately do that sharp turn. And since there's nowhere to turn around in that spot, you'd have to back your rig down the incline and then quite a ways down the pitted, gravel road to get out of it.
It's full of trees and seems fairly remote, but we had 5 cars pass us as we were backing away from the incline, so it's obviously a busy spot - you wouldn't be there alone, and this was on a Thursday.
joel G.Guide
Gold Park Road Camp
South of 29 Palms
Takes a bit of time to find just the right spot, as some areas are a little trashy. Quiet, beautiful evening sunset enjoyed. Cools down nicely at night.
Alexis O.TravelerEast Flats
great spacious area
loved this spot. easy to find & very lowkey, with ample spaces to choose from. no amenities & great cell service.
- RRaymond M.
ScoutEast Flats
Nice lake!
No amenities but still nice and the price is right!
- MMo H.Traveler
Painted Canyon
Amazing stars
Absolutely quiet and an amazing starry sky
Ideal for tents
- DDaniel H.Traveler
Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping
GOOD ENOUGH
The area was easy to navigate; even when we pulled in late at night. There were a lot of people coming in and out as well. I wouldn’t recommend if you’re looking for privacy. Aside from that, I would camp if you’re looking for something easy, safe, and accessible.
- JJin S.Scout
Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping
Some areas are private land
Nice area but we were told that some areas have now become private land, so that’s something to watch out for.
- JJoe C.Scout
Box Canyon Dispersed
Sweet spot
Pretty sandy - would recommend 4wd but i suspect you could get in without. got my jeep deep into the canyon between coachella weekends and was the only person there.
Rainer R.Scout
North Joshua Tree
Nice stay, plenty of space
We arrived early in the afternoon around 4:30 pm and found a vast, open place witziges only few, dispersed campers. Access was easy, Solid ground . Only the partly littered areas prevent us from giving 5 stars.
- AAbe C.Guide
Yaqui Wash
If you just want to get outdoors...
There are a bunch of campsites along a service road that is parallel to a main road, several hundred feet away. This whole area is essentially within one valley, so you have mountains on both sides. It is well vegetated and allows for fairly easy hikes up the soft slopes.
The parking spots are right alongside the road, so for van camping is not so great, but tents can be put away from the road and therefore it's much more suitable for tenting.
The stretch of dirt road closest to the main road is Sandy, but manageable bull in a two wheel drive. This is where most of the campsites are. Further along the road, there are fewer camp sites, so they are more dispersed, however the road becomes more rocky and jutted, but for those wanting a bit more privacy, this is the spot to be.
I would like to come back in camp in this location. So i'm going to mark it to return another time.
- AAbe C.Guide
Yaqui Pass Camp
Easy stop if you need, otherwise keep driving
Drove in..., drove out. As another review noted, it's a big parking lot. Fine if you just need a place to pull over, nothing of value there..., maybe proximity to a hiking trail.
Emmi O.GuideJoshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping
Ok for one night stay
We arrived late in the evening and spent one night there. There was couple of other campers too, so we felt safe. No trash but smelled like urine. Cell service was okay.
amanda R.GuideJoshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed
Great night!
Really convenient if you’re in Joshua Tree. The sunset was a 10/10. Very quiet, but we went in July so it was miserably hot. There are fire circles scattered throughout each site. Cell service for xfinity was great. Very nice quiet night
Andrew B.Scout
Joshua Tree Hilltop
High clearance 4x4 camping JT
High clearance 4x4 required Can be windy Great views
Maura G.ScoutJoshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping
Stolen Tent
Not a bad spot in close proximity to Joshua Tree, but our tent disappeared from our site on 3/12. We left in the morning to hike and returned to our site to find that every piece of our tent and sleeping gear was gone.
Sine N.TravelerJoshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping
Easy to find a spot
Free. Easy to find a spot, lots to choose from. Clean and quiet. Cell reception was ok. The road was quite bumpy, but we managed with a campervan.
Guide to Thousand Palms
Camping near Thousand Palms, California, offers a unique blend of desert beauty and outdoor adventure. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to pitch your tent or park your RV.
What to do:
- Hiking: Explore the numerous trails around Joshua Tree National Park. Many campers rave about the hiking opportunities, with one reviewer noting, "So much exploring to be had right from your campsite. The high desert is fascinating."
- Rock Climbing: If you’re into climbing, the rock formations are a big draw. A visitor at Hidden Valley Campground mentioned, "The campground flanks some large rock formations that host rock climbers during the day."
- Stargazing: The clear desert skies make for incredible stargazing. A camper at Jumbo Rocks Campground said, "Be sure to climb up on the rocks at night for some awesome stargazing."
What campers like:
- Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the stunning landscapes. One reviewer at Indian Cove Campground said, "What a beautiful place. It was really quiet when we were there and saw a beautiful sunset and sunrise."
- Privacy: Many sites offer a sense of seclusion. A visitor at Black Rock Campground mentioned, "The sites are nicely spread out. Bathrooms are extremely clean."
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like William Heise County Park are noted for being great for families. One family shared, "Definitely was a nice stay and will be going back."
What you should know:
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Hidden Valley Campground, have basic facilities. A camper noted, "The Campground offers the most basic accommodations as toilets; no water or showers."
- Busy Seasons: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A visitor at Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed mentioned, "I arrived at 5 PM and already almost all spots were taken."
- Weather Variability: Be prepared for temperature swings. A camper at Indian Cove Campground warned, "It does get extremely hot as it’s in the desert and there’s little to no shade."
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like William Heise County Park that offer activities for kids. One reviewer said, "Great place for family and kids. Affordable."
- Plan for Activities: Bring games or outdoor toys to keep the kids entertained. A family at Jumbo Rocks Campground enjoyed climbing on the rocks, saying, "We had a ton of privacy and fun rocks to climb on."
- Stay Hydrated: The desert can be hot, so make sure to pack plenty of water. A camper at Lake Hemet Campground reminded others, "Bring your own water too."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Black Rock Campground suggested, "If you have a RV/Trailer/Van you may want some block to help get you level."
- Be Prepared for Dust: Roads can be bumpy, so drive carefully. A visitor at Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping noted, "The road was quite bumpy, but we managed with a campervan."
- Plan for Limited Services: Some campgrounds may not have hookups. A camper at Indian Cove Campground mentioned, "Smaller rigs only. Not very level sights."
Camping near Thousand Palms, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're hiking, climbing, or just soaking in the views. With a little planning, you can have a fantastic experience in this beautiful desert landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Thousand Palms, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Thousand Palms, CA is Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping with a 3.5-star rating from 33 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Thousand Palms, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 42 dispersed camping locations near Thousand Palms, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.