Dispersed camping options near Twentynine Palms, California provide basic accommodations in a high desert environment situated at elevations between 1,700 and 2,300 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F while winter nights can drop below freezing. The desert terrain consists primarily of hard-packed sand, scattered creosote, and exposed granite formations that offer minimal natural shelter from sun or wind.
What to do
Sunrise photography opportunities: The eastern-facing slopes near Sheephole Valley Wilderness provide unobstructed views of desert sunrises. Arrive 30-40 minutes before official sunrise time and set up on higher ground. "Pretty at sunset," notes one visitor, though the area requires navigation through "some sand to drive through" to reach the prime viewing spots.
Night sky observation: The dark skies at North Joshua Tree provide exceptional stargazing with minimal light pollution. Bring red-filtered flashlights and a star chart to identify constellations. "The view is great," reports a camper who specifically visited during the Perseid meteor shower when "it was 100° when we got to our area. By 10 pm it was in the 80's."
Off-highway vehicle exploration: Several designated trails exist through the area, particularly popular on weekends. Be aware that noise impacts other campers. At Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping, one visitor observed: "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."
What campers like
Spacious camping areas: The open desert landscape allows for substantial distance between campsites. At BLM Dispersed Camping at Joshua Tree, campers appreciate the room to spread out. One visitor noted, "You have SO much space! There were a bunch of camper vans parked but there's so much space so you don't feel crammed and still have plenty of privacy!"
Established fire rings: Many areas feature rock fire rings from previous visitors, though fire regulations vary seasonally. A camper at BLM Dispersed Camping at Joshua Tree reported, "Awesome vast desert space with many firerings. Just pick up yours. Great sunset and just fifteen minutes drive from Joshua NP. 5G and cell reception."
Proximity to attractions: Campsites provide convenient bases for day trips to Joshua Tree National Park and surrounding areas. A visitor at Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping shared, "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. No one really messes with your gear and you aren't far from town."
What you should know
Trash accumulation: Many sites suffer from improper waste disposal. At Gold Park Road Camp, campers report significant problems: "Had to drive in quite a way to get away from garbage. It's a weekend so lots of OHV noise and other noise." Another noted the area "has not been kept up by previous campers or people in pacing, which is unfortunate because it has the potential to be a good spot for dispersed camping."
Weather extremes: Desert conditions produce significant temperature variations and strong winds. At Joshua Tree North BLM, a visitor warned, "I found it to be very windy and lots of dust storms, could have used some goggles. Spent all my time in the van. A harsh environment but tons of space. Welcome to mars."
Road conditions: Access roads deteriorate further after rainfall. One camper at North Joshua Tree cautioned: "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." Another observed: "The weather had been good so the track was not rough."
Tips for camping with families
Arrival timing: Schedule arrival during daylight hours to better assess camping spots and potential hazards. A camper at Joshua Tree Lake noted, "There's indeed plenty of room, but come during daylight hours. Otherwise, you might encounter some unpleasant surprises with the nails and other debris (shell casings, broken glass, metal fragments) scattered across the field."
Site selection for noise management: Choose spots away from main access routes to minimize disruption from off-road vehicles. At Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping, one family reported, "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."
Weather preparations: Pack for significant temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night. At Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed, campers advised: "The wind was quite strong so make sure you have good pegs and sandbags. Plenty of spots to choose from without driving too far from the road."
Tips from RVers
Surface assessment: Evaluate ground conditions carefully before driving RVs onto unpaved areas. One visitor at Joshua Tree South warned, "We had a lovely stay for two nights... We saw 3 of them get bogged in 3 different spots - two were proper 4WD's and one took two tow trucks to get it out so beware and scope out your drive off the main trail first."
Proximity to services: Some areas provide better access to necessary facilities than others. A camper at North Joshua Tree noted, "Further up Sunfair is a family run campground, wonderful people, standard site pricing ($30 dry, $55 full hookup). Convenient to have nearby because they'll let you use the dump station for $20, fill your water for $5, and shower for $10."
Vehicle clearance requirements: Standard passenger vehicles can navigate some but not all access roads. At North Joshua Tree, one RVer observed: "The best road into the area is Sunfield to 4th then left at Cascade (t intersection). Cascade is lumpy with dips & such but it's a short drive to the entrance."
