Best Campgrounds near Yucca Valley, CA

Camping around Yucca Valley gives you several good options for staying near Joshua Tree National Park. Indian Cove Campground sits among massive rock formations with hiking trails right from your campsite. Hidden Valley Campground draws rock climbers to its boulder fields and has some of the most scenic sites in the park. You won't find water at either campground, so bring all you need, though both have basic restrooms. Jumbo Rocks Campground has great views and easy trail access where you might spot coyotes or jackrabbits during your stay. If you're into climbing, Hidden Valley should be your first choice with routes for various skill levels. The town of Yucca Valley is close enough to grab food, ice, and other supplies without a long drive. Most people camp here in spring and fall when temperatures are comfortable. Summers get brutally hot in the desert, while winter nights can drop below freezing, especially at higher elevations. The park does a good job maintaining the campgrounds, with clean bathrooms and enough space between sites to feel like you have your own area. Hiking, climbing or just sitting under the stars - camping near Yucca Valley puts you right in the middle of desert landscapes.

Best Camping Sites Near Yucca Valley, California (298)

    1. Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    48 Reviews
    Yucca Valley, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 367-5554

    $35 / night

    "To get to Black Rock Campground in Joshua Tree, you have to take a separate road into it from Yucca Valley."

    "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"

    2. Indian Cove Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    62 Reviews
    Twentynine Palms, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 367-5554

    $55 / 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."

    3. Jumbo Rocks Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    116 Reviews
    Twentynine Palms, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 367-5554

    $30 / night

    "The rocks around the campground are fun to climb on and explore, plus they create an amazing show of light and shadow from sunrise to moonrise."

    "They're situated between HUGE boulders so they're nicely tucked away from high winds that can sometimes pick up."

    4. Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping

    34 Reviews
    Twentynine Palms, CA
    12 miles
    Website

    "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."

    5. Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground

    27 Reviews
    Landers, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 366-1213

    $15 - $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."

    6. Hidden Valley Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    39 Reviews
    Twentynine Palms, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 367-3001

    "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."

    "Location is great and close by to al the main attraction!"

    7. Joshua Tree North BLM

    19 Reviews
    Twentynine Palms, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 252-6000

    "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."

    8. Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA

    21 Reviews
    Desert Hot Springs, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 251-6555

    "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."

    "Plenty of stuff to do behind the walls, mini golf, dog kamp, pool, hot tubs, games, game room... Nice shower house and bathrooms. Camp store is a little small but has the essentials."

    9. Ryan Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    30 Reviews
    Twentynine Palms, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 367-5554

    $30 / night

    "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.

            "

    10. Catalina Spa and RV Resort

    21 Reviews
    Desert Hot Springs, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 329-4431

    $22 - $44 / 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."

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Yucca Valley, CA

1485 Reviews of 298 Yucca Valley Campgrounds



Guide to Yucca Valley

Camping near Yucca Valley, California, offers a unique blend of stunning desert landscapes and outdoor adventures. With several campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails in the area. Campers rave about the hikes near Jumbo Rocks Campground, with one reviewer noting, "So much exploring to be had right from your campsite."
  • Rock Climbing: If you’re into climbing, Hidden Valley is a hotspot. A visitor mentioned, "The rocks are great to boulder, scramble, or climb on."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One camper at Indian Cove Campground shared, "Talk about waking up with the sound of coyotes in your camp, it was so peaceful."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers love the breathtaking views. A review for Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed said, "Absolutely incredible views, in my opinion better than the park itself!"
  • Privacy: Many appreciate the spacious sites. One camper at Black Rock Campground noted, "The sites are nicely spread out."
  • Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms are a big plus. A visitor at Lake Hemet Campground mentioned, "The campground is clean and the fishing is good, most of the time."

What you should know:

  • No Water at Some Sites: Many campgrounds, like Hidden Valley Campground, do not have drinking water available. One camper advised, "Bring your own water too."
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A visitor at Hidden Valley said, "Filled up by 4 PM in mid-May."
  • Limited Amenities: Campgrounds like Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping lack facilities. A camper noted, "No trash but smelled like urine."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Indian Cove Campground, which is described as "very family friendly."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys. One camper at Lake Hemet Campground suggested, "If you have little ones, you can take them with a wagon."
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on kids, especially near rocks. A visitor at Jumbo Rocks Campground mentioned, "We had a ton of privacy and fun rocks to climb on."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Black Rock Campground said, "If you have a RV/Trailer/Van you may want some block to help get you level."
  • Be Prepared for Dusty Roads: Roads can be rough. One camper at Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed noted, "The road was quite bumpy, but we managed with a campervan."
  • Cell Service Varies: Check your service provider. A visitor at Indian Cove Campground mentioned, "Verizon 5G works great here."

With these insights, you’re all set for an enjoyable experience in the great outdoors around Yucca Valley, CA camping!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Yucca Valley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Yucca Valley, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 298 campgrounds and RV parks near Yucca Valley, CA and 37 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Yucca Valley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Yucca Valley, CA is Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park with a 4.2-star rating from 48 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Yucca Valley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 37 free dispersed camping spots near Yucca Valley, CA.

What parks are near Yucca Valley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Yucca Valley, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.