While technically in Joshua Tree National Park, this campground sits on the Northwest edge of J.T., requires no park entrance fee, and does not connect with the main road through the park. It's a fine campground for those who can't get a site at one of the other campgrounds, or those who don't want to make the long, slow drive into the park. If you want to actually visit Joshua Tree, I'd find a different campground further into the park.
PROS: Easy access, Lots of sites with nice views overlooking the town, Several hiking trails starting at the edge of campground, separate campground for people with horses.
CONS: No shade, lot of the sites are uneven and hard-packed ground (You can't get spikes in deep enough at some sites, I wouldn't trust my tent being secure in high winds), Not really "in" the park, long drive to park entrance, you don't get that isolated feeling, campsites feel a bit too close to each other.
Each site has a fire pit and a concrete picnic table. Size of campsites seem to vary greatly. Facilities are clean, with flush toilets/urinals.
After being unable to get a site at our preferred campground in Joshua Tree we grabbed two spots at Black Rock Campground. While not bad, it wasn't that normal Joshua Tree feel, the lights from the nearby town wash out some of the night sky, and the camp just felt packed, even when it was at ~60% capacity.
The Salton Sea is a odd place, and definitely worth a visit. These campgrounds place you a short walk from the water, where the shores are made of fish bones.
PROS: Inexpensive - Sites almost always available - Clean - Unique experience
CONS: A major train line is right near the campsite, so you'll hear a train going by almost every hour of the day. They don't use there horns near the camp though, so It didn't bother us at all, but light sleepers may want ear plugs.
The campground is well maintained, with decent size campsites, clean bathrooms, and even showers ($0.50) available. Each site has a shade structure, fire pit, picnic bench, and enough room for several tents. There are great day use picnic areas near the water, with shade structures, picnic benches, and grills.
This is our second time staying here and it was just as nice as the first time. The camp hosts are always friendly and helpful. They keep the campgrounds in great shape, and patrol the area often.
There are amazing photo opportunities here, along with all the abandoned buildings in the nearby towns, Over 400 bird species have been documented at the Salton Sea, and Salvation Mountain/Slab City are only about 40 mins away.
Huge campground amongst the trees, right where the 18 & 189 meet, making getting here easy and quick. Most sites have several flattened out (mostly flat) areas for tents. Fire pits and picnic tables at every site. Depending on your site you can hear traffic go by occasionally, but otherwise a fantastic campground. All the sites are large and we'll spaced from others, most are shaded as well. Facilities were well kept and clean. Access to the Enchanted loop nature trail is at the back end of the camp and offers some great views.
Great campground near Atlatl rock. Mostly flat sites, with picnic table, potable water faucets, fire pit, and shade structure on most sites. Tucked in between the large red rocks, the site feels remote but easily accessible, just 2 miles from the west gate. The bathrooms we're clean, and well stocked with toilet paper. Big Horn Sheep were wandering through the area, really neat to see.
Pros: clean, level sites, close to shuttles. Cons: crowded campground, sites too close to each other.
Watchman campground is just inside the gates of Zion National Park. It's located right next to the visitors center and the two shuttles routes, making it wonderfully convenient to get around both inside the park and the bordering town. The camp site itself was partially shaded, well kept and level. A picnic bench and a fire pit sat under the shaded area. The bathrooms we're close and in decent shape. Flush toilets, multiple stalls and sinks.
Pros: plenty of sites available, first come first serve
Great night sky views, climb the rocks for a great sunset view.
Short drive to most of the popular sights / trails in Joshua Tree
Cons: Some sites are pretty close to each other, can feel crowded.
Fantastic first come first serve campground (31 sites) right in the middle of Joshua Tree. Really great spots near the boulders, some even had partial shade. Several toilets located throughout the campground. Each site had a fire ring and picnic bench. No water available, so bring in plenty!
Pros: Large campsites
Clean-ish toilets
Lake within walking distance
Cons: Right near highway, noisy
Lots of flies during the day
tent sites are very flat
Last minute trip and decided to check out Lake Campground. There are 8 sites placed on this hilly area, with a vault toilet in the center of the campground. It is located right next to the highway, so it can be pretty noisy during the day as its a popular route for motorcyclists. The campground itself was fairly clean, and all the sites were very large and spaced well away from each other. The sites weren't very flat, so options to set your tent up were very limited. Some sites had some shade, others almost none. There were tons of flies, very active during the daytime, but went away during the evening. The vault toilets were the cleanest I'd seen (For vault toilets) and the staff came through the campgrounds several times a day.
Jackson Lake is a short walk from the campgrounds. It has a nice day use picnic area with coal grills, picnic benches, and four vault toilets (in pretty poor condition). The lake was pretty small and had a stagnant smell to it. Lots of people were fishing, and a few people waded into the waters. I saw people in rafts / kayaks later in the day. The area was covered in fleas so careful with pets.
At the top of the Cuddy Valley road is a large parking lot (Adventure Pass required) for the hiking trail to the top of Mt. Pinos. Off to the other side is a dirt trail on the edge of a meadow, after about 200/300 yards is Chula Vista Campground. The camp sites vary greatly in size and flatness, so check around for the good ones.
First Come First serve camping, with some great spots overlooking the nearby meadow. The sites were clean and decently spread out, with fire rings and picnic benches.
It can get pretty windy up here so make sure your tent is staked down well. If you don't have an Adventure Pass, Mountain View Mini Mart in Frazier Park is the closest place i know that sells them. $5 a day, or $30 for the year pass. (you can get a second year pass for only $5).
Met a guy named Bob and helped set up his telescope in the parking lot, he let anyone who wanted check out the amazing night sky!
Pros: Free camping!
Great hiking nearby.
Shady, clean sites.
Great sky gazing!
Cons: Lots of flies, very active during the day.
Bathrooms were pretty messy. below average for vault toilets. Bring extra TP.