Joshua Tree National Park guide · 1 min read
Nine Campgrounds and Peak-Season Camping
Joshua Tree National Park has nine campgrounds, with settings that range from developed sites with full facilities to more primitive camps.
Nearly 85 percent of the park's campsites can be reserved ahead of time, and the rest are first-come, first-served. Because cell service inside the park is very limited, it helps to settle your plans before you arrive.
Reservations are made on recreation.gov, and you can book up to six months ahead or the same day if a site is still open. Booking is especially wise for holidays, weekends, and any stay in spring. Reservations are required at every campground except Hidden Valley, White Tank, and Belle, so Jumbo Rocks and Sheep Pass Group are booked in advance.
The busy peak camping season runs from October to May. Campgrounds usually fill on weekends throughout these months, and from mid-February to mid-May they often fill on weeknights too. If you want better odds of an open site, visiting from June through September is the easier option.
Hidden Valley, White Tank, and Belle are first-come, first-served. To claim a site, find an empty one and occupy it, such as by pitching a tent or leaving personal items there. Then go straight to an entrance station to register. On weekends these three are typically full by Friday afternoon, so arriving earlier in the week improves your chances.
Desert weather shifts considerably through the year. Spring and fall are the most comfortable, with average highs near 85 degrees and lows around 50. Winter days are cooler, around 60 degrees, with freezing nights, and snow occasionally falls at higher elevations. Summer highs often pass 100 degrees, and nights may cool to about 75. Weather can change quickly, so check a forecast before you set out.
