Off The Grid

This was a nice one nighter. We will def be back. Driving thru you can see that there are some “established” sites and frequent users know where they are. Make sure you check your weather or it may be a bit too windy. Some roads are really washboarded, some have been washed out. Overall we lived the peace and quiet.

Quick Trips

The area is crowded but the spaces are far enough apart that you don't get bothered by other campers noises. The distant 10fwy is a low hum on the wind so you dont really notice its there. Overall the many times I have taken my family here we have enjoyed it.

Desert Is In Bloom

A beautiful time of year. About one mile off the highway are over 100 places to pull off the well maintained gravel road and camp for free.. We drove a little ways down and had a place with no one around. Little shade but, the price is right. Perfect weather for a hike or some mountain biking.

Stayed on the south side of the freeway from the park for 2 nights. Had no problems.

VERY CROWDED

This area is PACKED. Absolutely nowhere to go to the bathroom or anything else private. Because of some storm, Joshua Tree National Park closed. Therefore we can't use the bathrooms up there. While this is an emergency place to Camp, I sure wouldn't recommend it. The Dam that runs parallel to the highway burst and some RVs are stuck and cannot get back to the road. Miserable..

Weekend Solution

Joshua tree campgrounds fill up every weekend all year plus it is really cold up top in the winter. This campground has unlimited sites. Just keep going till you find a spot. We liked it better than the park campgrounds except distances are surprisingly long so the park attractions are an hour or two away

This is a great area to camp for free just outside of Joshua Tree NP. If you are tenting burry you poop, don't make new fire rings, but fires are OK in established rock fire rings. It' BLM land with a 14 day stay limit. It's easy to find since a couple of RVs always seem to be present. It's far enough from the I 10 that engine noise is subtle. Sunsets are outstanding among Ironwood trees and Ocotillos. Overnight temperatures are 10 to 20 degrees F warmer than in the park! Water and flush toilets are 6 miles at the Cottonwood Visitor Center (restrooms open all night). Fuel, fast food/cafe are a 5 mile drive east in I 10 at Chiriaco Summit. Similar camping is available on a dirt road just north of the Patton Museum and petrol station.