Complete Guide to Black Rock Campground in Joshua Tree National Park

Black Rock Campground in Joshua Tree National Park is a sizeable ninety-nine-site campground with an additional 20 horse campsites available. My favorite part of Black Rock Campground is that it is in one of the thickest Joshua Tree forests in the park!

Here are my top finds for (JTNP) Joshua Tree National Park:
🏨Hotels: RESET Hotel Joshua Tree, AutoCamp Joshua Tree
📍Tours: JTNP Scenic Tour, JTNP 4X4 Off-Road Backcountry Tour
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip

Black Rock Campground - Joshua Tree National Park

Black Rock Canyon Campground is at an elevation of 4,000 feet and has a mix of sun and shade. If you are visiting during the park's busy season from October through May, you will want to make a reservation as soon as you know your travel dates. Camping in Joshua Tree National Park is extremely popular, and this is one of four campgrounds where you can make a reservation.

There is no access to the central portion of Joshua Tree National Park from the Black Rock Campground except by hiking trails. The campground is located along the northern perimeter of the park. While the campground does have a ton of Joshua Trees, there are not a ton of large spots with shade. You will want to be prepared for the weather and heat. In the summer, the park can easily reach well over 100 degrees during the day.

Black Rock Campground Map

Campground Fees

Make sure to check with the park for the most updated camping fees

Campground Reservations

Are Reservations Available? Yes
Phone Number? (877)444-6777
Online? Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance for October through May here
How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? Up to 6 months ahead of your travel dates.
First-Come, First-Serve site available? Yes

Park Ranger John Pro Tip - Joshua Tree is a great park to visit in the winter! June through August typically receive uncomfortably high desert heat ranging from the upper 90's to low 100's and over 14+ hours of daylight and little shade. Most visitors and campers prefer warm, dry winters when temperatures range between 70-90 during the day and 40-60 degrees at night.

Black Rock Campground General Information

Season: Some campsites for Black Rock Campground is closed for the park's off-season (June 1 through September 1).
Typically, campsites 1-39 remain open year-round.

Number of Sites: 99 campsites plus 20 horse campsites.
Check-in time: 12 pm (noon)
Checkout time: 12 pm (noon)
Phone Number: (760)367-3001
Campground Address:
9800 Black Rock Canyon, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Latitude/Longitude:
Latitude: 34° 4' 18.0001" N
Longitude: 116° 23' 21.0001" W
Elevation: 4000 feet
Accessible Sites: Black Rock campsite 61 is ADA-compliant.

Visitor Center at Black Rock Campground Joshua Tree National Park

Campground Amenities

Potable Water? Yes
Bear Box in site/area? No
Flush Toilets? Yes
Laundry: No
Showers: No. Showers, laundry, and other amenities are available in Yucca Valley, five miles away.
Is Wi-Fi available? No
Is Cellular Service Available? No
Is there a camp host available on-site? Yes
Is firewood available for purchase? No. Bring your own firewood. You can not gather park vegetation.
Amphitheater: Yes, year-round
Are fire pits/fire rings available at each site? Yes
Are Picnic Tables available at each site? Yes

Campsite 25 Black Rock Campground Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 25 Black Rock Campground

RV Camping at Black Rock Campground

Hookups Available: There are no water or electric hookups available

RV Length:

Sites that can accommodate a maximum vehicle length of 38-40 feet are sites 7, 9, 13, 15, 17, and 20.

Sites that can accommodate a maximum vehicle length of 42 feet are sites 38, 41, 43, 45, 46, 47, and 48.

Generators: Generator use is permitted only from 7 am to 9 am, 12 pm to 2 pm, and 5 pm to 7 pm.

Dump Station: Yes

Campsite 29 Black Rock Campground Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 29 Black Rock Campground

Black Rock Campground Regulations

A maximum of six people, three tents and two vehicles can occupy a single campsite.

Quiet Hours: 10 pm to 6 am

Pets Allowed? : Pets are not allowed on trails but are welcome in the campground, on any dirt road, or within 100 feet of any road.
Pets must remain on a leash at all times and may not be left unattended.

Make sure to remember to B.A.R.K.
B - Bag your pet's waste and dispose of it properly.
A- Always leash your pet, leashes may be no longer that six feet in length, under your control and not left unattended.
R- Respect Wildlife - keep you and your pet plenty of distance from park wildlife.
K- Know where you can go; pets are welcomed throughout Greenbelt Park, except inside the Ranger Station.

A vehicle towing a trailer, pop-up, tent trailer, or fifth wheel or a motorhome towing a vehicle is considered two vehicles.

There is a 30-day camping limit each year, and only 14 nights can occur between October and May.

Campsites left vacant for 24 hours will be treated as vacant.

Holding or reserving a campsite for people not present is not allowed

No slacklines in campground.

Campsite 35 Black Rock Campground Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 35 Black Rock Campground

Don't Forget to Pack

Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.

We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors.

Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.
Bring your water bottleand plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.
Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!

Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!

Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.

Campsite 37 Black Rock Campground Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 37 Black Rock Campground

Things to do When Camping at Black Rock Campground

🥾 Hike the High View Nature Trail, a short loop with views over the Morongo Valley and the surrounding mountains
🏔️ Climb to Warren Peak for one of the best summit views in the park's northwest corner
🌲 Take the Panorama Loop to look out over the Mojave Desert and across to the San Jacinto and San Bernardino mountains
🐦 Watch for birds in the Joshua tree and juniper woodland, including desert songbirds and raptors
🐴 Ride horseback on park trails if you bring stock and stay at the neighboring Black Rock Equestrian Campground
🏛️ Stop by the Black Rock Nature Center when it is open in season for maps, exhibits, and ranger information
🌌 Stargaze under dark skies in an International Dark Sky Park
📸 Photograph the Joshua trees at sunrise and sunset, when the light is warm and low

Campsite 39 Black Rock Campground Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 39 Black Rock Campground

Best Joshua Tree National Park Tours & Activities

Joshua Tree National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars (809+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 3 to 4 hours (self-paced) | 🚗🎧 Check Rates and Availability

This GPS-triggered audio tour is one of the best values at any national park on Viator. Narration fires automatically as you reach each stop along the 63-mile route through the park, covering Skull Rock, Cap Rock, Lost Horse Mine, Hidden Valley, and more. Works fully offline once downloaded, which matters since cell service disappears quickly inside the park.

Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars (593+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 3 to 5 hours | 🚐 Check Rates and Availability

A small-group guided tour with a maximum of 9 guests, departing from Palm Springs or the Yucca Valley Welcome Center. Guides consistently earn outstanding individual reviews for their knowledge of the park's geology, indigenous history, and ecology, and their ability to make the otherworldly landscape come alive for first-time visitors. General park admission is included in the tour price. Snacks and bottled water are provided.

Joshua Tree National Park 4x4 Off-Road Backcountry Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (470+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 5 hours | 🚙🏜️ Check Rates and Availability

The standout adventure experience at Joshua Tree, this 4x4 off-road tour from Big Wheel Tours takes guests deep into the backcountry on terrain no regular vehicle can reach. Guides Jeff, Ben, Ron, Dale, and Will earn extraordinary reviews for their knowledge of the desert's geology, plant life, and wildlife, and their ability to tailor each tour to the group's interests. Reviewers consistently say they saw parts of the park most visitors never find. Bottled water and snacks included. Recommended by 98% of travelers across nearly 500 reviews. Flagged as likely to sell out. Booked an average of 31 days in advance. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Click here to find more great Joshua Tree National Park tours.

Campsite 43 Black Rock Campground Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 43 Black Rock Campground

Lodging near Joshua Tree National Park

There are no lodges in Joshua Tree National Park. Here are a couple of hotels I would love to stay in on my next trip to Joshua Tree!

⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - RESET Hotel Joshua Tree - Click here for Rates and Availability.

Joshua Tree's first new boutique hotel in 15 years and one of the most exciting hotel openings in the American Southwest, a minimalist Mars-inspired desert retreat on 180 spectacular acres just 8 minutes from the park's north entrance!

The 65 rooms and suites feature private patios with Solo Stove fire pits, outdoor daybeds for stargazing, French doors opening to unobstructed desert views, in-room pour-over coffee setups, spa-inspired bathrooms, and solar lanterns. RESET is the only hotel in the world with a Celestron Origin smart telescope, and guided sessions with a retired NASA/JPL astronomer are available. Shared amenities include a saltwater pool with mountain views, outdoor hot tub, five-person sauna, cold-plunge tub, morning yoga, the Split Rock Cafe and Bar, communal fire pits, a Moonpad stargazing deck, EV charging, free WiFi, and free parking. Pet friendly and open year-round!

⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - AutoCamp Joshua Tree - Click here for Rates and Availability.

The coolest place to sleep near Joshua Tree National Park, a luxury glamping resort featuring iconic Airstream suites, classic cabins, and tiny homes sitting just steps from the west entrance to the park!

Each accommodation features a private patio, kitchenette with microwave and cookware, rainfall showerheads, Smart TVs, and premium linens, with the Airstream Vista suites offering a separate outdoor shower under the desert sky. Complimentary granola, pour-over coffee, and tea are served each morning, and the Clubhouse bar and restaurant host evening live music and events. Additional amenities include a seasonal heated outdoor pool, complimentary bikes, free WiFi, EV charging, fire pits, a kids playground, yoga classes, pet friendly options, and free parking. Open year-round!

Click on this link or the map below for vacation rentals and lodges near the park.

Joshua Tree National Park Entrance Fee

7-day single-vehicle park pass - $30.00

7-day individual park pass - $15.00

7-day motorcycle park pass - $25.00

Joshua Tree National Park Annual Pass - $55.00

Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder.

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

National Park Pass highlighting Collared lizard at Wupatki National Monument

Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.