Complete Guide to Indian Cove Campground in Joshua Tree National Park

Indian Cove Campground has 101 campsites and an additional 13 tent-only group sites. Campsites here are on a flat sandy surface surrounded by large boulders.

I love how the campfire light reflects and glow off the boulders at night!

Indian Cove Campground - Joshua Tree National Park

Indian Cove is a very popular camping location due to its close proximity to steep rock formations with a variety of rock climbing routes for climbers, several trails for hikers, and clear skies for stargazers alike.

Rock climbers flock to the Indian Cove Campground in Joshua Tree National Park as it lies amid the huge, steep rock formations in unique shapes. The also love the variety of routes and warmer temperatures that can be found in the interior of 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.

2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

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 five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Indian Cove Campground Map Joshua Tree National Park — Indian Cove Campground Map

Campground Fees

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

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Campground Reservations

Are Campground Reservations Available? Yes, Reservations are required year-round and can be made up to six months in advance.

Phone Number? (877) 444-6777
Online? Click here to book your stay at Indian Cove Campground.
How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? Individual sites at Indian Cove Campground operate on a six-month rolling basis.

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.

Indian Cove Campground General Information

Season: The campground has a partial summer closure in the park's off-season, typically between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Campsites 1-39 usually remain open, but campsite closures and dates can change yearly.
Number of Sites: 101 individual sites, plus the Indian Cove Group Campground has 13 tent-only group sites.
Check-out time: 12 pm (Noon)
Campground Address:
Indian Cove Campground
7295 Indian Cove Road
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Latitude/Longitude:
Latitude: 34° 7' 12.0000" N
Longitude: 116° 9' 20.9999" W
Elevation: 3,200 feet
Accessible Sites: ADA Information - There are no ADA-accessible campsites in Indian Cove Campground. If you want to reserve ADA-accessible campsites, please look into Jumbo Rocks Campground, site 122, and Black Rock Campground, site 61, which are ADA-accessible.

campsite 23 Indian Cove Campground Joshua Tree National Park Ca — campsite 23 Indian Cove Campground

Campground Amenities

Potable Water? No, A drinkable water spigot is available near the campground ranger station.
Bear Box in site/area? No
Flush Toilet Restrooms? No, the campground has pit toilets/Vault Toilets, as there is no water in the campground.
Laundry: No
Showers: No
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
Amphitheater: Yes, Year Round
Are fire pits/fire rings available at each site? Yes
Are Picnic Tables available at each site? Yes

campsite 24 Indian Cove Campground Joshua Tree National Park — campsite 24 Indian Cove Campground

RV Camping at Indian Cove Campground

Hookups Available: There are no electric, water, or sewer hook-ups available at individual campsites

RV Length: 35-foot max length

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

Dump Station: No

For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!

Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando

How to get to Indian Cove Campground

Take Interstate 10 to State Highway 62. Turn south on Indian Cove Road. Follow the road into the campground.

If coming from the east, follow Highway 62 approximately seven miles west of the city of Twentynine Palms and turn south onto Indian Cove Road.

campsite 30 Indian Cove Campground Joshua Tree National Park — campsite 30 Indian Cove Campground

Indian Cove Campground Regulations

The maximum number of people in a campsite: Maximum of 6 people

The number of cars per campsite: 2 cars, A vehicle towing a trailer, pop-up, tent trailer, or fifth wheel—or a motorhome towing a vehicle—is considered two vehicles.

Quiet Hours: 10 pm to 6 am

Pets Allowed: Yes, but they must be on a leash less than 6 feet

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.

Camping fees must be paid within one hour of selecting a campsite.

There is a 30-day camping limit each year. Only 14 of these nights may take place from October to May.

campsite 31 Indian Cove Campground Joshua Tree National Park — campsite 30 Indian Cove Campground

Don't forget to pack these items

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 bottle and 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.

Things to do and nearby attractions at Indian Cove Campground

Wildlife Viewing - Joshua Tree is home to a variety of typical desert inhabitants, including coyotes, squirrels, bobcats, lizards, scorpions, desert tarantulas, the Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and the elusive desert tortoise! If that's not enough, birders will rejoice as over 250 species of birds have been identified in the park, including ravens, Cactus Wren, and the Greater Roadrunner. Needless to say, don't forget your binoculars and cameras!

Joshua Tree Visitor Center & Cultural Center - located in the town of twentynine palms, this beautiful new information center is near the park's North Entrance, with fantastic educational displays, rangers handing out brochures and trail maps, and a nice bookstore you will not want to miss! They also offer rotating exhibits that celebrate the culture, history, and stories of the Native American Communities.

Explore the Night Sky - Did you know Joshua Tree's clear desert skies are the perfect place to go star-gazing, see the Milky Way, and do night photography? This is especially true during the cooler months of the year as cold air holds less moisture leading to clearer skies with less haze and better visibility.

Joshua Tree is one of only 11 Dark Sky Parks in the US and the park even has four designated stargazing areas. There is even a Junior Ranger Night Explorers program and the park also offers Night Sky programs. Make sure to check their calendar for upcoming programs.

Hiking trails - in the Indian Canyon area include the Indian Cove Nature Trail, the Boy Scout Trail, Rattlesnake Canyon, and Fortynine palm oasis. Indian Cove is a nice short interpretive nature trail while the others are a bit longer, over a wide array of landscapes including Rattlesnake Canyon that is a 3+ mile rock scramble with plenty of rocks and the upper reaches are better suited for rock climbers than a non-climber.

Tours available in/near Joshua Tree National Park

4-Hour Rappelling Adventure in Joshua Tree National Park - Joshua Tree offers some of the best rock-climbing in the National Parks System with over 9000 climbing routes! Routes include anything from beginners to pros, and their certified climbing guides will help you choose the route that best fits you. Guides also provide you with all the necessary gear and training, and all guides are Wilderness First Responders.

Private Vacation Photography Session with a Photographer in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park - A professional Flytographer will contact you after booking, and they will help you choose your preferred location. Your photographer can double as a guide, offering travel tips and recommendations. This private, personalized experience provides 15-60 high-resolution photographs (based on the package). We have used Flytographer in the past and had an AMAZING experience!

Joshua Tree National Park Offroad Tour - Do you want to go deep into the park away from the crowds and witness epic views of the Mojave Desert, Joshua Trees, and wild rock formations? If so, taking an offroad tour may be for you! Must be at least 6 years old and includes National Park Fees, bottled water, snacks, and a local guide.

campsite 33 Indian Cove Campground Joshua Tree National Park — campsite 33 Indian Cove Campground

Lodging at/near Joshua Tree National Park

There are no Joshua Tree National Park Lodges, cabins, or Yurts within the park. Here is an additional list of lodging options in Twentynine Palms, California.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Twentynine Palms - We have stayed at this hotel our last few visit to the park and it has been great. Free continental breakfast, shopping on site, and laundry facilities are just a few of the amenities provided at Fairfield Inn & Suites Twentynine Palms-Joshua Tree NP. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a 24-hour gym and a 24-hour business center.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Twentynine Palms - Consider a stay at Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Twentynine Palms, an IHG Hotel, and take advantage of a complimentary manager's reception, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour gym. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Free in-room Wi-Fi and a 24-hour business center are available to all guests.

Oasis Inn & Suites - A grocery/convenience store, a terrace, and a coffee shop/café are just a few of the amenities provided at Oasis Inn & Suites Joshua Tree - 29 Palms. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Enjoy the gym, as well as activities like hiking/biking. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as laundry facilities and a business center.

Hampton Inn & Suites Indio - provides amenities like free full breakfast and a gym. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

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