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!

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

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.

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

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.

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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

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.

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

Photo of a 2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass that featured a winning photograph taken by photographer Paulette Donnellon at Wuptaki National Monument of a Eastern Collard Lizard.

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.