Complete guide to Ryan Campground in Joshua Tree National Park

Ryan Campground is a popular camping location located in Joshua Tree National Park. The park has gained popularity because of its large boulders and the unique shapes of the park's namesake, Joshua Trees.

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

Ryan Campground - Joshua Tree National Park

Ryan Campground is an extremely popular destination due to its proximity to several of the park's key features. The best-known stops include Skull Rock, Hidden Valley, and Keys View, known for its panoramic views of the Coachella Valley and where you can see the famous San Andreas Fault.

Ryan Campground Map

Campground Fees

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

Campground Reservations

Are Campground Reservations Available? Yes, reservations year-round.
Phone Number? (877)444-6777
On-line? Yes, click here to book your stay at Ryan Campground.
How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? Individual sites at Ryan 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 (the park's off-season) 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.

Ryan Campground General Information

Season: Open Year-round
Number of Sites: 31 individual campsites. There are four sites designated equestrian sites.
Check-out time: 12:00 PM (noon)
Campground Address: N/A
Latitude/Longitude: 33.9830° N, 116.1548° W
Elevation: 4,300
Accessible Sites: No, There are no ADA-accessible campsites in the Belle Campground. If you are looking to reserve ADA-accessible campsites, please look into Jumbo Rocks Campground, site 122, and Black Rock Campground, site 61, which are ADA-accessible.

Campsite 1 Ryan Campground Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 1 Ryan Campground

Campground Amenities

Potable Water: No
Bear Box in site/area? No
Flush Toilet Restrooms? No, Belle Campground only has Vault Toilets/Pit toilets
Laundry: No
Showers: No
Is Wi-Fi available? No
Is Cellular Service Available? No
Is there a camp host available on-site? No
Is firewood available for purchase? No
Amphitheater: No
Are fire pits/fire rings available at each site? Yes
Are Picnic Tables available at each site? Yes

Campsite 4 Ryan Campground Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 4 Ryan Campground

RV Camping at Belle Campground

Hookups Available: There are no water or electric hookups available; this is a primitive campground.
RV Length: Small RVs and trailers are allowed but length restrictions not to exceed 35 feet
Generators: Generator use is permitted only from 7-9 am, noon-2 pm, and 5-7 pm.
Dump Station: No

Campsite 6 Ryan Campground Joshua Tree National Park CA — Campsite 6 Ryan Campground

Ryan 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 than 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.

There is no overflow parking, and not all campsites accommodate two vehicles.

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

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

No slacklines in campgrounds.

Food must be stored securely where wildlife cannot get to it.

Campsite 13 Ryan Campground Joshua Tree National Park CA — Campsite 13 Ryan Campground in Joshua Tree National Park

Things to do and nearby attractions at Ryan 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!

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.

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.

Hiking trails - Some of the park's best known trails are nearby and include Skull Rock, Ryan Mountain, and Hidden Valley. The campground is also adjacent to the California Riding and Hiking Trail.

The Hall of Horrors is popular for both hikers and rock climbers with its steep rock formations and narrow slots.

Campsite 14 Ryan Campground Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 14 Ryan 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 15 Ryan Campground Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 15 Ryan 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.