Complete Guide to White Tank Campground in Joshua Tree National Park

White Tank Campground is located in Joshua Tree National Park. Campers love this quiet 15-site small campground with incredible boulders.

White Tank Campground - Joshua Tree National Park

White Tank Campground in Joshua Tree National Park is located off Pinto Basin Road south of the park's north entrance station.

It is extremely hard to get a campsite here due to its popularity, and all campgrounds in Joshua Tree are usually full between September through May.

This campground is in one of the darkest parts of the park, making it an excellent spot for stargazing. It is also a first come, first served, and there are no reservations year-round. You will want to plan and get to the park as early as possible to secure a campsite.

White Tank Campground has no water, so please make sure you bring more than enough.

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.

White Tank Campground Map for Joshua Tree National Park in California — White Tank Campground Map Joshua Tree National Park

Campground Fees

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

Campground Reservations

Are Reservations Available? No, for first-serve campsites, visitors can locate an empty campsite, occupy the site, go to the registration area, and complete registration.
Phone Number? N/A
Online? N/A
How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? N/A
First-Come, First-Serve site available? Yes

Campsite 1 White Tank Campground in Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 1 White Tank Campground

White Tank Campground General Information

Season: White Tank Campground typically closes in the Summer.

Number of Sites: 15

Check-in Time:

Check-in time for first-come, first-serve is as soon as there is an available site. Check-in time for reservation campgrounds is after noon.

Check-out time: 12 pm (noon)

Phone Number: (760)367-5500

Campground Address:
White Tank Campground
Pinto Basin Road,
Twentynine, CA. 92277

Latitude/Longitude:
33.9848° N
116.0168° W

Elevation: 3,800

Accessible Sites: No, White Tank Campground has no ADA-accessible campsites. If you want to reserve an ADA-accessible campsite, please look into Jumbo Rocks Campground, site 122, and Black Rock Campground, site 61, which are ADA-accessible.

Campsite 2 White Tank Campground in Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 2 White Tank Campground

Campground Amenities

Potable Water? No
Bear Box in site/area? No
Flush Toilet Restrooms? No, Jumbo Rocks 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 3 White Tank Campground in Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 3 White Tank Campground

RV Camping at White Tank Campground

Hookups Available: There are no water or electric hookups available; this is a primitive campground.

RV Length: RVs and trailers may not exceed a combined maximum length of 25 feet

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

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.

There is a 30-day camping limit each year. Only 14 of these nights may take place from October-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 7 White Tank Campground in Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 7 White Tank 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 near White Tank Campground

Every sunrise and sunset will capture your imagination at Joshua Tree! Frequently, you can see brilliant reds and yellows covering the sky.
Explore the Joshua Tree Visitor Center & Cultural Center in Twentynine Palms. This beautiful new information center is near the park's North Entrance, with fantastic educational displays and a nice bookstore you will not want to miss!
Go for a hike on the .3-mile Arch Rock Nature Trail and learn about the geology of rock formations. For the adventurous, hike into the backcountry on the California Riding and Hiking Trail.
Continue further south and explore the Cholla Cactus Garden, a must for any visitor to Joshua Tree National Park!

Campsite 8 White Tank Campground in Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 8 White Tank Campground

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 9 White Tank Campground in Joshua Tree National Park — Campsite 9 White Tank 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.