Cottonwood Campground
33.7449, -115.8128 · Park boundary: National Park Service
The Cottonwood Campground is reservation only and has 62 sites, potable water and flush toilets. The Campground is near the Cottonwood Visitor Center in the southeast part of the park. The closest metropolitan area is Indio about 30 miles away. Cottonwood Campground fees will increase to $35 per site starting January 1, 2025. Cottonwood Group Campground fees will increase to $55 per site starting January 1, 2025.
- Every day
- All Day
Campgrounds are open 24 hours a day. Check in and check out are at noon. Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am. In the summer, Loop B typically closes and Loop A usually becomes first-come, first-served.
- Partial Summer Closure · Jun 1, 2026 – Aug 28, 2026 · Every day All Day
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Individual Campsite Fee. A maximum of six people, three tents, and two cars may occupy an individual campsite, only if there is space available. Some sites only have enough parking for one vehicle.
There are three group campsites. Tents only. RVs and habitable trailers prohibited.
Nightly camping fee for one site for a camper with a Senior or Access pass. A maximum of six people, three tents, and two cars may occupy an individual campsite, only if there is space available. Some sites only have enough parking for one vehicle.
Nightly camping fee for one site for a camper with a Senior or Access pass. There are three group campsites. Tents only. RVs and habitable trailers prohibited.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Reservations are required year-round and can be made up to six months in advance. Book a site at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.
- Amphitheater
- Yes - year round
- Drinking water
- Yes - year round
- Dump station
- Yes - year round
- Toilets
- Flush Toilets - year round
- Trash & recycling
- Yes - year round
- Camp store
- No
- Cell reception
- No
- Firewood for sale
- No
- Food storage lockers
- No
- Host on site
- No
- Ice for sale
- No
- Internet
- No
- Laundry
- No
- Showers
- None
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
- RVs
- Allowed · up to 35 ft
- Trailers
- Allowed · up to 35 ft
- Access roads
- Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
- Classification
- Developed Campground
Most campsites have uneven terrain. Many roads are unpaved. The paved roads are crumbling and uneven. The Cottonwood Visitor Center has ADA access and the parking lot is well paved and flat. There is a wheelchair accessible restroom.
The Cottonwood Amphitheater is ADA accessible from Loop A. There are no ADA accessible campsites in the campground. Campgrounds with ADA accessible campsites include Indian Cove (site 1), Jumbo Rocks (site 122), and Black Rock (site 61).
Because of the park's very dry climate, fire danger in Joshua Tree is almost always very high. Be cautious. Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings or grills that are found in park campgrounds or picnic areas. Keep fires small. Bring your own firewood. You may not gather park vegetation, whether living or dead, to fuel your campfire. If you plan to have a campfire, bring extra water to douse it thoroughly.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Cottonwood Campground is near the South Entrance near Cottonwood Spring. There is an access point along Interstate 10, 25 miles east of Indio. The Campground is off of Pinto Basin Road, next to The Cottonwood Visitor Center.
Days are typically clear with less than 25% humidity. At 3,000 ft, Cottonwood is lower in elevation than other campgrounds and is usually 5-10 degrees warmer than the northern part of the park. The day time temperature is often over 100°F (38°C) in summer and around 60°F (15°C) in winter. Temperatures can drop below freezing during the winter. Weather can change quickly. Check a weather forecast before camping.
Each site is varied on size and parking. Ensure you know the specifications of your campsite on recreation.gov before purchasing your permit. A vehicle towing a trailer, popup, tent trailer, or fifth wheel, or a motorhome towing a vehicle, is considered two vehicles. Camping fees must be paid within one hour of selecting a campsite. Check in and check out are at noon. There is a 30-day camping limit each year. Only 14 of these nights may take place from October-May. All tents, tarps, and other camping equipment must be set up within 25 feet (7.6 m) of the picnic table or fire grate. Food must be stored securely where wildlife cannot get to it. Any scented or odorous items, including sunscreen and toiletries, must be secured as if they were food. Campsites left vacant for 24 hours will be treated as vacant. Holding or reserving campsites for persons not present is not allowed. Pets must remain on leash at all times and may not be left unattended. No slacklines in campgrounds.
Cottonwood Campground is a desert campground in a large open area with mountains in the distance. The campground is made up of a main paved road going past three group campsites followed by two loops with regular camping spots to accommodate tents and RVs. Each camping spot has a paved parking area, picnic table, fire pit, and campsite marker. The ground is hard and rocky. Throughout the campground there are many many shrubs and a few scattered small trees. Scattered around the campground you can find trash and recycling cans, bathrooms, and a couple of trailheads.
Drive to Cottonwood Campground
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