Ryan Campground
33.9831, -116.1544 · Park boundary: National Park Service
Ryan Campground has 31 campsites. All campsites are reservation only. The campground is centrally located in the park and is adjacent to the California Riding and Hiking Trail. There are 4 designated equestrian sites and reservations are required. For more equestrian campsites, see Black Rock Campground. There is no water available at Ryan Campground. There are 3 bicycle sites available at $5 per night, with no more than 3 tents and 3 people per campsite.
- Every day
- All Day
Ryan campground is open year-round and is reservable through recreation.gov.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
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.
Reservations are required for horse campsites. There are 4 horse sites available.
Sites 32A, 32B and 32C are for bicyclist, first-come, first-served. Three people max and no parking for support vehicles.
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. Reservations are required for horse campsites. There are 4 horse sites available
Nightly camping fee for one site for a camper with a Senior or Access pass. Sites 32A, 32B and 32C are for bicyclist, first-come, first-served. They are $5 per person, per night. Three people max and no parking for support vehicles.
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.
- Toilets
- Vault Toilets - year round
- Trash & recycling
- Yes - year round
- Amphitheater
- No
- Camp store
- No
- Cell reception
- No
- Drinking water
- No water
- Dump station
- 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
- Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
- Classification
- Limited Development Campground
Ryan Campground has unpaved roads and campsites. There is a wheelchair accessible restroom.
There are no ADA accessible campsites at Ryan 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.
Equestrian use is allowed with restrictions in Joshua Tree National Park. Stock use is limited to horses and mules and is restricted to designated equestrian trails and corridors, open dirt roads, and shoulders of paved roads. Riders should travel single file to reduce damage to soil and vegetation. Stock animals are not permitted within 1/4 mile of any natural or constructed water source. Horses and other stock are not permitted on nature trails, in the Wonderland of Rocks, in campgrounds, in picnic areas, or at any visitor centers. a permit is required to camp with stock in the backcountry; call 760-367-5545. Equestrian trail maps are available at visitor centers. http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/horseback-riding.htm
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Ryan Campground is centrally located along Park Boulevard. The campground is 17 miles from the town of Joshua Tree and 18 miles from Twentynine Palms.
Days are typically clear with less than 25% humidity. Temperatures are most comfortable in the spring and fall, with an average high/low of 85 and 50°F (29 and 10°C) respectively. Winter brings cooler days, around 60°F (15°C), and freezing nights. It occasionally snows at higher elevations. Summers are hot, over 100°F (38°C) during the day and may cool to around 75°F (24°C) at night. Weather can change quickly. Check a weather forecast before camping.
There are restrictions to equestrian use in Joshua Tree National Park. Before visiting with stock familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/horseback-riding.htm. Also familiarize yourself with camping rules and regulations. The full list can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm. A partial list is below: Each site is varied on size and parking. Ensure you know the specifications of your campsite on recreation.gov before buying your permit. 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 of the picnic table. Food must be stored securely where wildlife cannot get to it. 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.
Ryan Campground is a desert campground nestled among rocky outcrops and mountains. The campground is has a dirt road with a main loop for regular camping spots to accommodate tents and RVs as well as a small side loop for horse campsites. Each camping spot has a dirt parking area, picnic table, fire pit, and campsite marker. The ground is hard and rocky. Throughout the campground there are many Joshua trees, small trees, and shrubs. Scattered around the campground you can find trash and recycling cans, bathrooms, and a couple of trailheads.
Drive to Ryan Campground
Byway plans the scenic way in — real places, real weather, every stop verified. Zero hallucinations. Google Maps for turns. Byway for soul.