Southern California’s shoulder seasons (Sept-Dec) & (Apr-Jun) are prime for desert camping. Mid-70’s in the day and chilly mid-40’s at night.
The Mojave desert at night is a shutterbug’s dream.
With cold, clear skies away from city lights, the stars in the night sky are a spectacle for astral photographers so don’t forget the camera.
Camp Details
(paid camping)
Inside of Joshua Tree National Park, there are 9 campgrounds, each with different availability and reservation requirements.
So depending on how ambitious our group is, there is always the chance to snag a “First Come” campsite that can accommodate all of the group.
Campsite rates range from:
$15/night for First Come sites.
$25/night for reserved sites.
$50/night for group sites.
- Belle Campground: Sites are first-come, first-served.
- Black Rock Campground: Sites are first-come, first-served. Sites 40-60 and 66-99 are closed from July 24–September 4, 2020.
- Cottonwood Campground: Loop B is closed. Loop A is open. Group campsites are limited to 25 people. Family sites are first-come, first-served and group campsites are reservation only.
- Hidden Valley Campground: Sites are first-come, first-served.
- Indian Cove Campground: Sites 1-39 are open. Sites 40-101 are closed July 24–September 4, 2020. Group campsites are limited to 25 people. Family sites are first-come, first-served and group campsites are reservation only.
- Jumbo Rocks Campground: Sites are first-come, first-served.
- Ryan Campground: Sites are first-come, first-served.
- Sheep Pass Campground: Group Campsites are limited to 25 people. Sites are available by reservation only.
- White Tank Campground: Sites are first-come, first-served.
Getting to Joshua Tree
because there’s more than one entrance into the National Park, one of the best places to meet a group before heading into the park is at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center.
The address is: 6554 Park Blvd
Be sure to plug in the address (or Joshua Tree Visitor Center) into Google Maps or Waze and follow the directions.
a Google Map is provided below.
It’s easily found right off Highway 62 and Park Blvd.
Directly across the street from the Joshua Tree Saloon.
Also, there’s plenty of services nearby to stock up on any last minute camping provisions.
Camp Details
(free camping on BLM land)
During the peak season, it will be difficult to find an available campsite, especially on the weekends.
This free, car-camping option on wide-open BLM land near Twentynine Palms on the northern side of Joshua Tree National Park offers a guaranteed free camping spot for as many nights as you like .
There’s a few things to consider with this option, like there’s no facilities out there, so we will need to bring all our provisions, but we are not more than 15 minutes away from town where we can pick up supplies.
I’ve listed some pro’s and cons below:
Pros:
- Parking and camping is free on BLM land.
- Stay as many nights as you like.
- Tents, trailers, RV’s, all good.
- You get to pick your spot.
- Full cell service.
- Dogs allowed.
Cons:
- No facilities, no restrooms.
- No water.
- Can get dusty during windy weather.
- There could be rowdy groups.
- It’s open range and sheep graze freely in the morning.
Getting to the BLM Land
The address is: 66097 2 Mile Rd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Be sure to plug in the address (or NJoshuaTreeBLM) into Google Maps or Waze and follow the directions.
a Google Map is provided below.
These are dirt roads, unmaintained, and can get muddy during rain storms.
Also a good idea to bring ear plugs for sleeping, the free-range sheep in the morning can get loud.
If you’re not one for camping in the desert, but want to join in of the day and evening activities, there’s a good selection of hotels and motels 15 minutes away, along highway 62 either in the town of Twentynine Palms, or in the Town of Joshua Tree.
Activities
(Daytime)
During the day, we will be hiking some of the parks geology trails and scrambling monzonite crags. Well-fitting shoes or boots with good grip recommended.
For the climbers, we will be holding some introductory climbing clinics, covering rope basics, climbing technique and safety.
Depending on the group, we will be climbing grades from 5.6 to 5.10b.
Activities
(Night)
Nighttime in camp, we’ll have a camp fire going with a 90% chance of s’mores and a 20% chance of shooting stars.
We’ll also have a tripod or two set up for catching some pictures of the Milky Way as the half-moon is scheduled to set at midnight.
The Mojave desert at night is a shutterbug’s dream.
With cold, clear skies away from city lights, the stars in the night sky are a spectacle for astral photographers.
Don’t forget the camera.
Because we are still living through a pandemic, and these outdoors activities are relatively safe, there will be the moments of close contact with others and we will continue to use our best practices in keeping safe by wearing a mask around others.
For a review on keeping safe around others while participating in group outdoors activities, check my blog post below "Trekking During Covid"
Some things to consider:
Water:
– 3 liters per person/day min
– There are water taps to refill at all the Park entrances.
Ice:
– Always a good idea to bring a cooler with ice for keeping cold drinks, but also storing insulin in the daytime heat.
-Ice is readily available in town.
Camera:
Any kind of camera will do (SLR, iPhone, Polaroid)
Headlamp:
Or hand-held flashlight
(with good batteries)
Footwear:
– Trail Runners (PERFECT)
– Approach shoes for climbing/scrambling.
– Road Running shoes (GREAT)
– Hiking Boots (OK but MAY BE OVERKILL)
– Flip flops not recommended because of the cactus thorns on the ground.
Exposure Protection:
– Hat (cap will be fine)
– Chapstick or Carmex
– Buff / Bandanna (optional)
– Sunglasses
– Beanie (it gets cold at night)
– Gloves
– Poncho (winter)
– Wind shell (winter)
– Long sleeve mid-layer (winter)
– Down puffy (winter)
Trail Glucose:
(Yes! desert activities will burn your blood sugar)
– Trail treats… Things that can fit in your pockets but won’t melt
– Light snack (like an apple or trail mix)
– Energy Gels
– Starburst
– Glucose Tabs
Clothing:
-In spring and autumn: Bring an extra layer, it gets a little chilly after sunset.
-In summer: Shorts and t-shirt are fine.
In winter, extra thermal layers might be needed.
(see suggestions below)
– Sports shirt (moisture wicking) … you might get sweaty even in the winter.
– Hiking pants (year round)
– Shorts are fine in summer.
– Alpine shell (only in winter)
Trekking Poles:
– Not necessary
T1D items:
– Backup Glucose meter + strips
– CGM (optional)
– Backup insulin (Frio or keep in the camp cooler)
– Pocket glucose (non-melting)
Other Stuff:
LNT & Minimal Impact Practices:
We will be visitors in a protected natural ecosystem, so we will practice Minimal Impact Principles.
Whatever we pack in, we will be packing out.
Feel free to bring an extra ZipLoc bag for collecting litter.
Leave rocks, trees, wildlife undisturbed.
Just in Case:
At least 1 person in the party will carry:
– First Aid Kit
– Blister Treatment
– Phone
– Map
– Headlamps
– Emergency blanket
– Emergency glucose
For more info or questions: email:
info@typeoneoutdoors.com
