Joshua Tree National Park
WIDE-RANGING INVENTORY
From affordable pop-ups to luxury motorhomesLARGEST RV RENTAL MARKETPLACE
Thousands of 5 star reviews from happy customersSECURE AND MOST TRUSTED
24/7 Emergency roadside assistance on every booking- Home
- National Parks
- Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is filled with amazing photo ops, from Arch Rock and Skull Rock to the fields of beautiful Joshua trees. Spring is the most popular time of year to visit as as the local wildflowers will be in bloom and the weather is mild. However, this 800,000-acre protected area within the deserts of Southern California is open and easily accessible throughout the year. Some big cities nearby that would be a good starting point for your RV rental road trip are Palm Springs, CA, Riverside, CA, and Las Vegas, NV.
While the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center Hours is open 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily, the entrances are open 24/7 for campers. There are three entrances to the park: north, south, and west. The easiest of the three to access is the north entrance, which is in Twentynine Palms. The south and west entrances are along Interstate 10 and CA-62, respectively. The National Park Service website will give you the latest information on any road closures to help when you're RVing to Joshua Tree National Park.
Keep in mind that most campgrounds in the park have a limit of 25 feet max for camper trailers (although, Belle campground has spots that can accommodate up to 35 feet). If you’re coming during the weekend or a holiday, try to arrive early in the morning or late the night before as there is limited parking. The area in and around Palm Springs/Indio gets especially busy during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, held in April.
- Spring 73-86 F
- Summer 97-103 F
- Fall 85-93 F
- Winter 63-72 F
- Coming soon
- Joshua Tree National Park Private Vehicle: $30
- Joshua Tree National Park Motorcycle: $25
- Joshua Tree National Park Per Person: $15
- Joshua Tree National Park Annual Pass: $55
RV Rentals Near Joshua Tree National Park
Nearby RV Rentals
Joshua Tree National Park Hiking Trails
Joshua Tree National Park has 136 well-traveled hiking trails available to humans (no pets allowed). When hiking in the desert terrain, bring two gallons of water per person for every hour you plan to hike. The sun can be merciless, so everyone should have wide-brimmed hats, dark sunglasses, loose clothing, and sunblock. Since RV-sized parking near the trails is limited, consider using the NPS shuttle bus to get to the trailheads.
Trails
Things to do Outside Joshua Tree National Park
The towns near Joshua Tree National Park offer both relaxing fun and exciting nightlife. There's even an "out-of-the-way" bar with a tiny stage that features notable musicians and groups.
Restaurants
Shopping
Sightseeing
Discover Nearby Towns and Cities
RV Resorts & Campsites near Joshua Tree National Park
There are five reservation-only campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park, and all of them fill up very quickly. You can make reservations up to six months in advance. The fee for these campgrounds range from $20-$25 a night. Remember that none of those campgrounds near Joshua Tree National Park provide hookups, but they do have fire rings and picnic tables. The Bureau of Land Management Campground at Copper Mountain is just up the road 14 miles to the west.
Campgrounds Near Joshua Tree National Park
Find the Best Dumpstations Near Joshua Tree National Park
Dumpstations Near Joshua Tree National Park
How to get to Joshua Tree National Park
To enter the park via the west entrance from Riverside through the town of Joshua Tree, head east on Interstate 10 and exit at CA-62. Take CA-62 to Joshua Tree and turn right on Park Boulevard. Drive for 5 miles until you reach the park's entrance.
Keep in mind that the west entrance is the most popular and can be especially busy from October through May. The region gets especially busy during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which is held in nearby Indio every April. If you’re coming from the east, such as Las Vegas, consider entering via the north Twentynine Palms entrance, which is also on CA-62 but 14 miles to the east of the Joshua Tree entrance.
Driving to Joshua Tree National Park from Los Angeles can take anywhere from two hours, 45 minutes to three hours, 30 minutes, depending on the route and traffic conditions. From Los Angeles, take Interstate 10 east until the junction with Cottonwood Springs Rd. At the exit, turn left to head north on Cottonwood Springs Rd. You will enter the park's southern entrance via this route. This is also the best entrance if you’re coming from the Indio/Palm Springs airport, which is the closest airport to the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Joshua Tree National Park is 1,242 square miles, or 795,156 acres. The park includes parts of two deserts - the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert.
It is not required that you reserve a camping spot at Joshua Tree National Park, but it is highly recommended. You can make reservations at Black Rock, Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks, and Ryan Campgrounds. The Belle, Hidden Valley, and White Tank Campgrounds are all first-come, first served.
Yes, pets are allowed at Joshua Tree National Park. Pets are not allowed on hiking trails, in the backcountry, or in park buildings. However, there are many unpaved roads where pets can walk. Joshua Tree can get very hot, so bring plenty of water and be aware of how hot the surfaces are that your pet is walking on.
Top things to do at Joshua Tree National Park include hiking the Hidden Valley Nature Trail, checking out Keys View, and visiting the Cholla Cactus Garden. There are many other trails for hiking in the park, as well as off-road trails, rock climbing, and other outdoor activities.
The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is between March and May, or October to November. Joshua Tree is open year-round, but the summer temperatures can be scorching, and spring and fall have the most pleasant weather.
Related
Mineral Point, Missouri RV Rental Deals Strawberry Point, Iowa RV Rental Deals Carbon, Indiana RV Rental Deals Barwick, Georgia RV Rental Deals Kapp Heights, Pennsylvania RV Rental Deals Churchtown, Pennsylvania RV Rental Deals Colt, Arkansas RV Rentals Mecca, Indiana RV Rental Deals Ecorse, Michigan RV Rental Deals Alluwe, Oklahoma RV Rentals Starbrick, Pennsylvania RV Rental Deals Gray, Kentucky RV Rental Deals Bush, Kentucky RV Rental Deals Robersonville, North Carolina RV Rental Deals