Jumbo Rocks Campground

With 124 sites, Jumbo Rocks Campground is the largest campground in Joshua Tree National Park. Sites in this giant facility are stretched out over a mile of access road and seven loops. This campground is aptly named, as the rocks in this campground are phenomenal. Overnight guests and day use visitors can be seen scrambling on enormous rockpiles just a few feet from the campsites, and several trailheads are nearby for those looking for a more extensive hike. The Skull Rock Nature Trail, a 1.7-mile loop that is an excellent introduction to the local fauna in addition to some unique rock formations, leaves across from site 93, and the California Riding and Hiking Trail passes just south of the campground. You'll also be near the entrance to the Geology Tour Road, which is accessible to most passenger vehicles and takes about two hours.

Campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park are fairly straightforward affairs, and Jumbo Rocks Campground is no exception. There is no water here, so campers will definitely need to bring their own (plan on two gallons per person, per day, minimum). Water is available at the West Entrance and Indian Cove Ranger Station (no RV water access at either spot), Black Rock and Cottonwood campgrounds, and the Oasis Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms.

None of the campgrounds in the park have RV hookups, though Black Rock and Cottonwood have dump stations. Generators may be used from 7 to 9 a.m., 12 to 2 p.m., and 5 to 7 p.m. Many of the sites in Jumbo Rocks are very small or are very near to other sites, and the number of sites with a dedicated parking apron is relatively small.

Except during the busy season, all 124 sites here are first-come, first-served. Between October and May, reservations are required for campsites at Jumbo Rocks Campground and can be made up to 6 months in advance online at Recreation.gov. Jumbo Rocks Campground was designed with efficiency in mind, evidently: there are several sites that are literally a few feet away from each other with nothing to separate them but the invisible etiquette between campers. Cars share parking in the same pullouts for these sites, so these can be good choices if you are part of a larger group. On the other hand, you'll want to try to find smaller and more individually allocated sites if you are on your own. There are plenty of these to go around as well, however, and flexible visitors are sure to find something in Jumbo Rocks that feels like a good base. Tent campers will have the most flexibility. Sites come with picnic tables and fire rings, and vault toilets are centrally located throughout the campground. Leashed pets are allowed in the campground, but not on park trails, and this is no place to leave a pet unattended.