Sheep Pass Group Campground

This is one of the three group campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park and is home to six group campsites. The campground is popular with boy scouts and other such groups seeing as each large site can accommodate up to 70 people. Keep in mind that there is no potable water (as is the case with most campgrounds in the park).

The great advantage of these sites is that they are available to be reserved and are close to some of the great climbing within the park as well as a host of different hiking trails. If you’re headed into the park with an eye on climbing during the high season, it offers significant peace of mind to snag one of these sites. Dogs are allowed at this campground, though they must be on a leash when outside your vehicle. RVs, on the other hand, are not allowed.

This site sits at the southern edge of the broader Lost Horse Valley just to the east of Hidden Valley Campground, and it is named for the pass that divides the Lost Horse Valley and the Queen Valley.

One of the most notable formations in the area is the prominent Saddle Rocks that are perched just below the summit of Ryan Mountain. It’s best accessed from Ryan Campground, but many groups default to Sheep Pass Campground for the peace of mind of having a reserved site. The Saddle Rocks crag features some of the longest climbs in the park and attracts a great number of climbers. And for good reason. Though it’s a bit sparse compared to other jam-packed crags in Joshua Tree National Park, it boasts several must-climb classics.