Camping: September through May
Campgrounds usually fill on the weekends from October to May. In the springtime, and on all holidays, campgrounds usually fill up during the whole week. To improve your chances of getting a campsite and avoid disappointment, reserve a site or visit during the off-season (June to September).
Camping: June through August
Campgrounds, and sections of campgrounds, are subject to close during the summer. Family campsites, also known as individual campsites, are first-come, first-served. Group campsites are reservation only and can be reserved on recreation.gov. To make a payment select an unoccupied site and submit a payment using the envelopes and payment slot located in each campground.
Reservation CampingThe majority of the 500 campsites in the park are available by reservation only from September to May. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance, and can be booked on recreation.gov. Reserving a site is highly recommended if you are planning to camp on a holiday, a weekend, or anyday of the week in the spring. Our busy spring season runs from from February to May.
Reservations Required: September-May
First-Come, First-Serve CampingOur three smallest campgrounds are first-come, first-serve. If you show up to a first-come, first-serve campground and there is an open site, you can self-register and pay at the kiosk. The fee is $15 per night by cash or check only.
First-come, first-serve campsites are highly competitive on holidays, most weekends, and the springtime. They are full nearly every weekend from Sept-May and most weeknights during our busy spring season from mid-February to mid-May. On the weekends, they are typically full by Friday afternoon. The earlier you arrive in a week, the better chance you will have to secure a site.
Can't Find A Campsite?
The park has become an extremely popular destination in recent years. Due to this popularity, all park campgrounds are usually full on weekends October through May.
If you arrive too late to get a site in a designated campground, you have the following options:
Sleeping in your vehicle overnight along the roadside or at a roadside pull off is not allowed, and violators may be subject to a citation.
For more information, visit our Camping Outside of the Park page.
Group SitesThere are three areas that have group campsites: Cottonwood, Indian Cove, and Sheep Pass.
Black Rock and Ryan Campgrounds have designated horse camps. Ryan is closed in the summer months. See the horseback riding page for more information.
RegulationsVisit our Camping Regulations page to learn more about general rules, pets, quiet hours, and fires/firewood. Attaching lines to vegetation, including Joshua trees and junipers, is prohibited. Hammocks, slacklines, and other horizontal ropes must be tied to rocks and climbing bolts, and are not permitted in campgrounds.
Last updated: September 29, 2020