The Cottonwood Campground in Joshua Tree National Park in the southern portion of the park approximately 25 miles from Indigo, California. There are two loops of a campsite along with group camps. During the busy season from October through May, reservations are required at this campground.
The campground has running water and flush toilets nicely situated among the campground loops. One thing to know about this campground and most of the camping at Joshua Tree is there are cactus prominent in the campground. If you are camping with your kids or a pet please be careful and aware of where everyone is walking. Make sure and pack comfortable but durable shoes so your feet are protected.
We saw some great birds during our visit to the Cottonwood Campground along with a Desert Black-tailed Jackrabbit that moved way to quickly for a photo. We found ourselves driving the loops a few times looking at all of the birds that were in the bushes and cactuses.
Cottonwood Campground - Joshua Tree National Park
[mv_video doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement="false" doNotOptimizePlacement="false" jsonLd="true" key="hez2pzrhqne6wlfb6i4b" ratio="16:9" thumbnail="https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/video/upload/hez2pzrhqne6wlfb6i4b.jpg" title="Cottonwood Campground - Joshua Tree National Park" volume="70"]
Number of Sites: 62
Campsite Cost: $20
Reservations: Yes, busy season from October through May
Campground Address: Cottonwood Oasis Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Latitude/Longitude:
- Latitude:
- 33.75
- 33° 45' 0.0000" N
- Longitude:
- -115.825
- 115° 49' 30.0000" W
Elevation: 3000 feet
RV Length: RVs and trailers are allowed in sites if space permits.
A few sites can accommodate longer 35 feet RVs. These are sites 1A, 3A, 5A, 9A, 11A, 13A, 15A, 17A, 19A, 21A, 23A, 25A, 27A, 29A, 31A, 1B, 3B, 5B, 7B, 11B, 15B, 17B, 21B, 23B, 27B, 29B, and 31B.
Cottonwood Campground has RV-accessible potable water and dump stations
Accessible Sites:
The Cottonwood Amphitheater is ADA accessible from Loop A.
There are no ADA accessible campsites in the campground. If you are looking to reserve an ADA accessible campsites please look into Jumbo Rocks Campground, site 122 and Black Rock Campground, site 61 which are both ADA accessible.
Dump Station: Yes
Bear Boxes: No
Flush Toilets: Yes
Quiet Hours: 10 pm to 6 am.
Generators: 7-9 am, noon-2 pm, and 5-7 pm.
Pets Allowed: Yes, but they must be on a leash less than 6 feet long.
Amenities at each campsite: Fire ring and picnic table.
Firewood: You will need to bring your own firewood to the campground.
The maximum number of people in a campsite: A maximum of six people, three tents, and two vehicles may occupy an individual campsite.
The number of cars per campsite: two vehicles may occupy an individual campsite
Checkout time: 12 pm (Noon)
Campground Reservations
Are campground Reservations Available? Yes, busy season from October through May
Phone Number? 877-444-6777
Online? Reservation.gov
How Far Ahead can you make a reservation?
First Come, First Served?
Campground Amenities
Is wifi Available? No
Is cellular Phone Service Available? No
Is camp host available on site? Yes
Is firewood available for purchase? No, you must bring your own firewood.
Fire pit in the site? Yes
Picnic Table in the site? Yes
Bear Box in site/area? No
Potable Water? Yes
How to get to Cottonwood Campground
The Campground is near the Cottonwood Visitor Center in the southeast part of the park.
Take Interstate 10 to the Mecca/Twentynine Palms exit and follow signs to Joshua Tree National Park.
Important Dates for Campground
Campground Regulations
A maximum of six people, three tents, and two vehicles may occupy an individual campsite.
A vehicle towing a trailer, pop-up, tent trailer, or fifth wheel, or a motorhome towing a vehicle, is considered two vehicles.
Camping fees must be paid within one hour of selecting a campsite.
There is a 30-day camping limit each year. Only 14 of these nights may take place from October-May.
Generator use is permitted only from 7–9 am, noon–2 pm, and 5–7 pm.
Photos of Cottonwood Campground
Cottonwood Campground Map
Cottonwood Campground group site
Cactus are common in the Cottonwood Campground! Please be careful with kids and your pets!
We saw some fantastic birds along with a great Desert Black-tailed Jackrabbit that sadly moved too quickly for a photo.
Cottonwood Campground Site A12
Check out all of the Joshua Tree Camping options, there are 9 campgrounds to choose from.
Check out all of our Joshua Tree articles for more help in planning an epic trip!
Leave a Reply