By:
Submission
Indian Cove Campground in Joshua Tree National Park lies amid the huge, steep rock formations for which Joshua Tree National Park is known. Because of its proximity to many rock climbing routes, it is a popular camping location for climbers. Indian Cove is one of four campgrounds in the park that can be reserved during the busy winter season; it is open on a first-come, first-served basis from June 10 through August 30. Travelers who enjoy warm, dry winters flock to Joshua Tree from October through May, when temperatures hover between 70-90 degrees during the day and drop to a 40-60 degree range at night. Summer is the park's off-season due to the uncomfortably-high desert heat. Indian Cove is at an elevation of 3,200 feet. Recreation Rock climbers flock to Indian Cove Campground for the variety of routes and warmer temperatures that can be found in the interior of the park. Several hiking trails also leave from the campground. There is a short interpretive nature trail and plenty of rocks for the non-climber to explore within the facility. Clear desert skies are perfect for star-gazing. Facilities This large facility has 91 individual campsites, as well as 13 tent-only group sites. There are no hookups or drinking water in the campground, however water and an emergency phone are available two miles away at the ranger station. The town of Twentynine Palms is less than 10 miles away and provides basic amenities. The park allows six people and two vehicles per site, however, some sites are small and may not accommodate the maximum number of people and vehicles. See Site Details for specifics. Natural Features Campsites are nestled on a flat, sandy surface between large boulders that tower in unique shapes over the campground and rise up from the otherwise uniform desert landscape. The rocks were formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago and have been exposed and shaped by wind and water over time. They brighten with soft pastel hues during the morning and evening sunlight and glow with campfire light by night. Visitors may want to keep their eyes out for typical desert inhabitants such as lizards, rattlesnakes, scorpions, ravens, squirrels and desert tarantulas during the cooler months of the year. Bobcats and mountain lions do live in the park, however they are rarely seen near humans. ADA Access: N
Take Interstate 10 to State Highway 62. Turn south on Indian Cove Road. Follow the road into the campground. If coming from the east, follow Highway 62 approximately seven miles west of the city of Twentynine Palms and turn south onto Indian Cove Road.
Stayed at a group site with friends. Clean pit toilets right on site. Nice and large fire pit. Conveniently close to a ton of climbing routes but still close to town. Right up against the rocks. Loved it.
The scenery is amazing, bathrooms well taken care of. Not a big fan of campground design with the loop and the size is always the same area as other campgrounds even though they could make it bigger, must be a government place. Wasn't prepared to walk 100 yards to out campsite where we were glamping so we brought a ridiculous amount of stuff. I don't think 98, 99, 100, 101 have even a square foot of level ground, our tent is big, super crooked. Even a single person dome wouldn't be able to be level. Weird. Sites are nice but some way too close together, good if the neighbor is friends or family. No shade at all, bring a canopy or something, even in winter. Stake it down, it gets windy.
This CAMPGROUND is part of Joshua Tree National Park. The campground has no amenities other than pit toilets and dumpsters. It has lovely level campsites tucked back in between humongous boulders. Campsites each have a picnic table and fire pit. Each group of 5-8 campsites gets a vault toilet and dumpster. No hook ups, no water, no playground. There’s a short nature trail and opportunities for simple rock climbing. Cell service is very minimal in most of the campground however I got 3 bars of Verizon service by walking towards the nature trail.
This campground is very convenient to the sizable town of Twenty Nine Palm which has all the restaurants and stores.
It was a great campsite. The scenery was especially fantastic. But there is no water source. Please bring enough water. The ground has lots of sand and rocks. You can get a clean tarp when you are leaving ;) There is no signal for Verizon pixel 6 but I heard someone who has Verizon galaxy can get a signal there.
