Kampilo

Campground

INDIAN COVE CAMPGROUND

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Official reservation page

About this campground

Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more!

This large facility has 101 individual campsites, as well as 13 tent-only group sites .

Map

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Latitude
34.120000° N
Longitude
116.155833° W
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Know before you arrive

Access, sites & campground features

Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.

Connectivity

  • T-Mobile5GExcellent coverageVerified by 2 campers · Oct 18, 2026
  • Verizon5GExcellent coverageVerified by 4 campers · Apr 4, 2026
  • AT&T5GExcellent coverageVerified by 2 campers · Feb 15, 2026

Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.

Access

  • Hike-in
  • Walk-inPublished approach distance: 66 ft
  • Drive-in

Site types

  • Tent sites
  • RV / trailer sites
  • Standard campsites
  • Group sitesCommunity report

Features

For campers

  • Drinking water
  • Trash service
  • Amphitheater
  • Picnic table
  • Fires
  • ADA access
  • Alcohol allowedCommunity report
  • ToiletsCommunity report
  • Reservable

For vehicles

  • Parking
  • Back-in sitesCommunity report
  • Parallel parking sitesCommunity report
  • Water hookupsCommunity report

Official campground guide

Plan with the full campground details

Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.

Open official source

Overview

Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more!

Indian Cove Campground 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 requires reservations year-round. To get the most out of your visit Plan Like a Park Ranger

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.

Facilities

This large facility has 101 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.

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 and night photography.

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.

Nearby Attractions

Not separately published

Recreation.gov does not publish a separate nearby attractions section for this campground.

Activities & amenities

What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.

Available activities

  • Day Use Area
  • Picnicking
  • Hiking
  • Camping
  • Backpacking
  • Evening Programs
  • Rock Climbing
  • Ranger Station

Amenities and facility features

  • Potable water
  • Trash service
  • Pets allowedFollow the park's current restrictions
  • Amphitheater
  • Drinking Water
  • Emergency Phone
  • Hiking
  • Parking Area
  • Ranger Station
  • Recycling
  • Trash Collection

Recreation sites

Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.

Standard Non-Electric

52 sites
Reservation type
Site-Specific
Equipment
Caravan/Camper Van, Fifth Wheel, Large Tent Over 9x12`, Pickup Camper, Pop Up, RV, Small Tent, Tent, Trailer
Maximum people
6
Maximum vehicles
2
Maximum vehicle length
35 ft
Check-in
12:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Accessible sites
1 flagged accessible

Tent Only Non-Electric

45 sites
Reservation type
Site-Specific
Equipment
Large Tent Over 9x12`, Small Tent, Tent
Maximum people
6
Maximum vehicles
2
Maximum vehicle length
0 ft
Check-in
12:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Accessible sites
None flagged in site inventory

Management

17 sites
Reservation type
Site-Specific
Equipment
Caravan/Camper Van, Pickup Camper, RV, Small Tent, Tent, Trailer, Vehicle
Maximum people
25
Maximum vehicles
18
Maximum vehicle length
25 ft
Check-in
12:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Accessible sites
None flagged in site inventory

Site rules, inventory & rates

Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.

Site rules

Allow Mid Stay Modification
1
Group Reservation Window
6 Months
Maximum stay
14 consecutive nights
Max Simultaneous Reservations
3 reservations
Max Stay
30 nights
Max Transaction Reservations
3
Reservation cutoff
0 days before arrival
Sliding Window
4 past the reservation window
Maximum published occupancy
25 people per site
Maximum published vehicles
18 vehicles per site
Check-in
12:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Food storage
INDIAN COVE CAMPGROUND's official facility record does not publish a campground-specific food-storage method; follow the current posted Joshua Tree National Park rule.
Fire and stove use
The current official campground record does not publish a campground-specific fire or stove rule. Check current posted restrictions before using any flame.
Pets
INDIAN COVE CAMPGROUND's official facility record does not publish a campground-specific pet allowance; verify the current Joshua Tree National Park pet boundary before arrival.

Inventory window

Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.

Currently bookable through
Apr 18, 2027
Next release
Oct 19, 2026, 7:00 AM PDT
Next book-through date
Apr 19, 2027
Group sites bookable through
Apr 18, 2027

Published seasons & rates

SeasonSite typeNightly rateAdditional personDeposit
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric$55——
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric$55——
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric$55——
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026Standard Non-Electric$35——
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026Tent Only Non-Electric$35——
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric$55——
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric$55——
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric$55——
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027Standard Non-Electric$35——
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027Tent Only Non-Electric$35——
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2028 – Dec 31, 2028Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric$55——
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2028 – Dec 31, 2028Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric$55——
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2028 – Dec 31, 2028Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric$55——
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2028 – Dec 31, 2028Standard Non-Electric$35——
Peak SeasonJan 1, 2028 – Dec 31, 2028Tent Only Non-Electric$35——

Important facility notices

Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.

  • Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more!
  • Please call 760-362-4367 for Indian Cove information.
  • Reservations are required year round and can be made the same day or up to 6 months in advance.
  • No-Shows Overnight Facilities: A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out (noon) time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time (noon) on the day following the arrival date.  No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night’s recreation fee for a campsite.  *Note: the entire reservation will be cancelled for no-shows.
  • The park allows six people, two vehicles and three vehicles per site, however, some sites are small and may not accommodate the maximum number of people and vehicles. See Site Details for specifics. There is no overflow parking. Trailers count as a vehicle.
  • There is no access into the main portion of the park from the campground except by hiking trails; $30 per vehicle entrance fee is in addition to the camping fee.
  • There are no electric, water or sewer hook-ups available at individual campsites; nor is a dump station located nearby. Potable water is available at the Ranger Station, about 2 miles from the campground.
  • Generator use is permitted only from 7–9 am, noon–2 pm, and 5–7 pm.
  • Pets are not allowed on trails but are welcome in the campground, on any dirt road or within 100 feet of any road. Pets must be on a leash no more than 6 feet long at all times. Pets may not be left unattended or tied to an object; leaving pets in unattended vehicles is strongly discouraged – especially on warm days.
  • Don’t Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near the park and burning it on-site, and do not use park vegetation, living or dead, for fuel.
  • All organized events require a special use permit and must be held in designated areas; contact the Special Park Use Coordinator, jotr_permit_office@nps.gov.
  • STOP THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES. Remove plants, seeds, animals, and mud from boots, gear, pets, and vehicles. Clean your gear before entering and leaving the recreation site. Stay on designated roads and trails, and follow local guidelines for firewood. For more information visit the National Invasive Species Information Center.
  • FIRE BAN: Fire restrictions are in effect from June 1 through October 1 each year . During this period, all wood-burning fires, charcoal fires, and charcoal grills are prohibited . No fires are allowed. Only gas or propane stoves may be used.

Getting there & contact

Official directions

Take Interstate 10 to State Highway 62. Go past the West Entrance at Park Boulevard and continue east another 9.3 miles. 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.

Facility contact

760-367-5554

Sources

Recreation.gov — INDIAN COVE CAMPGROUNDRecreation.gov — INDIAN COVE CAMPGROUND — dog policyRecreation.gov — INDIAN COVE CAMPGROUNDINDIAN COVE CAMPGROUND official facility detailsRecreation.gov — INDIAN COVE CAMPGROUND — food-storage guidanceThe Dyrt community reports — Indian Cove Campground — Joshua Tree National ParkRecreation.gov campground details APIRecreation.gov published seasons and ratesRecreation.gov booking-window release dataRecreation.gov recreation-site inventory