Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood coverageVerified by 0 campers
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Ryan Campground
Joshua Tree National Park, California
About this campground
Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more!
This small facility has 31 individual tent and limited RV campsites.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 33.983140° N
- Longitude
- 116.154510° W
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.
Access
- Drive-in
- Hike-in
- Walk-inPublished approach distance: 35 ft
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Standard campsites
- Equestrian sitesCommunity report
- Group sitesCommunity report
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- Picnic table
- Fires
- Alcohol allowedCommunity report
- Trash serviceCommunity report
- Reservable
For vehicles
- Parking
- Big rig friendlyCommunity report
- Parallel parking sitesCommunity 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.
Overview
Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more!
Ryan Campground lies amid the huge, steep rock formations for which Joshua Tree National Park is known. In close proximity to many boulders and rock formations, it is a popular camping location for families with kids. Ryan Campground 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. Ryan is at an elevation around 4,400 feet.
Facilities
This small facility has 31 individual tent and limited RV campsites. There are no hookups or drinking water in the campground, however the town of Twentynine Palms is 17 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
Several hiking trails also leave from the campground. There are plenty of rocks and Ryan Mountain to explore outside the facility. Clear desert skies are perfect for star-gazing.
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 low 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
Cap Rock, Ryan Mountain, and Hidden Valley
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Camping
- Hiking
- Scenic Drive
- Rock Climbing
- Wildlife Viewing
Amenities and facility features
- Toilets
- Potable water
- Parking Area
- Trailheads
- Vault Toilets
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
20 sites- Equipment
- Car, Caravan/Camper Van, Pickup Camper, RV, Small Tent, Tent, Trailer, Vehicle
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 32 ft
- Check-in
- 12:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Tent Only Non-Electric
10 sites- Equipment
- Car, Large Tent Over 9x12`, Pickup Camper, Small Tent, Tent, Vehicle
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 26 ft
- Check-in
- 12:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Management
7 sites- Equipment
- Car, Large Tent Over 9x12`, Pickup Camper, Small Tent, Tent, Trailer, Vehicle
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- 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
- Maximum stay
- 14 consecutive nights
- Max Simultaneous Reservations
- 3 reservations
- Max Stay
- 30 nights
- Max Transaction Reservations
- 3 reservations per transaction
- Reservation cutoff
- 0 days before arrival
- Sliding Window
- 4 past the reservation window
- Maximum published occupancy
- 6 people per site
- Maximum published vehicles
- 2 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 12:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Food storage
- Ryan 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
- Ryan 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
- Oct 18, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonJan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJan 1, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJan 1, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJan 1, 2028 – Dec 31, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJan 1, 2028 – Dec 31, 2028 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
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!
- 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.
- Please call 760-367-5554 for information.
- The park allows six people, two vehicles and three tents 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.
- $30 per vehicle entrance fee is in addition to camping fee. Passes can be purchased ahead of time here.
- Generator use is permitted only from 7–9 am, noon–2 pm, and 5–7 pm.
- Cancelling a Reservation: Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation. Late Cancellation Fees: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
- 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.
- 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
Driving Directions Take Interstate 10 to State Highway 62. Turn south on Park Blvd. Continue 5 miles to the West Entrance; Ryan is approximately 11 miles from the entrance. If coming from the east, taking Interstate10, take the Desert Center exit north onto State Highway 177. Continue on State Highway 177 turning west onto State Highway 62 to Twentynine Palms. Turn south on Utah Trail. Continue 3.5 miles to the North Entrance. Ryan is approximately 13 miles from the entrance.
Facility contact
760-367-5554