Cottonwood - CA
Cottonwood Campground (CA)
COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Pull Through Site Pull Through Site
Restrooms Restrooms

Available sites

59 total sites

About Cottonwood Campground (CA)

Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more! Cottonwood Campground is one of the best places in Joshua Tree National Park for stargazing and wildflower viewing. Easy access from Interstate 10, makes it a popular stopover for travelers. To get the most out of your visit Plan Like a Park Ranger  Visitors who enjoy warm, dry winters flock to Joshua Tree from October through May, when temperatures reach between 70 to 90-degrees during the day and drop to 40 to 60-degrees at night. Summer is the park's off-season due to the uncomfortably high desert heat; however, reservations are required year-round. Cottonwood Campground is at an elevation of 3 ft. and has little shade from vegetation.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Pet friendly Pet friendly
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Pull Through Site Pull Through Site
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Site Setup and Access

Site Setup and Access

  • Pull Through Site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • Fire Pit
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

59 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 A01, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 A02, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A03, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 A04, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A05, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 A06, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A07, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
⛺ A08, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 A09, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 A10, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ A11, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ A12, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ A14, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 A15, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 A16, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A17, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 A18, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A19, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 A20, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A21, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 A23, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 A24, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A25, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 A26, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A27, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 A28, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A29, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 A30, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 A31, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 B01, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 B02, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B03, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 B04, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B05, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 B06, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B07, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 B08, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B09, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 B10, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ B11, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 B12, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ B13, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 B14, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B15, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 B16, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B17, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 B18, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B19, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 B20, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B22, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B23, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 B24, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B25, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 B26, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B27, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 B28, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B29, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 B30, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 B31, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA) RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel

Reviews (1155)

What Guests Are Saying

Cottonwood Campground offers a stunning location for stargazing and has clean, well-maintained restroom facilities with running water. Many visitors enjoyed the peaceful, quiet atmosphere and nearby hiking trails, making it a great spot for outdoor activities. Some challenges included noise from nearby restrooms, close campsites, and limited parking options, but overall, guests had a positive experience and expressed a desire to return.

Review Summary

4.3
1155 reviews
5
57.7%
667
4
26.7%
308
3
9.8%
113
2
4.0%
46
1
1.8%
21

Paige L

Verified

February 10, 2024 • Stayed at: A19, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

5

We loved our experience at Cottonwood Campground! The campground and bathrooms were super clean. Better yet, the stars were amazing. You can access the trail to the Lost Palms Oasis from within the campground. So much to do and see in this area.

Steven M

Verified

February 10, 2024 • Stayed at: A23, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

2

NPS,is not keeping up with the changes in camping, over the last 5 years there has been a 62% increase in RV sales. The sites at Cottonwood barely fit average length RV, and could easily modify to accept most. The sites are too restricted I.e. with the large stones and makes parking difficult. Or dangerous if you need an example of good sites look at the Valley of Fire, Atari Rock campground.

Paige L

Verified

February 10, 2024 • Stayed at: A19, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

5

We loved our experience at Cottonwood Campground! The campground and bathrooms were super clean. Better yet, the stars were amazing. You can access the trail to the Lost Palms Oasis from within the campground. So much to do and see in this area.

Steven M

Verified

February 10, 2024 • Stayed at: A23, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

2

NPS,is not keeping up with the changes in camping, over the last 5 years there has been a 62% increase in RV sales. The sites at Cottonwood barely fit average length RV, and could easily modify to accept most. The sites are too restricted I.e. with the large stones and makes parking difficult. Or dangerous if you need an example of good sites look at the Valley of Fire, Atari Rock campground.

Brooke R

Verified

February 11, 2024 • Stayed at: B24, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

4

Great site for a quick stay. Plenty of protection from the wind compared to other sites in this campground. Not a lot of privacy, as the easiest path to the bathroom from many nearby sites is basically to cut through this one. Clean bathroom with flushing toilet and sinks. Did not try the "drinking water" spigot because RVs were using it to fill up their tanks. A little ways from the ranger station and seemingly no camp host present during our visit. Notably, a garbage truck did come by at 6:45 am on a Saturday to empty the dumpsters. Wouldn't stay here again if there were other campgrounds available, but would still book if this was the last reservable campground. It's very close to the highway, but about an hour drive from the namesake attractions of the park.

Alian M

Verified

February 11, 2024 • Stayed at: A19, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

4

Good

Manford Hotchkiss H

Verified

February 11, 2024 • Stayed at: A14, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

4

WE would have appreciated a light on the bathroom which was difficult to find in the dark, and a more level site.

We loved the desert and trails.
Your reminder emails made us feel welcome!

Daniel C

Verified

February 11, 2024 • Stayed at: B24, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

4

A good campground with clean restrooms and hand soap provided (but nothing to dry hands with). Access is fairly handy off Interstate 10. Not nearly as picturesque as other JTNP campgrounds, but site availability is much better. Glad to have the dump station for a clean getaway. There are very nice hiking opportunities leaving from Cottonwood Spring. Will likely stay here again mainly due to the good location for easy access to a National Park campground.

shelley p

Verified

February 11, 2024 • Stayed at: A27, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

5

nice campground!

Brooke R

Verified

February 11, 2024 • Stayed at: B24, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

4

Great site for a quick stay. Plenty of protection from the wind compared to other sites in this campground. Not a lot of privacy, as the easiest path to the bathroom from many nearby sites is basically to cut through this one. Clean bathroom with flushing toilet and sinks. Did not try the "drinking water" spigot because RVs were using it to fill up their tanks. A little ways from the ranger station and seemingly no camp host present during our visit. Notably, a garbage truck did come by at 6:45 am on a Saturday to empty the dumpsters. Wouldn't stay here again if there were other campgrounds available, but would still book if this was the last reservable campground. It's very close to the highway, but about an hour drive from the namesake attractions of the park.

Location & Directions for Cottonwood Campground (CA)

74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 United States

Getting There

<p>The park headquarters address is not the physical address of the campground. To get to the campground, take Interstate 10 to the I-10 exit 168 Mecca/Twentynine Palms exit and follow signs to Joshua Tree National Park. The exit is 25 mi east of ...

Nearest town

Twentynine Palms, CA - 39 mi

About 56 min to downtown

Highway access

Cottonwood Campground is accessible via Interstate 10, with the I-10 exit 168 Mecca/Twentynine Palms exit located approximately 25 miles to the west.

Nearby Campgrounds


Last updated: October 17, 2026

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Explore Twentynine Palms, CA

Population: 27,355

Nearby larger city

Indio, CA

Approx. 23 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 1,988 ft

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