About Cottonwood Campground (CA)
Number of accommodations: 59
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Rates, Sites & Availability
59 Sites Available
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Site Details
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59 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (1105)
What Guests Are Saying
Cottonwood Campground is highly praised for its cleanliness, well-maintained facilities, and excellent stargazing opportunities, making it a favorite among campers. Many visitors enjoyed the nearby hiking trails and the campground's peaceful atmosphere, noting the friendly park rangers and accessible restroom facilities. Some challenges include parking difficulties for larger vehicles and a lack of amenities nearby, but overall, guests recommend it for its beautiful location and enjoyable camping experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Cottonwood Campground is highly praised for its cleanliness, well-maintained facilities, and excellent stargazing opportunities, making it a favorite among campers. Many visitors enjoyed the nearby hiking trails and the campground's peaceful atmosphere, noting the friendly park rangers and accessible restroom facilities. Some challenges include parking difficulties for larger vehicles and a lack of amenities nearby, but overall, guests recommend it for its beautiful location and enjoyable camping experience.
Review Summary
Jeff c
VerifiedMay 11, 2026 • Stayed at: A03, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
Did not stay due to driving distance
Edward W
VerifiedMay 11, 2026 • Stayed at: A31, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
For us this was the most convenient stopover in the park -- high winds but manageable if in a van.
Alejandra G
VerifiedMay 10, 2026 • Stayed at: A30, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
It was nice and clean! I liked it a lot
Emily W
VerifiedMay 9, 2026 • Stayed at: A11, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
Lovely campground, did the beautiful Lost Palms Oasis hike in the morning!
Karyn L
VerifiedMay 7, 2026 • Stayed at: B23, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
Quiet campground and large sites. Restroom facilities were nearby. Beautiful location for stargazing and enjoying the scenery. Great experience!
Patricia O
VerifiedMay 7, 2026 • Stayed at: B22, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
This was a nightmare to reserve a site. No cell phone coverage near the campground and no other way to reserve a site. We had to drive a minimum of 7 miles and back to get coverage on the phone. Also the one site we knew we wanted was not available on the website, but no one ever came into that site. We had to reserve and use one we found very difficult to park in, too close to the bathrooms, with walking traffic and some smell. There should be some additional way to reserve a site once you are in the park, especially since you already paid to get into the park. We love Joshua Tree, but I will repeat this story to everyone who wants to visit there. Would-be campers beware.
Mark C
VerifiedMay 6, 2026 • Stayed at: A25, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
Great time. Stars were amazing at night will be back again.
katrina h
VerifiedMay 6, 2026 • Stayed at: A27, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
Hi,
The toilets were great and it was peaceful, however it is extremely open with no shelter from strong winds, my tent blew down and I had to sleep in my car. I wouldn’t recommend this campsite for tents.
eric g
VerifiedMay 4, 2026 • Stayed at: A27, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
Nice clean campground on Southern end of Joshua Tree national Park. Would return again.
Marc P
VerifiedMay 2, 2026 • Stayed at: B03, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
When I tried making the reservation the only available sites were the side of the road sites. We could just barely fit our trailer in with the entry door positioned between the large rocks. Almost all other sites were empty the two nights we were there. We were informed by the campground host that they were booked by travel agents or vacation planners using bots to secure them for later resell. We would like to have used one of those sites but we’re not allowed to even though there were no show campers. Recreation.gov needs to filter out these type of reservations so actual campers can use them.
Location Cottonwood Campground (CA)
Address:
74485 National Park Drive
Twentynine Palms, CA, 92277
United States
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 miles east of Indio, California.
Cottonwood Campground is accessible via Interstate 10, with the I-10 exit 168 Mecca/Twentynine Palms exit located approximately 25 miles to the west.
Latitude & Longitude: 33.75 / -115.825
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Last updated: June 3, 2026
