OutReserve

Cottonwood Campground (CA)

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

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 3,000 ft. and has little shade from vegetation.

Number of accommodations: 59

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

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)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A02, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A03, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A04, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A05, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A06, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A07, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
A08, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 A09, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A10, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
A11, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
A12, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
A14, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 A15, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A16, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A17, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A18, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A19, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A20, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A21, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A23, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A24, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A25, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A26, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A27, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A28, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A29, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A30, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 A31, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B01, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B02, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B03, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B04, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B05, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B06, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B07, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B08, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B09, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B10, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
B11, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 B12, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
B13, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 B14, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B15, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B16, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B17, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B18, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B19, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B20, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B22, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B23, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B24, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B25, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B26, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B27, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B28, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B29, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B30, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 B31, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
No Hookups
Price not available

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.

Review Summary

4.4
1105 reviews
5
57.9%
640
4
26.8%
296
3
9.8%
108
2
3.8%
42
1
1.7%
19

Michael P

Verified

February 4, 2025 Stayed at: B23, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

5

Enjoyed access to a sink and flush toilet. Great stargazing. Close to Cottonwood Springs and Lost Oasis.

Mary G

Verified

February 4, 2025 Stayed at: A10, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

4

In the low desert part of the park, so away from the frenetic upper part of the park. Quiet. Surprisingly, the outer camp sites were on the road, and not pulled in.

Bryce B

Verified

February 4, 2025 Stayed at: A14, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

5

Exactly as described

Behyar B

Verified

February 2, 2025 Stayed at: A25, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

4

All in all, it was a pleasant trip.

Behyar B

Verified

February 2, 2025 Stayed at: A25, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

4

All in all, it was a pleasant trip.

Colleen B

Verified

January 31, 2025 Stayed at: A16, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

4

Loved the park and campsite except for the rules about dogs not allowed on any trails, we did walk our dog around the campsite and down to the trail head for the Cottonwood Spring and then one of us stood at the trailhead while the other waited at the parking area. We were here in mid January but if it was any warmer this would have been impossible. We were quite surprised by how many public areas in the US ban dogs.
Our campsite was nice and spacious,had a fire ring and picnic table. The toilets were clean and everything was well kept.
We took our dog to the south gate of the park so she could get a good long walk not having to stand on tarmac.

Colleen B

Verified

January 31, 2025 Stayed at: A16, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

4

Loved the park and campsite except for the rules about dogs not allowed on any trails, we did walk our dog around the campsite and down to the trail head for the Cottonwood Spring and then one of us stood at the trailhead while the other waited at the parking area. We were here in mid January but if it was any warmer this would have been impossible. We were quite surprised by how many public areas in the US ban dogs.
Our campsite was nice and spacious,had a fire ring and picnic table. The toilets were clean and everything was well kept.
We took our dog to the south gate of the park so she could get a good long walk not having to stand on tarmac.

Abdul S

Verified

January 27, 2025 Stayed at: B24, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

5

Beautiful campground and clean bathrooms. We enjoyed our 3 night stay and plan on returning a 3rd time to Cottonwood soon!

Abdul S

Verified

January 27, 2025 Stayed at: B24, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

5

Beautiful campground and clean bathrooms. We enjoyed our 3 night stay and plan on returning a 3rd time to Cottonwood soon!

Marcia B

Verified

January 23, 2025 Stayed at: B13, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

1

I’m an extremely dissatisfied Recreation.gov customer. I decided to book Cottonwood campground for the following night. I made the booking a few minutes before midnight. Immediately after I booked I noticed it had booked for the date of booking, not the next night. There were only 5 minutes left on that date and I was many hours away!!!
I immediately tried to change the booking date to the correct date. Not only did Recreation.gov want to charge me a $10 change fee, it would not give me any credit for what was already charged. So it would have cost me not only a regular night fee but an additional $10. What a colossal rip off.
I just lost the original fee and decided to end my losses there instead of trying to correct my mistakes.
I am dissatisfied because there is a “change reservation “ option that only allows you to pay way more than just doing a new booking. What an absurdity!!!! Don’t give the change reservation option if one will not only be able to change it by paying Much More than if booked as a new date.

Location Cottonwood Campground (CA)

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

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.

Latitude & Longitude: 33.75 / -115.825

Nearby Campgrounds


Last updated: June 4, 2026

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