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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59 Sites Available
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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
Layne C
VerifiedDecember 26, 2024 • Stayed at: A09, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
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Joan H
VerifiedDecember 25, 2024 • Stayed at: B27, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
I loved this campground for its dark sky. A reminder: THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY PARK. DO NOT BRING EXTERIOR STRING LIGHTS ETC. LEAVE THEM AT HOME FOR YOUR HOUSE IN YOUR NON-DARK-SKY neighborhoods.
The bathroom doesn't even have lights interior or out (bring your flashlight people) and there's a reason for this: it's a dark sky park and guess what? you'll see the most amazing sky here maybe in your entire life. Again: THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY PARK. DO NOT BRING EXTERIOR STRING LIGHTS ETC. LEAVE THEM AT HOME FOR YOUR HOUSE IN YOUR NON-DARK-SKY neighborhoods. And turn your lanterns and exterior trailer lights off if you are not needing them for cooking, eating etc. Use the red lights on your flashlight (it takes 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust after being in white light). ENJOY!
The coyote calls throughout night was also cool. And we saw a desert rat twice at our campfire (ran over my sister's foot - eeks!).
Joan H
VerifiedDecember 25, 2024 • Stayed at: B27, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
I loved this campground for its dark sky. A reminder: THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY PARK. DO NOT BRING EXTERIOR STRING LIGHTS ETC. LEAVE THEM AT HOME FOR YOUR HOUSE IN YOUR NON-DARK-SKY neighborhoods.
The bathroom doesn't even have lights interior or out (bring your flashlight people) and there's a reason for this: it's a dark sky park and guess what? you'll see the most amazing sky here maybe in your entire life. Again: THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY PARK. DO NOT BRING EXTERIOR STRING LIGHTS ETC. LEAVE THEM AT HOME FOR YOUR HOUSE IN YOUR NON-DARK-SKY neighborhoods. And turn your lanterns and exterior trailer lights off if you are not needing them for cooking, eating etc. Use the red lights on your flashlight (it takes 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust after being in white light). ENJOY!
The coyote calls throughout night was also cool. And we saw a desert rat twice at our campfire (ran over my sister's foot - eeks!).
Rohit G
VerifiedDecember 24, 2024 • Stayed at: B25, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
Clean / private / running water / flushable toilets. Everything was as or better than expected.
Rohit G
VerifiedDecember 24, 2024 • Stayed at: B25, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
Clean / private / running water / flushable toilets. Everything was as or better than expected.
Steven H L
VerifiedDecember 22, 2024 • Stayed at: B03, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
A large group of 20-year olds near our camp were partying, chopping wood, and making a lot of noise continually from 8pm to 3:30am. There was no Ranger presence, no Campground Host, and absolutely no enforcement of the 10pm noise curfew. We were very disappointed at the complete absence of any National Park authority presence at this campground as we did not feel physically safe approaching these “campers” to ask them to be quiet. We had reservations for two nights but left the first morning, wasting our money for that second night. We travel and camp year round and throughout the Western US and this was one of the worst experiences we’ve ever had at a campground, let alone a campground in a National Park. A very, very disappointing experience.
Steven H L
VerifiedDecember 22, 2024 • Stayed at: B03, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
A large group of 20-year olds near our camp were partying, chopping wood, and making a lot of noise continually from 8pm to 3:30am. There was no Ranger presence, no Campground Host, and absolutely no enforcement of the 10pm noise curfew. We were very disappointed at the complete absence of any National Park authority presence at this campground as we did not feel physically safe approaching these “campers” to ask them to be quiet. We had reservations for two nights but left the first morning, wasting our money for that second night. We travel and camp year round and throughout the Western US and this was one of the worst experiences we’ve ever had at a campground, let alone a campground in a National Park. A very, very disappointing experience.
Esther Octavi C
VerifiedDecember 19, 2024 • Stayed at: B12, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
I was perfect, restroom was near, the view, everything was perfect
Richard J
VerifiedDecember 19, 2024 • Stayed at: A31, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
Nice place. We were there 3 nights.
Only problem was for 2 nights there a drastically oversized RV nearby. They did not really fit into the spot. They ran an incredibly loud generator (within hours but absurdly loud), they let their dog run free, their music was blaring, and they left dogshit all over their site.
NPS should consider enforcing the rules and forbidding generators.
Esther Octavi C
VerifiedDecember 19, 2024 • Stayed at: B12, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
I was perfect, restroom was near, the view, everything was perfect
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 4, 2026
