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
Karen L
VerifiedJuly 16, 2024 β’ Stayed at: A24, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
Clean camp site. Neighbors were great and respectful. The site itself is perfect for stargazing since there isn't too much around.
Cynthia K
VerifiedJuly 13, 2024 β’ Stayed at: B28, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
Nice campsite with an easy walk to the bathroom and visitors center. A nice trail left from the campground and other hikes were available by driving.
Cynthia K
VerifiedJuly 13, 2024 β’ Stayed at: B28, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
Nice campsite with an easy walk to the bathroom and visitors center. A nice trail left from the campground and other hikes were available by driving.
Noemi V
VerifiedJuly 11, 2024 β’ Stayed at: A11, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
Campsite was next to a trail and restrooms. Site was clean. It was my first time camping in the desert, be advised of high winds!
Noemi V
VerifiedJuly 11, 2024 β’ Stayed at: A11, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
Campsite was next to a trail and restrooms. Site was clean. It was my first time camping in the desert, be advised of high winds!
You S
VerifiedJuly 8, 2024 β’ Stayed at: A14, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
This review is actually for site 24. I booked site 14 but somehow thought it was site 24. The nice young couple who booked 24 and arrived after dark didnβt make us move. We already put up a tent and settled for the night. Thank you so much!!!!
All these sites in low even numbers are on the same side as the bathroom. The bathroom needs a bit cleaning but overall the campground is very nice, amazing sunset and thousands of stars at night.
You S
VerifiedJuly 8, 2024 β’ Stayed at: A14, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
This review is actually for site 24. I booked site 14 but somehow thought it was site 24. The nice young couple who booked 24 and arrived after dark didnβt make us move. We already put up a tent and settled for the night. Thank you so much!!!!
All these sites in low even numbers are on the same side as the bathroom. The bathroom needs a bit cleaning but overall the campground is very nice, amazing sunset and thousands of stars at night.
Kerstin K
VerifiedJune 25, 2024 β’ Stayed at: A12, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
My husband and I arrived in the evening in June with our car and a tent at A12, our tent space. Back to back was a big family with 4 children talking and partying loudly. We could hear every single word of them. The second back-to-back spot was an RV that had a motor running. On the other campsites around people were grilling and the air was smelling. I knew that I would be mad the whole evening and the whole night about that and so we decided to drive home, 2 1/2 hours away. I get it, those people have a right to celebrate and party in the desert.
My question is,
- where is my right to smell clean air?
- where is my right to have silence in the desert?
- where is my right to have some privacy?
Can the park not make two campgrounds, one that is for party people and the other one far away for people who love to listen to animal sounds at night, see the night sky, smell the fresh air, and be in silence, connect to nature and enjoy the silence?
Kerstin K
VerifiedJune 25, 2024 β’ Stayed at: A12, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
My husband and I arrived in the evening in June with our car and a tent at A12, our tent space. Back to back was a big family with 4 children talking and partying loudly. We could hear every single word of them. The second back-to-back spot was an RV that had a motor running. On the other campsites around people were grilling and the air was smelling. I knew that I would be mad the whole evening and the whole night about that and so we decided to drive home, 2 1/2 hours away. I get it, those people have a right to celebrate and party in the desert.
My question is,
- where is my right to smell clean air?
- where is my right to have silence in the desert?
- where is my right to have some privacy?
Can the park not make two campgrounds, one that is for party people and the other one far away for people who love to listen to animal sounds at night, see the night sky, smell the fresh air, and be in silence, connect to nature and enjoy the silence?
Joanna V
VerifiedJune 1, 2024 β’ Stayed at: B28, Loop: COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)
The camp ground itself was very well kept and the facilities were in excellent condition. Canβt beat the super low light pollution for star gazing
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
