Cottonwood Group Campground
COTTONWOOD GROUP
COTTONWOOD GROUP
COTTONWOOD GROUP

Available sites

3 total sites

About Cottonwood Group

Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more! Cottonwood Group Campground is one of the best places in Joshua Tree National Park for stargazing and wildflower viewing. The group campground is part of the main Cottonwood Campground and has three sites that are by reservation only. It is one of three group campgrounds in the park and the only campground that lies in the southern section. To get the most out of your visit Plan Like a Park Ranger Travelers 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. Cottonwood Group Campground is at an elevation of 3 ft. and has little shade from vegetation; however, there are picnic shelters that provide shade at each site.

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

Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

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

3 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ G01, Loop: Group Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ G02, Loop: Group Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ G03, Loop: Group Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade

Reviews (114)

What Guests Are Saying

The Cottonwood Group campsite offers spacious areas with clean facilities, including flushing toilets and shaded picnic tables, making it a pleasant spot for camping. The site provides beautiful views for stargazing and easy access to hiking trails. However, noise from other campers and the lack of a curfew can disrupt the experience, and there have been reports of issues with park regulations regarding vehicle camping.

Review Summary

4.7
114 reviews
5
84.2%
96
4
9.6%
11
3
3.5%
4
2
0.0%
0
1
2.6%
3

Winnie c

Verified

April 4, 2026 • Stayed at: G01, Loop: Group Area

5

Having running water and a flushing toilet in the middle of the desert is just pure bliss!

Winnie c

Verified

April 4, 2026 • Stayed at: G01, Loop: Group Area

5

Having running water and a flushing toilet in the middle of the desert is just pure bliss!

Michael M

Verified

March 19, 2026 • Stayed at: G03, Loop: Group Area

5

The camp was clean and litter free. The bathrooms were cleaned every day and stocked with paper and soap. The camp host paid a visit and lent us his WIFI password. The visitor center was clean, lively and stocked with merchandise. Maybe a water/soda machine would be cool?

Michael M

Verified

March 19, 2026 • Stayed at: G03, Loop: Group Area

5

The camp was clean and litter free. The bathrooms were cleaned every day and stocked with paper and soap. The camp host paid a visit and lent us his WIFI password. The visitor center was clean, lively and stocked with merchandise. Maybe a water/soda machine would be cool?

Kristopher K

Verified

November 11, 2025 • Stayed at: G02, Loop: Group Area

5

👌

Kristopher K

Verified

November 11, 2025 • Stayed at: G02, Loop: Group Area

5

👌

Jim G

Verified

May 28, 2025 • Stayed at: G03, Loop: Group Area

5

Wonderful campsite. Well maintained We just wish there was a shower.

Jim G

Verified

May 28, 2025 • Stayed at: G03, Loop: Group Area

5

Wonderful campsite. Well maintained We just wish there was a shower.

Ulises N

Verified

May 4, 2025 • Stayed at: G02, Loop: Group Area

5

Very large site with plenty of room for multiple tents, when the wind is blowing hard there are a couple of spots that have large vegetation that can act as a wind guard (we had 40+mph gusts). Restroom is a few yards away and was really clean. Couple of Kangaroo Rats seen around the site. Scenery is great, there is a small hill next to the site that acts as a platform that overlooks the landscape and gives clear views of the sunset and sunrise. At night you will be treated with a very clear view of the sky (weather permitting) as light pollution is cut out well here. It gets so dark during a new moon. Bring a tarp for windy days and hang it from the shelter to block the wind. Ground is small rock/sandy. This was our second visit to this park and will be returning.

Ulises N

Verified

May 4, 2025 • Stayed at: G02, Loop: Group Area

5

Very large site with plenty of room for multiple tents, when the wind is blowing hard there are a couple of spots that have large vegetation that can act as a wind guard (we had 40+mph gusts). Restroom is a few yards away and was really clean. Couple of Kangaroo Rats seen around the site. Scenery is great, there is a small hill next to the site that acts as a platform that overlooks the landscape and gives clear views of the sunset and sunrise. At night you will be treated with a very clear view of the sky (weather permitting) as light pollution is cut out well here. It gets so dark during a new moon. Bring a tarp for windy days and hang it from the shelter to block the wind. Ground is small rock/sandy. This was our second visit to this park and will be returning.

Location & Directions for Cottonwood Group

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

Getting There

The address below is not the physical address of the campground. To get to the campground, take Interstate 10 to the Mecca/Twentynine Palms exit and follow signs to Joshua Tree National Park. The exit is 25 mi east of Indio, California.

Nearest town

Twentynine Palms, CA - 39 mi

About 56 min to downtown

Highway access

The campground is accessible via Interstate 10, with the nearest exit being the Mecca/Twentynine Palms exit, which is approximately 25 miles east of Indio, California.

Policies & Rules

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Nearby Campgrounds


Last updated: October 17, 2026

Message us

Need help?

Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.

Message us

Replies within minutes

Explore Twentynine Palms, CA

Population: 27,355

Nearby larger city

Indio, CA

Approx. 23 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 1,988 ft

National Park Service Logo
Managed by the National Park Service