Black Rock Campground

Black Rock Campground is a National Park Service campground at the northwest corner of Joshua Tree National Park, California, near Yucca Valley at about 4,000 feet. It is the most RV-friendly campground inside the park and the only one pairing potable water, flush toilets and a dump station with sites big enough for larger rigs. It has its own entrance, so you never drive the park interior to reach it. It suits RVers who want an in-park base with reservations, day hikers, families and first-time visitors.

Black Rock Campground at a glance

Hookups	None; water + dump available
Sites	99 (reservable via Recreation.gov)
Max RV length	35 ft
Cost	$35
Fees	Park entrance is separate.
Reservations	Recreation.gov
Elevation	~4,000 feet
Dump station	Yes
Water	Yes — potable water available
Cell signal	Moderate — better than interior campgrounds due to proximity to Yucca Valley
Generators	Permitted during designated hours (7 AM–9 AM, 5 PM–7 PM)

Source-backed: Official NPS campground page (checked 2026-07-18). Rates and site details change — verify with the operator before you book. Compare it with every other park we track in the price index.

Why RVers stay here

All 99 sites are dry camping (no hookups), reservable through Recreation.gov, and rated for RVs up to 35 feet, though several perimeter sites can take larger Class As with careful maneuvering. Our specs list $35 per night, with park entrance separate. Generators run only 7 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Peak season is November through March; book when the rolling window opens for weekends, while weekdays are usually fine. Cell signal is moderate thanks to Yucca Valley nearby. The trade-off is that Black Rock feels like a developed campground rather than the boulder-strewn desert solitude of Jumbo Rocks or Indian Cove.

✓Potable water, flush toilets and a dump station, unique among Joshua Tree's RV-capable campgrounds

✓Reservable on Recreation.gov, so you can count on a site in peak season

✓Trailheads from camp, including Black Rock Canyon Trail and the California Riding and Hiking Trail

✓Separate entrance near Yucca Valley for easy resupply and moderate cell signal

✓Sites to 35 feet, with some perimeter sites workable for larger Class As

!No hookups; generators limited to 7-9 a.m. and 5-7 p.m.

!Less remote-desert atmosphere than the interior campgrounds; more families and first-timers

!35-foot rating, so larger rigs need careful site selection

What our guides say about Black Rock Campground

Excerpts from the RV Parks Guide articles that cover this campground. Each links to the full guide.

Regional guide

Joshua Tree RV Camping: Inside the Park and Full-Hookup Options Outside

Black Rock is the most RV-friendly campground inside Joshua Tree, and the only one that combines potable water, flush toilets, and a dump station with sites large enough for bigger rigs. It is located at the northwest corner of the park near Yucca Valley, at about 4,000 feet elevation, and it operates on a separate entrance from the main park — you do not need to drive through the park's interior to reach it.

The campground has 99 sites, and unlike Jumbo Rocks, Black Rock takes reservations through Recreation.gov. This is a significant advantage during peak season. You can book your dates months in advance and actually count on having a campsite when you arrive. Sites accommodate RVs up to 35 feet, and several of the perimeter sites are spacious enough for larger Class A rigs with careful maneuvering.

The setting is different from the boulder-strewn interior campgrounds. Black Rock sits at the base of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, with Joshua trees and yucca covering the surrounding desert. The views are open and expansive rather than intimate. Several trailheads originate from the campground, including the Black Rock Canyon Trail and connections to the California Riding and Hiking Trail, making it a strong basecamp for day hikers.

Read the guide →

Black Rock Campground: frequently asked questions

Does Black Rock Campground have hookups?

No. It is dry camping, but potable water, flush toilets and a dump station are on-site, which no other RV-capable Joshua Tree campground combines.

How much does Black Rock Campground cost per night?

Our verified specs list $35 per night, with the park entrance fee separate. Confirm on Recreation.gov when booking.

What is the max RV length at Black Rock Campground?

Sites accommodate RVs up to 35 feet. Several perimeter sites are roomy enough for larger Class A rigs with careful maneuvering.

Do you need reservations at Black Rock Campground?

Yes, and it takes them: all 99 sites book through Recreation.gov on a rolling window. Reserve early for November-March weekends; weekdays usually have availability.

How far is Black Rock Campground from the main Joshua Tree entrances?

It sits at the park's northwest corner near Yucca Valley on its own entrance, so you do not drive through the park interior to reach it. Our guide does not publish a mileage to the West Entrance.

Can you run a generator at Black Rock Campground?

Yes, during designated hours only: 7-9 a.m. and 5-7 p.m.