Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground

Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground is the most established private campground near Joshua Tree National Park in California, and it is where most RVers land when they want full hookups within striking distance of the west and south entrances. It sits about 5 miles north of the town of Joshua Tree on a small lake, honestly more of a large pond, at 2,300 feet with open Mojave Desert views in every direction, and it suits anyone who wants to day-trip into the park and come home to shore power, hot showers and a real bathroom.

Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground at a glance

Hookups	Full (30/50 amp electric, water, sewer)
Sites	Multiple RV sites with pull-throughs available
Max RV length	No limit
Cost	~$55/night for full hookups
Distance to park	~10 miles to West Entrance
Dump station	Yes (included with hookup sites)
Showers	Yes — hot showers included
WiFi	Yes (basic)

Why RVers stay here

The practical picture: full-hookup sites with 30/50-amp electric, water and sewer, pull-throughs available, and no rig length limit, at about $55 a night. There is a camp store, clean restrooms with hot showers, laundry, basic WiFi that will not stream, plus tent sites, cabins and a small stocked fishing lake. The West Entrance is about 10 miles south, roughly 30 minutes to the park interior, and Twentynine Palms is about 15 miles east for groceries. Best season follows the park, October through April. The trade-off is that the grounds are well maintained rather than luxurious; the value is real, though, since comparable parks near Zion or Yellowstone charge $70 to $90-plus.

✓Full 30/50-amp hookups with sewer, the one thing no campground inside Joshua Tree offers

✓No rig length limit and pull-through sites available

✓About $55 a night, reasonable next to comparable national-park gateway parks

✓Hot showers, laundry, camp store and a small stocked fishing lake on site

✓Attractive open-desert setting, especially at sunrise, about 10 miles from the West Entrance

!Well maintained but not luxurious; the lake is closer to a large pond

!WiFi is basic and not streaming quality

!Roughly a 30-minute drive to reach the park interior

What our guides say about Joshua Tree Lake RV & 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

Joshua Tree Lake is the most established private campground near the park and the one most RVers end up at when they want full hookups within striking distance of the south and west park entrances. It is located about 5 miles north of the town of Joshua Tree, set on a small lake (more of a large pond, honestly) at 2,300 feet elevation with open Mojave Desert views in every direction.

The campground offers full-hookup sites with 30/50-amp electric, water, and sewer — everything the national park campgrounds do not have. Pull-through sites are available, and the park can handle rigs of any length. The grounds are well-maintained if not luxurious, and the desert setting is genuinely attractive, particularly at sunrise when the surrounding mountains catch the first light.

Beyond the RV sites, Joshua Tree Lake has tent camping, cabins, and a small fishing lake stocked with catfish and trout (seasonal). There is a camp store, clean restrooms with hot showers, and a laundry facility. WiFi is available but do not expect streaming-quality speeds — this is still the desert.

The location works well as a basecamp. The park's West Entrance in Joshua Tree is about 10 miles south, and the drive into the park interior takes about 30 minutes. Twentynine Palms, with its grocery stores and restaurants, is about 15 miles east.

Value note: At $55/night for full hookups near a major national park, Joshua Tree Lake is reasonably priced. Comparable parks near Zion or Yellowstone charge $70–90+ for similar amenities.

Read the guide →

Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground: frequently asked questions

Does Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground have full hookups?

Yes. Sites have 30/50-amp electric, water and sewer, and dump service is included with hookup sites.

How much does Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground cost per night?

About $55 per night for a full-hookup site in the range we have on file. Confirm current rates with the campground.

What is the max RV length at Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground?

There is no length limit; the park can handle rigs of any size and offers pull-through sites.

How far is Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground from Joshua Tree National Park?

About 10 miles to the West Entrance in the town of Joshua Tree, and roughly a 30-minute drive into the park interior. Twentynine Palms is about 15 miles east.

Does Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground have showers and WiFi?

Yes. There are clean restrooms with hot showers, a laundry facility and basic WiFi; do not expect streaming speeds.

Can you fish at Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground?

Yes. The small on-site lake is stocked seasonally with catfish and trout.

Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground