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Joshua Tree National Park

Cottonwood

59 sites

A tent and picnic table among desert shrubs

Campground & surroundings · Photo via Recreation.gov

1 / 8

California deserts

Open Colorado Desert shrubland offers broad night-sky views, spring wildflowers and hiking from this southern Joshua Tree base.

  • Open desert
  • Stargazing
  • Hiking
  • Wildflowers

4.35 / 5

1,690 campground ratings

Plan around

Vegetation provides little shade, and summer heat can be intense.

Details & sources

Highlights

  • Drinking water and flush toilets
  • Hiking trails leave from camp

Open desert · Stargazing · Hiking · Wildflowers

Recreation.gov campground rating · Checked Oct 14, 2026. Ratings describe the campground, not individual sites.

Photos may show different seasons or surrounding scenery. Descriptions come from the official guides below; current closures and facilities can change.

Your stay

Recreation.gov

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Sources & details

Responses may be reused for up to 5 minutes; Check again requests an update. A site is not held until you book.

Available means confirmed for every selected night. Missing, unreleased and first-come dates remain unknown.

Seasons & nearby essentials
Weather & overnight temperatures

Local forecast

When to go & what to expect

Joshua Tree park-wide planning. Seasonal guidance is general; it does not confirm campground opening dates.

  • Spring: plan for crowds

    Spring and holidays are the busiest periods. Weather can change quickly, including wind, rain and cold.

  • Summer: extreme heat

    The park warns of serious summer heat. Compare the forecast for your campground before choosing dates.

  • Winter: cold is possible

    Freezing conditions and snow can occur. Conditions differ with elevation and location within the park.

Sources checked 2026-10-14: NPS trip essentials; NPS local weather.

Groceries, showers & supplies

NPS lists no grocery stores, restaurants or gas stations inside the park. Bring your food, water and supplies; check campground-specific water information.

Campground facilities & nearby services

Official setting & visitor guideGuide checked 2026-10-14

Sites 59

Default tent match · Set up to personalize.

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Site map59 mapped sites
Choose dates to check openings
Campground mapDefault priorities scores use the same circular pins, with pale to strong color halos and numeric labels. Pins show site numbers when there is room. Small badges 1, 2 and 3 match the list ranking for these filters. Choose dates to check openings Bold rings mark the selected site; a separate dashed outer ring marks keyboard focus. Slashed circles do not fit the default tent setup. WC marks restrooms. Use plus and minus to zoom, arrow keys to move, or choose Move map to drag and pinch on a touchscreen.Site A06, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 74 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B07, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 74 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B05, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 73 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B08, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 73 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A20, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 72 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A11, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 70 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A25, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 70 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B06, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 70 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B20, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 69 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B24, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 69 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B26, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 69 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A18, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 68 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A21, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 68 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B19, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 68 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A26, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 67 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B04, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 67 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B18, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 67 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B23, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 67 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A23, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 66 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B09, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 66 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B11, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 66 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B25, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 66 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B28, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 66 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B17, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 65 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A10, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 64 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A16, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 64 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B10, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 64 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B13, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 63 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A01, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 62 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A27, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 62 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B01, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 62 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B31, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 62 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A15, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 61 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A19, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 61 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A28, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 61 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A30, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 61 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B15, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 61 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B27, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 61 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B29, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 61 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B12, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 60 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A14, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 59 out of 100, Some trade-offs, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A17, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 59 out of 100, Some trade-offs, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B30, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 59 out of 100, Some trade-offs, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B02, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 57 out of 100, Some trade-offs, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A02, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 56 out of 100, Some trade-offs, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A29, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 56 out of 100, Some trade-offs, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A31, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 56 out of 100, Some trade-offs, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B16, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 53 out of 100, Some trade-offs, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A12, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 51 out of 100, Some trade-offs, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A05, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 72 out of 100, Good match, does not fit the default tent setup, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A09, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 68 out of 100, Good match, does not fit the default tent setup, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A04, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 67 out of 100, Good match, does not fit the default tent setup, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B22, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 66 out of 100, Good match, does not fit the default tent setup, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A03, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 63 out of 100, Good match, does not fit the default tent setup, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B03, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 63 out of 100, Good match, does not fit the default tent setup, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite B14, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), default match score 57 out of 100, Some trade-offs, does not fit the default tent setup, evidence for 4 of 5 preferencesSite A07, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), A07 1, default match score 77 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferences, rank 1 in the list Site A08, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), A08 2, default match score 76 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferences, rank 2 in the list Site A24, loop COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA), A24 3, default match score 76 out of 100, Good match, evidence for 4 of 5 preferences, rank 3 in the list 1.0×
Default match · tent, equal priorities
80–100 Strong60–79 Good40–59 Some trade-offs0–39 More trade-offs

Pin = site number · Badge 1–3 = list rank

SelectedDoesn't fit default tent setupRestrooms

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