Facility Details - INDIAN COVE CAMPGROUND, CA

Overview

Indian Cove Campground lies amid the huge, steep rock formations for which Joshua Tree National Park is known. Because of its proximity to many rock climbing routes, it is a popular camping location for climbers. Indian Cove is one of only two campgrounds in the park that can be reserved during the busy winter season; it is open on a first-come, first-served basis from June 1 through September 29.

Travelers who enjoy warm, dry winters flock to Joshua Tree from October through May, when temperatures hover between 70-90 degrees during the day and drop to a 40-60 degree range at night. Summer is the park's off-season due to the uncomfortably-high desert heat. Indian Cove is at an elevation of 3,200 feet.

Natural Features:

Campsites are nestled on a flat, sandy surface between large boulders that tower in unique shapes over the campground and rise up from the otherwise uniform desert landscape. The rocks were formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago and have been exposed and shaped by wind and water over time. They brighten with soft pastel hues during the morning and evening sunlight and glow with campfire light by night.

Visitors may want to keep their eyes out for typical desert inhabitants such as lizards, rattlesnakes, scorpions, ravens, squirrels and desert tarantulas during the cooler months of the year. Bobcats and mountain lions do live in the park, however they are rarely seen near humans.

Recreation:

Rock climbers flock to Indian Cove Campground for the variety of routes and warmer temperatures that can be found in the interior of the park. Several hiking trails also leave from the campground. There is a short interpretive nature trail and plenty of rocks for the non-climber to explore within the facility. Clear desert skies are perfect for star-gazing.

Facilities:

This large facility has 91 individual campsites, as well as 13 tent-only group sites. There are no hookups or drinking water in the campground, however water and an emergency phone are available two miles away at the ranger station. The town of Twentynine Palms is 10 miles away and provides basic amenities.

The park allows six people and two vehicles per site, however, some sites are small and may not accommodate the maximum number of people and vehicles. See Site Details for specifics.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Amphitheater Campfire Rings Drinking Water Educational Programs Emergency Phone Hiking Parking Area	Picnic Area Picnic Tables Ranger Station Trash Collection Vault Toilets Visitor Center

Know Before You Go

There is no access into the main portion of the park from the campground except by hiking trails; entry at other entry points requires a park entrance fee of $15 per private family vehicle, separate from the campground fee
Fall and spring are the busiest times of year and reservations often book up early; if the reservable campgrounds are full, call the park directly at 760-367-5500 to check availability at the six first-come, first-served campgrounds within the park
This facility has a backcountry registration board; visitors who will be backpacking in the park are required to park and register at a backcountry registration board
If you arrive after noon on the day following your first reserved night, call 760-367-3001; if you cannot call, check in or visibly occupy your site by noon or you will forfeit your site
Gathering firewood is not allowed in the park

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
34.12, -116.15583
34°7'12"N, 116°9'21"W

Take Interstate 10 to State Highway 62. Turn south on Indian Cove Road. Follow the road into the campground. If coming from the east, follow Highway 62 approximately seven miles west of the city of Twentynine Palms and turn south onto Indian Cove Road.