Black Rock Equestrian Campground
BLACK ROCK EQUESTRIAN CAMPGROUND
Part of Joshua Tree National Park
Overview
Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more!
Black Rock Horse Campground is strictly for campers planning to bring horses or mules. It lies among one of the thickest Joshua tree forests in Joshua Tree National Park. Its location on the park's northern perimeter makes it a popular rest stop for horseback riders . Reservations are required for Black Rock year-round. 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 hover between 70 to 90 degrees during the day and drop anywhere between 40 to 60 degrees at night. Summer is the park's off-season due to uncomfortably high desert heat. Black Rock is at an elevation of 4,000 feet and has a mix of both sun and shade.
Facilities
The facility is convenient for RV camping, complete with flush toilets and a dump station. There are no hookups. Black Rock is one of two campgrounds in the national park that provides drinking water. Showers, laundry and other amenities are available in the town of Yucca Valley five miles away.Natural Features
The unique shape of Joshua trees and the huge rocks that surround them draw tourists and scientists alike to the national park. Within the Black Rock facility, the surrounding trees form silhouettes against the landscape during sunrise and sunset and display bunches of blooming white flowers in early spring.Campers staying at Black Rock may have the chance to view the elusive desert tortoise, found only in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Visitors may also want to keep their eyes out for more typical desert inhabitants such as lizards, rattlesnakes, scorpions, coyotes, ravens 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. Birders may also be pleasantly surprised at the variety of species found around the campground.
Recreation
Equestrians will enjoy the variety of trails around Black Rock for day rides, including some with spectacular views of the low desert and high peaks around Palm Springs.Contact Info
This location is staffed. Please call (760) 367-3001 to speak with local staff.Important Notices
Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more!
Visitors MUST have horses to camp at this facility; if you arrive without horses your reservation will be forfeited and you will not receive a refund.
Reservations are required year round and can be made the same day or up to 6 months in advance.
No-Shows
Overnight Facilities: A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out (noon) time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time (noon) on the day following the arrival date.
A $20.00 service fee and the first night’s recreation fee will be deducted from any refund for unused nights.
*Note: the entire reservation will be cancelled for no-shows.
This campground has shared hitching posts, fire pits, picnic tables, a water faucet and dumpster. There are 4 - 12x12 stalls available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please continue to be prepared with your own portable corrals or trailer-tie. Restrooms and dump station are available in the adjacent family campground.
For specific campground questions call 760-367-3001. For additional park information visit www.nps.gov/jotr.
Access into the main portion of the park is via the California Riding and Hiking Trail. Access by vehicle requires a park entrance fee of $30 in addition to the camping fee. Passes can be purchased ahead of time here
Generator use is permitted only from 7–9 am, noon–2 pm, and 5–7 pm.
Pets are not allowed on trails but are welcome in the campground, on any dirt road or within 100 feet of any road. Pets must be on a leash no more than 6 feet long at all times. Pets may not be left unattended or tied to an object; leaving pets in unattended vehicles is strongly discouraged – especially on warm days.
Don’t Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near the park and burning it on-site, and do not use park vegetation, living or dead, for fuel.
All organized events require a special use permit and must be held in designated areas; contact the Special Park Use Coordinator, jotr_permit_office@nps.gov.
FIRE BAN fire restriction are currently in effect that prohibit charcoal fires, wood-burning fires, and charcoal grills. NO Fires! Only gas or propane stoves are permitted. Starting June 15, ending October 1st of every year.
Notifications and Alerts
Due to ongoing construction at the new West Entrance Station in the town of Joshua Tree, the West Entrance will be closed from December 3 through December 5.
During this time, please use one of the following alternative entrances:
North Entrance in the City of Twentynine Palms
Cottonwood Entrance off the I-10 Freeway
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve park facilities.
Thank you.
Available Activities
- WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
- VISITOR CENTER - Information Center
- HIKING - Hiking
- INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS - Educational Programs
- CAMPING - Camping
Directions
Take Interstate 10 to Route 62 into the town of Yucca Valley. Turn south on Joshua Lane and follow signs to campground, about five miles from the turn. <br /><br /> If coming south on Highway 247, go straight across Highway 62 and continue onto Joshua Lane. There will be no sign for the park as you cross Route 62.
Contact Information
Phone: 760-367-5554
9800 Black Rock Canyon RoadYucca Valley, CA 92284 9800 Black Rock Canyon Road
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site H14, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H02, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H10, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site Equestrian NonElectric, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H13, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H06, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H08, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H07, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H20, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H18, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H16, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H04, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H09, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H15, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H11, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H19, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H17, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H05, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H01, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H12, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site H03, Loop Horse Sites, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
