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.  Proceed south for approximately 2 miles where the road ends at the campground.  

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.   Its open on a first-come, first-served basis from June 1 through September 29.  Reservations are available at www.recreation.gov.  The campground has 101 tent and RV camp spots.  RV's up to 35 feet can be accommodated.  However, not all camp spots can accommodate 35 foot RV's.  Many camp spots are only large enough for one or two cars.  A few "pull round" camp spots are available.  The primary activity at this campground is rock climbing and hiking.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  There are no concessions within the park.  Most campgrounds do not have water, ice, or wood available.  Bring everything you need.  There is also no cell service, WiFi, or TV.  With the exception of vault toilets, picnic tables, BBQ's, and fire rings this is dry camping at its best.  All campgrounds in the park do have these four amenities.

 

Only Black Rock Campground and Cottonwood Campground have water and dump stations.  However, motorhomes are not allowed at Cottonwood Campground.

 

ATV's may not be used anywhere in the park.  

 

Drinking water is not available at the campground.  The ranger station at the parks entrance is the closest drinking water.  

 

Campfires are allowed in campground fire rings only.

 

Potable water is available at the visitor center in Twentynine Palms, at Black Rock and Cottonwood campgrounds, at the entrance station south of Joshua Tree, and at the Indian Cove ranger station.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS:

 

Visitor Information 760-367-5500

 

Park Headquarters 760-367-5502

 

Special-use Permits 760-367-5545

 

Overflow Parking is not available in the park. All overnight vehicles must be parked in a designated campsite.

 

It's really not the best park for road bicycling.  The parks primary roads do not have bike lanes and the road surface is to rough for road bikes.  Roads are winding, hilly, and without bike lanes.  In some areas the road has a curb that forces the road biker to ride in the road.   For mountain bikers, the park offers an extensive network of dirt roads that are less crowded and safer cycling than the paved roads.  Dirt roads are fine but, mountain bikers are usually looking for a bit more.

 

In Joshua Tree just about everything sticks, stings, bites or strikes.  Most of the plants have thorns.  The bees can also be aggressive.

 

Reservations can be made through www.recreation.gov.  

Also see the Indian Cove Group Sites.