Black Rock Equestrian Campground
Campground · California · 21 bookable sites ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Joshua Tree National Park (National Park) · Open Access
- 21
- Bookable sites
- 35 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 6
- People per site
- 4,046 ft
- Elevation
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.
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.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.
Contact Info
This location is staffed. Please call (760) 367-3001 to speak with local staff.The facts
- 21 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 35 ft
- Up to 6 people per site
- Loops: Horse Sites
Site types
- 21 Equestrian Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills, shade.
21 campsites at Black Rock Equestrian Campground
Check-in 12:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equestrian NonElectric | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | 35 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| H01 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H02 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H03 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H04 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H05 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H06 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H07 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H08 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H09 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H10 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H11 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H12 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H13 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H14 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H15 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H16 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H17 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H18 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H19 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | |
| H20 | Horse Sites | Equestrian Nonelectric | — | — | — | — |
Getting there
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.
34.07167, -116.38917 · 34°4'18.0"N 116°23'21.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 96°F in Jul, down to 58°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 58 | 61 | 67 | 73 | 82 | 91 | 96 | 96 | 89 | 80 | 66 | 58 |
| Low °F | 38 | 39 | 40 | 47 | 52 | 59 | 66 | 68 | 60 | 50 | 41 | 34 |
| Precip in | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.9 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Black Rock Equestrian Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Black Rock Equestrian Campground?
- Yes, Black Rock Equestrian Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Black Rock Equestrian Campground have?
- 21 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Black Rock Equestrian Campground?
- 35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Black Rock Equestrian Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Black Rock Equestrian Campground.
- Are campfires allowed at Black Rock Equestrian Campground?
- Campfires are allowed at Black Rock Equestrian Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Black Rock Equestrian Campground
- Black Rock Campground less than 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Indian Cove Group 13.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Indian Cove Campground 13.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ryan Campground 14.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sheep Pass Group 16.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Jumbo Rocks Campground 19.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Juniper Springs Group Camp 21.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Black Rock Nature Center 0.1 mi · Facility
- Joshua Tree Visitor Center 6 mi · Facility
- Hidden Valley Campground 13.5 mi · Facility
- Coon Creek Cabin Group Campground 19.1 mi · Campground
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway 20.7 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 760-367-5554
- Email cynthia_libby@nps.gov
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-07-10.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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