Cottonwood Visitor Center
Facility · California ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Joshua Tree National Park (National Park) · Open Access
- 3,072 ft
- Elevation
Located on Pinto Basin Road, approximately 7 miles north of Interstate 10 (exit 168), the Cottonwood Visitor Center is a convenient stop for those entering and exiting the park from the south. It has educational exhibits, a bookstore, visitor resources, and restroom facilities. You can grab a park map, buy an entrance pass, fill up your water bottle, and chat with a park ranger to get all your questions answered.
Getting there
From I-10, take exit 168 for the Cottonwood Springs Rd. Enter Joshua Tree National Park at the South Entrance. Continue Cottonwood Springs Rd. for about 6 miles. Cottonwood Visitor Center will be on your right.
33.74851, -115.82408 · 33°44'54.6"N 115°49'26.7"W
Typical weather
Typically 103°F in Jul, down to 64°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 66 | 67 | 75 | 83 | 89 | 99 | 103 | 102 | 96 | 86 | 74 | 64 |
| Low °F | 40 | 42 | 46 | 51 | 58 | 66 | 74 | 75 | 68 | 56 | 46 | 40 |
| Precip in | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.6 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.4 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 Cottonwood Visitor Center
- Can you reserve a site at Cottonwood Visitor Center?
- No. Cottonwood Visitor Center is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near Cottonwood Visitor Center
- Cottonwood Group 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cottonwood Campground (Ca) 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Jumbo Rocks Campground 21.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sheep Pass Group 24.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ryan Campground 24.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Indian Cove Group 30.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Indian Cove Campground 31.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- White Tank Campground 19.8 mi · Facility
- Belle Campground 20.8 mi · Facility
- Hidden Valley Campground 26.9 mi · Facility
- Corn Springs Campground 29.8 mi · Campground
- Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mtns. National Monument 33.3 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone (760) 367-5500
- Email jotr_info@nps.gov
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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