Indian Cove Campground

Campground · California · 97 bookable sites ·

Managed by the National Park Service

Joshua Tree National Park (National Park) · Open Access

97
Bookable sites
35 ft
Max rig length
up to 25
People per site
1
Accessible site
2,736 ft
Elevation
Rocks at Indian Cove, Joshua Tree National Park
Photo: Share the Experience, Melissa Tawney · Recreation.gov

Overview

Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more!

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 four campgrounds in the park that requires reservations 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 70-90 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.

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 and night photography.

Facilities

This large facility has 101 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 less than 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.

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.

Charges & Cancellations

Cancelling a Reservation:

Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation. 

Changing an Existing Reservation:

When changes are made prior to the cut-off window:

If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.

There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit the recreation fee for the day of departure.

There is no change fee if the customer wants to switch sites that are the same price with the same reservation dates in the same facility.

If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date. 

Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window

Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.

Group Campsites: Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.

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. 

No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night’s recreation fee for a campsite. 

*Note: the entire reservation will be cancelled for no-shows.

The facts

  • 97 bookable sites
  • 114 sites in total, including non-bookable
  • 1 accessible site
  • Vehicles up to 35 ft
  • Up to 25 people per site
  • Loops: Group Area, Indian Cove Campground

Site types

  • 52 Standard Nonelectric
  • 45 Tent Only Nonelectric
  • 17 Management

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Pets allowed
  • Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, grills, shade.

Book on Recreation.gov

114 campsites at Indian Cove Campground

Check-in 12:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeAccessMax rigPeople
G01Group AreaManagement————25 ft25 🐾
G02Group AreaManagement————25 ft25 🐾
G03Group AreaManagement————25 ft15 🐾
G04Group AreaManagement————25 ft25 🐾
G05Group AreaManagement————25 ft20 🐾
G06Group AreaManagement————25 ft20 🐾
G07Group AreaManagement————25 ft20 🐾
G08Group AreaManagement————25 ft25 🐾
G09Group AreaManagement————25 ft15 🐾
G10Group AreaManagement————25 ft20 🐾
G11Group AreaManagement————25 ft20 🐾
G12Group AreaManagement————25 ft20 🐾
G13Group AreaManagement————25 ft20 🐾
001Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightDrive In18 ft4♿ 🐾
002Indian Cove CampgroundStandard Nonelectric—GravelModerateDrive In—6 🐾
003Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In20 ft6 🐾
004Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricParallelGravelSlightDrive In—4 🐾
005Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricParallelGravelSlightDrive In—6 🐾
006Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In18 ft6 🐾
007Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In25 ft6 🐾
008Indian Cove CampgroundManagementParallelGravelSlightDrive In—2 🐾
009Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—4 🐾
010Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—6 🐾
011 Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—4 🐾
012Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—6 🐾
013Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelModerateHike In22 ft6 🐾
014Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In18 ft6 🐾
015Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricParallelGravelSlightDrive In—4 🐾
016Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—4 🐾
017Indian Cove CampgroundStandard Nonelectric—GravelSlightDrive In—4 🐾
018Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelModerateHike In—6 🐾
019Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—6 🐾
020Indian Cove CampgroundStandard Nonelectric—GravelSlightDrive In18 ft6 🐾
021Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In32 ft6 🐾
022Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In35 ft6 🐾
023Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—4 🐾
024 Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In18 ft4 🐾
025Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In23 ft4 🐾
026Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In18 ft4 🐾
027 Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricParallelGravelSlightDrive In24 ft4 🐾
028Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—4 🐾
029Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel—Hike In—6 🐾
030 Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—6 🐾
031Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightHike In—6 🐾
032Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—6 🐾
033Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—6 🐾
034Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—6 🐾
035Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In27 ft6 🐾
036Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—6 🐾
037Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In21 ft4 🐾
038Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric—GravelSevereDrive In—6 🐾
039Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSevereDrive In—4 🐾
040Indian Cove CampgroundManagementParallelGravelSevereDrive In—4 🐾
041Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—6 🐾
042Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—4 🐾
043Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightHike In21 ft6 🐾
044Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric—GravelSlightHike In—6 🐾
045Indian Cove CampgroundStandard Nonelectric—GravelSlightDrive In—4 🐾
046Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric—GravelModerateDrive In—6 🐾
047Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravelModerateDrive In—4 🐾
048Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In24 ft6 🐾
049Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In18 ft6 🐾
050Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—6 🐾
051Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightHike In—6 🐾
052Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In17 ft6 🐾
053Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack In—Slight—25 ft6 🐾
054Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—4 🐾
055Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—4 🐾
056Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—4 🐾
057Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—4 🐾
058Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—4 🐾
059Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In20 ft6 🐾
060Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—6 🐾
061Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In28 ft6 🐾
062Indian Cove CampgroundManagementBack InGravelSlightDrive In25 ft6 🐾
063Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—4 🐾
064Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—6 🐾
065Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—6 🐾
066Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—4 🐾
067Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—4 🐾
068Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—4 🐾
069Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—4 🐾
070Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—6 🐾
071 Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—4 🐾
072Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—4 🐾
073Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—4 🐾
074Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric———Drive In—4 🐾
075Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—Drive In18 ft4 🐾
076Indian Cove CampgroundManagementBack InGravelSlightDrive In25 ft6 🐾
077Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In18 ft4 🐾
078Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricParallelGravel—Drive In—6 🐾
079Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricParallelGravel—Drive In—4 🐾
080Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricParallelGravel—Drive In—4 🐾
081Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In18 ft6 🐾
082Indian Cove CampgroundStandard Nonelectric—Gravel—Drive In—6 🐾
083Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricParallelGravel—Drive In—6 🐾
084Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In—2 🐾
085Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricParallelGravel—Drive In—6 🐾
086Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricParallelGravel—Drive In—6 🐾
087Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravel———6 🐾
088Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightDrive In21 ft6 🐾
089 Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric—Gravel—Drive In—6 🐾
090Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel—Drive In—6 🐾
091Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack In——Drive In—4 🐾
092Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel—Drive In—4 🐾
093Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel—Drive In—2 🐾
094Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—Drive In18 ft4 🐾
095Indian Cove CampgroundStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—Drive In18 ft4 🐾
096Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric—Gravel—Drive In—6 🐾
097Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric—Gravel—Drive In—6 🐾
098Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric—Gravel—Drive In—6 🐾
099Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric—Gravel—Drive In—6 🐾
100Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only Nonelectric—Gravel—Drive In—6 🐾
101Indian Cove CampgroundTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel—Drive In—6 🐾

Getting there

Take Interstate 10 to State Highway 62. Go past the West Entrance at Park Boulevard and continue east another 9.3 miles. 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.

34.12000, -116.15583 · 34°7'12.0"N 116°9'21.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in0.81.10.50.20.00.00.30.40.30.20.20.7

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.5 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 Indian Cove Campground

Can you reserve a site at Indian Cove Campground?
Yes, Indian Cove Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Indian Cove Campground have?
114 sites in total, of which 97 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Indian Cove Campground?
35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Indian Cove Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Indian Cove Campground.
Does Indian Cove Campground have hookups?
No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Indian Cove Campground?
Campfires are allowed at Indian Cove Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Indian Cove Campground

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-07-21.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.