A12
Joshua Tree National Park › California
› San Bernardino County
› Cottonwood Campground
› Campsite #A12
Campsite #A12 at Cottonwood Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA
$35
Campsite #A12
| Drive-In | 6 people |
| 20 ft | Back-In |
| 2 | weak |
2/24
2/26
Campsite #A12 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 20-foot driveway, Fire ring w/ Grill, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (25)
1.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 32% |
| 4 star | | 44% |
| 3 star | | 8% |
| 2 star | | 4% |
| 1 star | | 12% |
@ThomasS5574085 · Camped on Feb 6, 2026 at Campsite #A12
Our time here was awful for two reasons: 1) GENERATOR NOISE !! and 2) our campsite was so close to our neighbor that we could hear every word spoken by the neighbors. C'mon Park Service.. You have a perfect opportunity here: There are TWO LOOPS of campgrounds at Cottonwood. All you gotta do is close one of the loops to all generators to provide a place for those of us who would like to camp in peace and quiet. And i bet if you ever camped in some of these sites, you wouldn't squeeze them so close together.
@AshtonD4518279 · Camped on Jan 16, 2026 at Campsite #A12
Campsite was great. The star viewing was incredible in this part of the park. Campsite was spacious with plenty of level ground for the tent. The sites are close together, so bring some ear plugs if you want to be in bed early. The desert oasis hike connects to the campground and is a really pretty morning walk.
@KerstinK504ADF · Camped on Jun 21, 2024 at Campsite #A12
My husband and I arrived in the evening in June with our car and a tent at A12, our tent space. Back to back was a big family with 4 children talking and partying loudly. We could hear every single word of them. The second back-to-back spot was an RV that had a motor running. On the other campsites around people were grilling and the air was smelling. I knew that I would be mad the whole evening and the whole night about that and so we decided to drive home, 2 1/2 hours away. I get it, those people have a right to celebrate and party in the desert. My question is, - where is my right to smell clean air?- where is my right to have silence in the desert?- where is my right to have some privacy?Can the park not make two campgrounds, one that is for party people and the other one far away for people who love to listen to animal sounds at night, see the night sky, smell the fresh air, and be in silence, connect to nature and enjoy the silence?
@JacquelinA7448 · Camped on Apr 13, 2024 at Campsite #A12
Nice campground, a bit exposed to wind. Loved the night sky!
No Service
@MengqiZ4355790 · Camped on Dec 23, 2023 at Campsite #A12
Pretty remote campsite, minimum 45min drive from all most popular destinations in the park. This makes it great for stargazing. It gets a bit crowded and has less privacy compared to other campgrounds I've been to, and there's no light in the bathroom
No Service
@AlanS4569109 · Camped on Oct 5, 2023 at Campsite #A12
Spectacular setting, of course. Very good campsite. But my one criticism is that there were some rowdy, inconsiderate campers close by playing loud music etc. after dark. It may be too much to ask, given staffing shortages, that the park service supply a little more supervision.
@ArmandoE390912 · Camped on Apr 9, 2023 at Campsite #A12
The reviews were spot on. The space was great in our opinion (A12) as it had plenty of space for at least 2-3 tents (4-6 person size) with a grill and picnic table onsite. The bathroom was clean and only 30-50 yards away from our space and there was a water station nearby as well. It is a little away from the the other main trails (30-45 minute drive) as it is on the southside fo the park but it was quiet. The night was very peaceful and was perfect for star gazing. We took our dog with us on day 1 and camping as well but took her to a boarding the following morning so we can do the trails.
No Service
@HelenH23AE8A29 · Camped on Mar 31, 2023 at Campsite #A12
Beautiful, clean grounds, close to breathtaking hikes. Running water and toilet facilities. The very informative and genuine presentation in the evening about the Early Inhabitants of the land was a big bonus. Will definitely come here again!
@RebeccaC264620 · Camped on Mar 7, 2023 at Campsite #A12
Convenient to trails in the area.
@KathyM4352816 · Camped on Feb 16, 2023 at Campsite #A12
Had a great time. Easy access to Mastodon and Oasis hikes. Close to south entrance of park. Bathrooms clean with flushible toilets and well kept. Some people had their generators going after hours but generally it was lovely and quiet. I'd definitely come back and camp again. It is a drive to the rest of the park where the Joshua Trees are, but the drive is lovely with many scenic places and stops to check out.
No Service
@marinac2001331 · Camped on Jan 1, 2023 at Campsite #A12
Due to cold nights in January some campers sleep in their cars and run engines through the night. If you camp in a tent near such engine running car it is no fun at all.
@CEliseBA6B3B1E · Camped on Jun 29, 2022 at Campsite #A12
It's a hot time of year but we came in the evening, set up, had hours of amazing stargazing, then got up and took off before it got too hot. We could have stayed longer even with the heat with a nice shade structure and a well timed mid day rest. I loved cottonwood for the terrain, running water, and sky. I get altitude sick so this being lower was helpful. I'm guessing the sights feel pretty close together in the high season, but in summer we had plenty of room.
No Service
@QiweiM8C81DD73 · Camped on May 27, 2022 at Campsite #A12
The campsite and natural environment were absolutely breathtaking, we gazed at the stars and took multiple shots of the milky way.However, Korean group campers (30+ people) were super loud into the night, they talked for hours while almost everyone else was quiet. I would love to be there again. but hopefully without the loud neighbors!
No Service
@JonathanE40733 · Camped on May 12, 2022 at Campsite #A12
Great desert campsite! This campground is not centrally located in the park but is a good option if you want to enter from I-10 and explore the park after setting up camp. The sites are spaced a decent distance apart, but you can still see into some other sites and hear them from your site. On Thursday night, the campground was completely silent after sunset. On Friday night, people were talking loudly and slamming car doors until well after midnight. No cell service (Verizon) in the campground but you can find some 5-10 minutes away near the park entrance if absolutely necessary.
No Service
@MarcyFF8D46D5D · Camped on Apr 22, 2022 at Campsite #A12
Especially pleased with the cleanliness & stocking of the bathrooms. Appreciated the markings of trails and plants. More.
No Service
@DeannaH5556684 · Camped on Mar 18, 2022 at Campsite #A12
The campsite was great! Definitely a little cozy next to the other sites, and the ground is very tough to get any kind of stakes for your tent in, but the location was great and it was nice to be able to have a small pit fire!
No Service
@ErikaGFD67C26D · Camped on Mar 10, 2022 at Campsite #A12
I checked in and left. I had wanted to cancel but would have incurred a $25 fee. Sorry someone else couldnt use it. Cancelations should be free.
@AliceL752 · Camped on Jan 16, 2022 at Campsite #A12
beuatiful site at south entrance with easy access to the Cottonwood area for hiking.
Major Issues
@GeorgeC284 · Camped on Dec 19, 2021 at Campsite #A12
The RV generators were overwhelming. There were 2 - 5 running all the time.
We set up our tents and set up camp, put then pulled up stake and went and found a hotel room.
We set up our tents and set up camp, put then pulled up stake and went and found a hotel room.
Major Issues
@GuidoA610 · Camped on Nov 7, 2021 at Campsite #A12
Great campground. Best time while traveling the US
No Service
@LisaP525 · Camped on Oct 22, 2021 at Campsite #A12
Beautiful and clean .
@AmrikS809 · Camped on Jun 19, 2021 at Campsite #A12
Clean bathroom, campgrounds are fairly spaced out with water spouts within walking distance. Chose to go during a massive heat wave in California, but otherwise was a fantastic stay! Definitely bring a canopy as there is little to no shade(it is a desert!)
No Service
@TealH219 · Camped on Apr 25, 2021 at Campsite #A12
Absolutely incredible. We stayed here on a night of a full moon and it was so bright and beautiful. Honestly couldn’t have asked for a more peaceful experience. It was extremely windy but we had good stakes for our tent and the ground wasn’t too hard to nail into. Our dog loved it, too!
Some Coverage
@TiffaniB126 · Camped on Feb 26, 2021 at Campsite #A12
there was a group that partied with loud music until 3am on Friday night - a camp host could go a long ways to helping keep folks to the quiet hours
No Service
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