A31
Joshua Tree National Park › California
› San Bernardino County
› Cottonwood Campground
› Campsite #A31
Campsite #A31 at Cottonwood Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA
$35
Campsite #A31
| Drive-In | 6 people |
| 40 ft | Parallel |
| 2 | poor |
2/26
2/27
Campsite #A31 Features: Drive-In access, Parallel parking, 40-foot driveway, Fire ring w/ Grill, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (25)
3.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 60% |
| 4 star | | 24% |
| 3 star | | 12% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 4% |
@CherylM3564547 · Camped on Jun 22, 2025 at Campsite #A31
It's an okay place for astrophotography but the annoyance of people arriving late into the night with full headlights for long periods of time reduces my rating to just good.
No Service
@SusanK2706776 · Camped on Apr 11, 2025 at Campsite #A31
We loved our stay here! We had tent site A31. We loved the site, not too close to neighbors, plenty of space to spread out. The site had a picnic table and first ring. The bathroom wasnt a far walk and had flush toilets and cold water sinks (no lights at night as an FYI, bring a headlamp!). Trash and recycling spots were provided. We loved having trail access at the campground too. I would definitely stay here again.
No Service
@BrianM6776107 · Camped on Feb 13, 2025 at Campsite #A31
A perfect weekend of solitude in a pristine part of California!
No Service
@Hugos8D2DF72AC · Camped on Dec 30, 2024 at Campsite #A31
Beautiful and peaceful. Being at the southern most part of the park had it's good and bad. The good, is that you do not have to deal with any of the traffic or tons of visitors. The bad is that it's a good 30-40 minute drive to see the "good stuff." But I would stay here again.
No Service
@RichardJ3D539F · Camped on Dec 10, 2024 at Campsite #A31
Nice place. We were there 3 nights. Only problem was for 2 nights there a drastically oversized RV nearby. They did not really fit into the spot. They ran an incredibly loud generator (within hours but absurdly loud), they let their dog run free, their music was blaring, and they left dogshit all over their site. NPS should consider enforcing the rules and forbidding generators.
No Service
@RichS5238453 · Camped on Nov 6, 2024 at Campsite #A31
We enjoyed our stay at Cottonwood. It was nice and quiet, mostly because it was nearly empty the first two nights. Empty despite it being "full" on the reservation system. There were maybe 10-15% of those paid for reservations being used, and maybe 50% usage for Friday night. I find it sad that the reservation process allows so many sites to go unused.Cottonwood is different from the "main" portion of JTNP, and does not have joshua trees. I would have preferred to be in one of the other campsites, but they were also "full".
No Service
No Service
@BrianK71DDFF52 · Camped on Nov 3, 2024 at Campsite #A31
We have a 24 ft Class B RV and it barely fit, so we were good, but if you have something larger, check the map to ensure that youll fit. Our goal was to hike and there are some great trails that are in walking distance from the campsite. We were there in early November, and the temps were great for hiking. A bit cool (40s) at night. A low pressure went through, so it was constantly windy. We never saw any park rangers other personnel. But we did see our name and campsite posted on a sign at the entrance to the camp. In addition to the camping fee, theres a fee to enter the park, but there was nobody at the entrance to collect it. Perhaps they dont collect the fee in the winter, just a guess.
No Service
@JohnB8383631 · Camped on Feb 4, 2024 at Campsite #A31
On a 1100 mile road trip from Northern California we camped 2 nights in the Cottonwood campground in our RV. On the 2nd day I took the interesting Cottonwood Spring Nature Trail. Along the way I encountered 2 friendly Lithuanians who were visiting this country. We hiked together to Mastodon Peak and the spring and I learned a lot from them about Lithuania and lasers (their professional expertise). It was a great international encounter and we all learned a lot about the area from the posted signs and marveled at the incredible rock formations.
No Service
@BrentB9407750 · Camped on May 27, 2023 at Campsite #A31
Very clean restrooms and camp sites.
A couple of well maintained hiking trails starting at camp.
Sites somewhat close without much trees or bushes to separate (but its the desert, so expected)
Nearby water and sewage hookups, so you can expect some noisy RV “campers” with generators.
A couple of well maintained hiking trails starting at camp.
Sites somewhat close without much trees or bushes to separate (but its the desert, so expected)
Nearby water and sewage hookups, so you can expect some noisy RV “campers” with generators.
No Service
@JoanneS5736173 · Camped on Apr 30, 2023 at Campsite #A31
Our stay at A31 was wonderful once the weather cooled off in the early evening. It was the last day in April and that weekend had a heat wave with daytime temps at 90+. If we had to do it over again, we would have arrived later after 4pm. There wasn’t any cover so we spent a couple of hours at the day use picnic area where there was shade and ate lunch. Then, we set up our tent around 2pm and it was just so unbearably hot. We should have faced the tent entrance towards the incoming wind. We ended up sitting in our vehicle until 5ish when it finally started to get cool outside. The area by the fire pit was a bit sloped so we do not recommend placing a tent there. We found another area off to the side that’s open and flat. The campsite was clean and welcoming. The bathrooms were also clean and we recommend bringing a towel to dry your hands and a flashlight because there are no paper towels and lights inside. We would definitely come back to Cottonwood. The sunset and sunrise views were amazing. It was peaceful and quiet.
No Service
@RobertH1222975 · Camped on Apr 9, 2023 at Campsite #A31
Cottonwood cg was great. Removed from all the humanity on the north side of the park. A big plus for those of us who want to be away from people.
No Service
@AmyW6150907 · Camped on Jan 7, 2023 at Campsite #A31
Campground was clean. We were in a relatively secluded site so didnt feel like we were in our neighbors business. We enjoyed the stillness of the evening and the coyotes howling during the night. Great experience.
No Service
@ElyjahZDCD4508 · Camped on Jan 6, 2023 at Campsite #A31
This campground was amazing. Seeing the sunrise over the desert mountains was a treasure. The campground was peaceful, but the sites were a little close together. The weather was amazing and I barely missed the rain. I will definitely come back here, especially because of the campgrounds proximity to the lost oasis trail (which was amazing).
No Service
@geraldine18E07 · Camped on Nov 22, 2022 at Campsite #A31
We always love it there. We love the walk from the campground to the Oasis.
Major Issues
@FrancisE4E682B · Camped on Nov 8, 2022 at Campsite #A31
The sites are small without much privacy. There is a nice restroom with flush toilets and running water, which is a big plus.
No Service
@ShawnT8362045 · Camped on Mar 15, 2022 at Campsite #A31
Great spot
@ChadDF401674C3 · Camped on Mar 2, 2022 at Campsite #A31
Be ready for some beautiful star gazing at night!
@JulieS4767669 · Camped on Feb 17, 2022 at Campsite #A31
Camp site was to small for our RV. We had to go and camp on BML land 8 miles down the road. We have a 35 feet RV.
@CindyC3653513 · Camped on Jan 23, 2022 at Campsite #A31
We stayed in A31 for one night. Campground was nice and quiet during the night. Flush toilets and running water are a luxury. Most campers here had RV campers, didnt see many tents.
No Service
@CindyC783 · Camped on Jan 23, 2022 at Campsite #A31
We stayed in A31 for one night. Campground was nice and quiet during the night. Flush toilets and running water are a luxury. Most campers here had RV campers, didn’t see many tents.
No Service
@JimE585 · Camped on Jan 18, 2022 at Campsite #A31
First of all we love this park. Cottonwood Campground is a great location for larger rigs but it also comes with uneven or sloped sites which makes it more difficult to level larger rigs. I think if the description of each site were to include elevation changes it would help immensely. Also a few more pictures of each site would be helpful. We were pleasantly surprised to have 2 of the park rangers drop by and take an interest in our coach. It was lovely to talk to them.
The trails were wonderful and well marked for the most part. Overall a wonderful experience and we will be back.
Jim & Gail Ellis
The trails were wonderful and well marked for the most part. Overall a wonderful experience and we will be back.
Jim & Gail Ellis
No Service
@JimE8696380 · Camped on Jan 18, 2022 at Campsite #A31
First of all we love this park. Cottonwood Campground is a great location for larger rigs but it also comes with uneven or sloped sites which makes it more difficult to level larger rigs. I think if the description of each site were to include elevation changes it would help immensely. Also a few more pictures of each site would be helpful. We were pleasantly surprised to have 2 of the park rangers drop by and take an interest in our coach. It was lovely to talk to them.The trails were wonderful and well marked for the most part. Overall a wonderful experience and we will be back.Jim & Gail Ellis
No Service
@JenniferU928 · Camped on Oct 22, 2021 at Campsite #A31
Nice sites, clean restrooms, great location.
No Service
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