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Joshua Tree National Park › California
› San Bernardino County
› Indian Cove Campground
› Campsite #39
Campsite #39 at Indian Cove Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA
$35
Tent Site #39
| Drive-In | 4 people |
| 19 ft | Back-In |
| 2 | weak |
3/5
3/10
Campsite #39 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 19-foot driveway, Fire ring, Picnic Table, Tent Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (25)
4.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 56% |
| 4 star | | 28% |
| 3 star | | 16% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@MichaelB697476 · Camped on Dec 22, 2025 at Campsite #39
Amazing background- pitch your tent with a backdrop of gigantic boulders. I dont think there was potable water at campground-so be sure to bring water
Some Coverage
@KristinS310851 · Camped on Nov 4, 2025 at Campsite #39
Amazing campground! Felt like we were tucked into our own little enclave of rocks with a lot of privacy (the campground was not crowded, so the privacy was partly due to that). Beautiful park and campground for early November!
@ChrisB5203459 · Camped on Sep 16, 2025 at Campsite #39
Great campsite! Exiting to experience a rainstorm in the desert. Really nice to be there off season. Had the place to ourselves, pretty much. So few folks there it was kinda creepy the first night. We took our tent down while we were gone for the day. A lot of wind during the storm and can not stake down in the hard pack, unable to find large rocks. We were able to use ropes to tie off on the table and firepit. Bring rope!! Loved being amongst the rocks. So great to wake up early pre-dawn and watch the light emerge on the rocks. Easy access to nearby stores and towns from this location.
Some Coverage
@ColinWFDE7972D · Camped on Jul 16, 2025 at Campsite #39
I won't write a public review
@BarrieP4DCE022 · Camped on Dec 27, 2024 at Campsite #39
One of the best campgrounds I've ever stayed at. There are ample bouldering opportunities, and both sunset and sunrise and the stars were phenomenal. We also stayed at Ryan Campground, and while it's a cool experience to be in the center of the park, this site was really a unique and amazing experience. Unforgettable, and would recommend to anyone.
@DonnaT8114851 · Camped on Mar 27, 2024 at Campsite #39
I didnt know beforehand that the site would not work for our trailer so that was a bit tricky when we got there.
Some Coverage
@TomM3609852 · Camped on Feb 27, 2024 at Campsite #39
Had a great time. Campsites were clean and orderly. Rangers were all helpful. We did day trips to Ryan Ranch, the Dam Trail. At Cottonwood we hiked to Lost Palms Oasis. All great. Can't wait to go back.
@JasperSA60AFB2 · Camped on Jun 7, 2023 at Campsite #39
Best because the camp site is surrounded by large rocks but no water is available in entire camp site.
Some Coverage
@JillT3540084 · Camped on May 19, 2023 at Campsite #39
AMAZING campground, tucked away from the rest of the park, so quiet and peaceful! The views were spectacular!
@LeticiaM750359 · Camped on Apr 16, 2023 at Campsite #39
Beautiful view lots to see! My only issue was no water on site 😢
@DavidH4978786 · Camped on Apr 6, 2023 at Campsite #39
We had enough room to set up 2 tents. The rock face provided good shade in the Spring. Beautiful landscape. It was fairly private, some kooks drive by to fast. Toilets are good enough.
@SarahD2854125 · Camped on Apr 14, 2022 at Campsite #39
Absolutely perfect campground. Vault toilets and no running water- fill up at the ranger station on your way in.
@PaulaF4689391 · Camped on Apr 4, 2022 at Campsite #39
Great experience, beautiful camp site would definitely recommend.
@JulieG2507232 · Camped on Mar 24, 2022 at Campsite #39
Spot 39 is not very level. We had to do some Macguyver moves to get our van level enough to sleep in. However, the campground is well taken care of and very nice. As with most NP campground, it was primitive with vault toilets.
@ClaireL6B43C94 · Camped on Feb 27, 2022 at Campsite #39
Beautiful setting under the rocks, a lot of space and privacy. Even if the campground was full, it was very quiet, everything was perfect
@CarleyW3028317 · Camped on Jan 28, 2022 at Campsite #39
Secluded sites tucked into coves of beautiful rock formations. Farther from the main attractions than other campgrounds but worth the short drive. Wouldnt recommend the hikes near this campground, but still giving it 5 stars! Gorgeous scenery, perfect for star-gazing. Go to Hidden Valley area for hikes and day use.
@PriscillaT824 · Camped on Nov 7, 2021 at Campsite #39
Site #39 was very spacious and had a huge empty expanse in front to watch the effects of sunrise/sunset. Huge jackrabbit passed along and some fun cholla cactus contrasts with the big red boulders. However, it was nearly impossible to find a level space for my tiny 2-person tent.
One warning that the camp toilet was so rank that you could smell it several feet away. An attempt was made to air it out but that probably made it much worse. Luckily there are plenty of big boulders to duck behind as an alternative but make sure to leave no trace!
One warning that the camp toilet was so rank that you could smell it several feet away. An attempt was made to air it out but that probably made it much worse. Luckily there are plenty of big boulders to duck behind as an alternative but make sure to leave no trace!
Some Coverage
@JennyM192 · Camped on Oct 14, 2021 at Campsite #39
Just wish we could have found a reservation for a second night.
@ScottB535 · Camped on Oct 4, 2021 at Campsite #39
Site was relatively quiet and has some shade. Not a level spot in the site so come prepared and be creative.
@JasperH796 · Camped on Aug 16, 2021 at Campsite #39
Went in the summer with a friend who had little camping experience.
I was ready and able to manage desert camping in the summer, my companion not so much, leading me to call the trip off one night early to prevent an ER visit for dehydration.
Indian Cove makes a beautiful and in the summer, very quiet campground that makes you feel like it is entirely your own. Very funky rock formations are very interesting by moonlight as it casts very different shadows compared to the sun. Beautiful campground, a touch of litter here and there but nothing that's not fixed by picking up after you leave.
Only marks against the site is that it has no roads to the rest of the park and you need to drive out and back in.
I was ready and able to manage desert camping in the summer, my companion not so much, leading me to call the trip off one night early to prevent an ER visit for dehydration.
Indian Cove makes a beautiful and in the summer, very quiet campground that makes you feel like it is entirely your own. Very funky rock formations are very interesting by moonlight as it casts very different shadows compared to the sun. Beautiful campground, a touch of litter here and there but nothing that's not fixed by picking up after you leave.
Only marks against the site is that it has no roads to the rest of the park and you need to drive out and back in.
No Service
@JohnS216 · Camped on Mar 25, 2021 at Campsite #39
The rock climbing is fun. The campsites are spread out. The wind here made it difficult to camp in a tent. The location of this campground is convenient if you need to go to the store real fast.
Some Coverage
@BrookeB937 · Camped on Mar 11, 2021 at Campsite #39
really cool spot! i should have brought my climbing shoes
@GloriaG5F3158E · Camped on Nov 3, 2020 at Campsite #39
The campground is on the edge of the park, so it was easy for our late arrival and early departure. We were blessed with quiet and respectful neighbors who managed their fire well (not too smokey). The kangaroo rats in our campsite were fun to watch. We also heard owls.
@JimY9D76F59017 · Camped on Jan 16, 2020 at Campsite #39
During a trip to Joshua Tree National Park in January, 2020, we spent three nights at Indian Cove Campground. The campground setting is spectacular, situated in the midst of one of the massive boulder outcrop groupings in this part of the Park. The campsites are reasonably well spaced, with many set close to the rocks. Restrooms are vault toilets, but the best maintained we have seen in any Park. One of the most memorable parts of our stay at Indian Cove, however, was not the beauty of the location, (which we expected based on our pre-trip research), but the professional and welcoming attitude of Beny, the Campground Host(ess). She was a frequent presence around the Campground in her white Chevy pickup, and was always helpful and friendly. Jim and Jean Y.
@BradleyCB8A6F8 · Camped on Dec 31, 2019 at Campsite #39
The snow up in the park with the trees and rocks made for a beautiful backdrop that was unique for Joshua Tree and camping in Indian Cove (where we could set up without having snow to shovel or extra padding to bring and put down) was excellent. The bouldering and trails from camp were phenomenal and the stars were like fireworks across the night sky. Overall, a great place to stay.
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