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Joshua Tree National Park › California
› San Bernardino County
› Jumbo Rocks Campground
› Campsite #16
Campsite #16 at Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA
$30
Tent Site #16
| Drive-In | 6 people |
| 2 | weak |
8/28
8/31
Campsite #16 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, Fire ring w/ Grill, Picnic Table, Tent Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (16)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 75% |
| 4 star | | 19% |
| 3 star | | 6% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@KristinaKE43DF · Camped on Apr 5, 2025 at Campsite #16
There are a lot of good sites at this campground but this is one of the best. Site 16 is flat and open with brush around the perimeter and a great rock wall the site backs up to, perfect for our kids (4,7, and 8 years old) to rock scramble on. We had two campsites but decided to consolidate the two tents (a 10 person and 6 person tent) onto this site and there was still enough room to put another tent (not that you're supposed to...)The only con was that the bathroom was around the bushes and we'd occasionally get a whiff of it, but it was fleeting and didn't deter from the overall experience.
@CarlH7311691 · Camped on Mar 5, 2025 at Campsite #16
Great spot. It was extremely windy so watch weather reports for high winds.
@ChristinaC3597 · Camped on Dec 23, 2024 at Campsite #16
I loved this campground and site 16. The surrounding rocks provided some privacy and sunrise views were amazing. I also enjoyed watching the birds. Nearby campers were quiet and polite. One even left me extra firewood when they left! There were a few cons. Folks hiking the Skull Rock trail pass through the campground. So, folks are walking by all day long. Also, I had hoped that the rock wall beside my site would help reduce wind. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case. One night it was so windy none of the sites were able to safely get fires going to help warm up. Finally, I was hoping for some good night photography. However, the western horizon was quite bright throughout the night and there was quite a bit of air traffic. That's what I get for being so close to a major city!
@DirkSBC35D33AE · Camped on Oct 22, 2024 at Campsite #16
wonderful place
@Elizabeth20437 · Camped on Sep 23, 2024 at Campsite #16
loved it! this campsite is very spacious and it has a little nook inside the rocks by the firepit for some well needed shade! lots of cute critters running around the area. the skull rock trail goes past this site so easy access to trails!
@LaurenM8658949 · Camped on Jun 7, 2024 at Campsite #16
Excellent campground. Clean bathroom and well maintained sites. Enjoyed our time even in excessive heat. Will definitely stay again.
@CailiW10229CC4 · Camped on Apr 2, 2024 at Campsite #16
#16 - a very large and fairly private spot next to some awesome rocks!
@AnnieGC44D67BF · Camped on May 30, 2023 at Campsite #16
Had an amazing time! The campground is right by the Skull Rock Trail which is definitely a must-see. We were campsite #16 and had a ton of space, beautiful view, and privacy! Not to mention the stars at night - insane! Would love to come back some day.
@MelodyK74EB636 · Camped on May 12, 2023 at Campsite #16
Great rocks to climb all over. Beautiful spring flowers. Night sky is remarkable.
@AshtenW840 · Camped on Sep 6, 2021 at Campsite #16
Had a great camping experience at site 16. If you set your tent up close enough to the rock you will gain some extra shade time before the sun comes shining in.
@AmyT720 · Camped on May 17, 2021 at Campsite #16
Jumbo Rocks, Campsite #16:
PROS: Large & spacious; Probably the largest campsite in Jumbo Rocks campground; Easily can fit two 10-person tents with space to spare; Fire pit is against the large boulder with a ledge for sitting; the boulder creates a shade early morning (before 7am in mid-May); Private and parking is right next/in front of campsite; Bathroom is separated from campsite by a large bush; The large bush creates a shaded area during early afternoon through evening (after 2pm during mid-May); BBQ grill close to the fire pit with picnic table in between; Relatively flat grounds (slight angles in certain area); small pebbles and sand is around the entire campsite
CONS: Slight breeze brings constant smell of bathroom into campsite (bathroom too close); High Bee activity - when they clean the bathrooms, the water left attracts the bees and makes them swarm the bathrooms where entry is risky (even with a bee station in the bushes); small pebbles on the campsite ground makes every footstep loud and audible; only allows 1 car parking for that campsite, which relative to size (being the largest campsite) does not make sense; squirrel holes all over the campground (aggressive scavengers that approached us anytime we were cooking and eating; tore up our trash bag with recycling in it while we went to find bathrooms that were not hoarded over with bee swarms after they were cleaned -15-20 min window).
In May, 2021, Park Rangers did not personally verify campsite campers. When we arrived, campers were still in our campsite and we had to prove our reservations to them to make them leave. They left without apologies within an hour's time, but they had a large Husky canine, which probably added to the urine smell that overtook the campsite. Will not choose this campsite location again. Campsite #12 was much better.
PROS: Large & spacious; Probably the largest campsite in Jumbo Rocks campground; Easily can fit two 10-person tents with space to spare; Fire pit is against the large boulder with a ledge for sitting; the boulder creates a shade early morning (before 7am in mid-May); Private and parking is right next/in front of campsite; Bathroom is separated from campsite by a large bush; The large bush creates a shaded area during early afternoon through evening (after 2pm during mid-May); BBQ grill close to the fire pit with picnic table in between; Relatively flat grounds (slight angles in certain area); small pebbles and sand is around the entire campsite
CONS: Slight breeze brings constant smell of bathroom into campsite (bathroom too close); High Bee activity - when they clean the bathrooms, the water left attracts the bees and makes them swarm the bathrooms where entry is risky (even with a bee station in the bushes); small pebbles on the campsite ground makes every footstep loud and audible; only allows 1 car parking for that campsite, which relative to size (being the largest campsite) does not make sense; squirrel holes all over the campground (aggressive scavengers that approached us anytime we were cooking and eating; tore up our trash bag with recycling in it while we went to find bathrooms that were not hoarded over with bee swarms after they were cleaned -15-20 min window).
In May, 2021, Park Rangers did not personally verify campsite campers. When we arrived, campers were still in our campsite and we had to prove our reservations to them to make them leave. They left without apologies within an hour's time, but they had a large Husky canine, which probably added to the urine smell that overtook the campsite. Will not choose this campsite location again. Campsite #12 was much better.
@NgaT956 · Camped on May 10, 2021 at Campsite #16
Lots of bees around the campsite and restrooms. As long as you leave the bees alone, they won't bite. We didn't get bit once while using the restroom with them flying around us. We had a swarm of bees around our campsite in the late afternoon. We started a little camp fire hoping the smoke would get them to go away but it didn't really help. The only choice we had was to wait for the sun to set. Beware of squirrels. We stored our food in storage box with a lid but it had a hole on both sides as handles--the squirrels were still able to get in and eat some of our food while we stepped away from our campsite. Definitely need a durable plastic box with no holes to keep them out next time. Bring a canopy for shade (at least 1); barely no shade during the day time.
@WilsonC178 · Camped on May 5, 2021 at Campsite #16
Clean and well-kept campground
@ChristianM580 · Camped on Apr 11, 2021 at Campsite #16
Great Campground. I have stayed at a few of the Joshua Tree campgrounds and this one is my favorite. The kids love climbing the rocks and the sunsets are amazing. Campgrounds are well maintained. Even though there are no flush toilets, the rangers keep the pit toilets clean and tidy. Definitely a great place to bring the family. Just bring a lot of water.
@lauraB980 · Camped on Mar 7, 2021 at Campsite #16
Kids loved climbing the rocks while we setup camp!
@AngieP422 · Camped on Feb 26, 2021 at Campsite #16
Large campsite ideal for the maximum people and tents. It felt very private. The only downside is that it has only one parking space. A friendly neighbor camping solo let our second car park in one of his two parking spaces.
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