How is Joshua Tree camping (first come, first served) during Coachella?

April 6, 2016 10:10 AM

We're a non-Coachella family group looking to camp that weekend someplace spectacular within ~2hrs of LA. What are the Joshua Tree camping spots around Jumbo Rocks like during the festival? I understand the reserved spots are sold out months in advance, but that's normal for JT any time of year, correct? During the festival, is it mostly a festival crowd? Or too far away to be much affected? Bonus Q = will traffic out of LA on the 105 & 60/Pomona be crazy beyond normal around noon that Friday?
posted by cocoagirl to Travel & Transportation around Joshua Tree, CA (2 answers total)

I can't tell you a thing about Coachella, but I've spent quality time camping in Joshua Tree. That time of year is high season for climbers, and all desert-lovers.

The only reservation sites in Josh are the group sites in Sheep Pass, which do go early. All the other campgrounds are first-come first-served.

Jumbo is the largest campground, but like any campground it will be full on Friday night, guaranteed. You might be able to get a site if you get there in the morning, and nab one right as someone is leaving, but for the most part they will be full. It would be a bad plan to show up on a Friday night without a backup.

Traffic on the 60 -- I used to head up on Friday nights from San Diego -- is often sluggish but you'll get there ... sometime. Can get slow going over the hills.
posted by Dashy at 1:00 PM on April 6, 2016

The only reservation sites in Josh are the group sites in Sheep Pass, which do go early. All the other campgrounds are first-come first-served.

Not correct: Indian Cove and Black Rock campgrounds are also on the reservation system.

http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/indian-cove-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70952

http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/black-rock-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70953

Indian Cove is nice, but Black Rock is kind of a parking lot, in my opinion.
posted by soylent00FF00 at 5:32 PM on April 6, 2016