Cottonwood Campground

Cottonwood Campground

The Cottonwood Campground is campground located in Joshua Tree National Park in San Bernardino, California. Reservations are required only during the busy season from September to May.

The campground is host of 62 campsites with tables, fire rings and vault toilets. The Campground is near the Cottonwood Visitor Center in the southeast part of the park. The closest metropolitan area is Indio about 30 miles away.

Joshua Tree National Park is a fantastic destination for those interested in Outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, bouldering, star-gazing, flowers and wildlife viewing. There are many historic sites in Joshua Tree National Park.

Because of the park’s very dry climate, fire danger in Joshua Tree is almost always very high. Be cautious. Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings or grills that are found in park campgrounds or picnic areas. Keep fires small. Bring your own firewood. You may not gather park vegetation, whether living or dead, to fuel your campfire. If you plan to have a campfire, bring extra water to douse it thoroughly.

Campground Summary

Name Cottonwood Campground
LocationJoshua Tree National Park,
San Bernardino, California
Latitude, Longitude33.7426154,-115.8170727
Elevation3000 feet
Number of Sites62
AmenitiesTables, fire rings

Campground Map

The campground is near the South Entrance near Cottonwood Spring. There is an access point along Interstate 10 about 25 miles east of Indio, California. The Campground is off of Pinto Basin Road, next to The Cottonwood Visitor Center.

References

Black Rock Canyon Campground

Black Rock Canyon Campground
Black Rock Canyon Campground

Black Rock Canyon Campground is a large campground with 99 campsites located in the northwest corner of the Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park is a fantastic destination for those interested in Outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, bouldering, star-gazing, flowers and wildlife viewing. There are many historic sites in Joshua Tree National Park.

Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring with rest rooms and water nearby. Campsites vary in size and can accommodate both tents and RVs. A day-use picnic area and a dump station are also available.

For horse owners, a separate area is provided for camping or for staging a ride.

Because of the park’s very dry climate, fire danger in Joshua Tree is almost always very high. Be cautious. Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings or grills that are found in park campgrounds or picnic areas. Keep fires small.

Bring your own firewood. You may not gather park vegetation, whether living or dead, to fuel your campfire. If you plan to have a campfire, bring extra water to douse it thoroughly.

Campground Summary

NameBlack Rock Canyon Campground
Location Joshua Tree National Park,
San Bernardino, California
Latitude, Longitude34.0733332,-116.3919464
Number of Sites99
Elevation4.030 feet
AmenitiesFire Rings, Tables, Flush Toilets, Water, Dump Station

Campground Map

References

Hidden Valley Campground

Hidden Valley Campground is location on Joshua Tree National Park
Hidden Valley Campground is location on Joshua Tree National Park

The Hidden Valley Campground is an established year round campground location in Joshua Tree National Park in California. Joshua Tree National Park is a fantastic destination for those interested in Outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, bouldering, star-gazing, flowers and wildlife viewing. There are many historic sites in Joshua Tree National Park.

The Mohave desert campground hosts features 44 campsites, pit toilets and no water. The campground is located off of Park Boulevard approximately fourteen miles from the town of Joshua Tree.

The campground is surrounded by large boulders and decorated with Joshua Trees. All of the campsites at Hidden Valley Campground are first-come, first-served. Camping fees must be pre-paid at an entrance station.

Because of the park’s very dry climate, fire danger in Joshua Tree is almost always very high. Be cautious. Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings or grills that are found in park campgrounds or picnic areas.

Keep fires small. Bring your own firewood. You may not gather park vegetation, whether living or dead, to fuel your campfire.

If you plan to have a campfire, bring extra water to douse it thoroughly.

Campground Summary

NameHidden Valley Campground
Location Joshua Tree National Park,
San Bernardino, California
Latitude, Longitude34.0178521,-116.1640167
Number of Sites44
Elevation4200 feet
AmenitiesVault Toilets, Tables, Fire Rings

Campground Map

Directions

The campground is off of Park Boulevard approximately 14 miles from the town of Joshua Tree. The campground is located near Barker Dam and the Hidden Valley Nature Trail. If entering from the West Entrance in Joshua Tree, continue for about 10 miles. The campground will be on your left. If entering from the North Entrance of Joshua Tree National Park in Twentynine Palms, proceed for about 16 miles on Park Boulevard and the campground will be on your right.

References

Belle Campground

Belle Campground in Joshua Tree National Park
Belle Campground in Joshua Tree National Park

Belle Campground is a small campground with 18 campsites located in Joshua Tree National Park in California. Joshua Tree National Park is a fantastic destination for those interested in Outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, bouldering, star-gazing, flowers and wildlife viewing. There are many historic sites in Joshua Tree National Park.

The campground is at an elevation of 3,800 ft (1,158 m) and camping is located around large boulders and among Joshua Trees, for which the park is named. This is a First-come, first-served campsite with vault toilets and no other service beyond trash removal.

No water so bring plenty of your own. Belle is a great campground to see dark night skies.

Because of the park’s very dry climate, fire danger in Joshua Tree is almost always very high. Be cautious. Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings or grills that are found in park campgrounds or picnic areas. Keep fires small. Bring your own firewood. You may not gather park vegetation, whether living or dead, to fuel your campfire. If you plan to have a campfire, bring extra water to douse it thoroughly.

Campground Summary

NameBelle Campground
LocationJoshua Tree National Park,
San Bernardino, California
Latitude, Longitude34.0014648,-116.0215814
Elevation3,800 ft (1,158 m)
Number of Sites18
AmenitiesFirst Come First Serve

Belle Campground Map

Directions

From the North Entrance:

Continue along Park Blvd and turn left onto Pinto Basin Road. Drive approximately 1.5 miles south along Pinto Basin Road. Turn left into the campground at the campground sign.

From the West Entrance:

Drive along Park Blvd and turn right onto Pinto Basin Road. Turn left into the campground at the Belle Campground sign.

From the South : Drive north on Pinto Basin Road. Turn right at the campground.

References

Silver Star Mine

The Silver Star Mine is a small mine site located off of the Zinc Mountain Road in San Bernardino County, California. The site rests at 4931 feet above sea level in the Ivanpah montains. The lonely site features a small humble cabin the miners used to survive and beat the heat. There is also a wrecked automobile near at the site, which has long since given up the battle against rust.

Silver Star Mine Cabin
Silver Star Mine Cabin

There is not much information available for this location on the Internet and hopefully I will be able to find some eventually. The mine site is also know as the Lucky Lode deposits. The route into the area is reasonably passable and should be suitable for most cars, provided the driver is used to operating on the back roads of the desert.

Silver Star Mine
Silver Star Mine rusted out auto

Some places claim that this mine produced lead, copper and zinc. The fact that this mine is found just off of Zinc Mountain Road offers some credence to a zinc mine. Other online sources claim this is a tungsten mine. A shallow mine shaft is located near the cabin. The shaft contains an old wooden ladder used by the miners and appears to be filled in, collapsed, or suspended after about 20 feet of workings.

Silver Star Mine Shaft
Silver Star Mine Shaft with ladder.

This stark hole in the ground reminds us what a challenges the life of a miner must endure. Hot, dry deserts, narrow, dark tunnels in a hostile landscape.

Silver Star Mine Trail Map

Resources