Joshua Tree is sold out.
Here's what to do.

Joshua Tree sees over 3 million visitors per year — most concentrated in the peak fall and spring seasons (October–November and March–April). Reservable sites at Jumbo Rocks and Black Rock open 6 months in advance and fill within minutes during peak season. The park has roughly 500 reservable sites across 9 campgrounds.

White Tank and Belle campgrounds are first-come, first-served and not reservable on Recreation.gov during most of the year, making them your best option for last-minute trips. Cottonwood (south entrance) is consistently less competitive than Jumbo Rocks or Black Rock. Arrive early on weekdays.

Yes — the BLM land surrounding Joshua Tree National Park allows dispersed camping. Areas near Twentynine Palms Highway and the Coxcomb Mountains have established dispersed sites with no permit required. CamperWatch lists several BLM dispersed options within 30 miles of the park.

Recreation.gov releases cancellations and held reservations daily at 7:00 AM Pacific. Use a CamperWatch availability alert to be notified within 10 minutes of a cancellation opening for your exact dates.

Yes. The BLM California Desert District surrounds much of Joshua Tree, and dispersed camping is allowed on public land outside the park boundary at no charge. No permit is required for stays under 14 days. Bring all your own water — there is no water available outside park facilities.