Campground

Black Rock Equestrian Campground

Joshua Tree National Park · Yucca Valley · California — managed by National Park Service

Black Rock Equestrian Campground campground
Photo: Recreation.gov

Weekend availability at Black Rock Equestrian Campground

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 17, 10:44 PM PT
  • Fri, Sep 18
    Limited
    1/1 sites
  • Fri, Sep 25
    Limited
    1/1 sites
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Limited
    1/1 sites
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Limited
    1/1 sites
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Limited
    1/1 sites
  • Fri, Oct 23
    Limited
    1/1 sites

Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.

Campsites & amenities

Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.

Campsites
21
Max rig length
35 ft
Equestrian No Hookup

About this campground

Overview Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more! Black Rock Horse Campground is strictly for campers planning to bring horses or mules. It lies among one of the thickest Joshua tree forests in Joshua Tree National Park. Its location on the park's northern perimeter makes it a popular rest stop for horseback riders . Reservations are required for Black Rock year-round. To get the most out of your visit Plan Like a Park Ranger Travelers who enjoy warm, dry winters flock to Joshua Tree from October through May, when temperatures hover between 70 to 90 degrees during the day and drop anywhere between 40 to 60 degrees at night. Summer is the park's off-season due to uncomfortably high desert heat. Black Rock is at an elevation of 4,000 feet and has a mix of both sun and shade. Recreation Equestrians will enjoy the variety of trails around Black Rock for day rides, including some with spectacular views of the low desert and high peaks around Palm Springs.Facilities The facility is convenient for RV camping, complete with flush toilets and a dump station. There are no hookups. Black Rock is one of two campgrounds in the national park that provides drinking water. Showers, laundry and other amenities are available in the town of Yucca Valley five miles away.Natural Features The unique shape of Joshua trees and the huge rocks that surround them draw tourists and scientists alike to the national park. Within the Black Rock facility, the surrounding trees form silhouettes against the landscape during sunrise and sunset and display bunches of blooming white flowers in early spring. Campers staying at Black Rock may have the chance to view the elusive desert tortoise, found only in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Visitors may also want to keep their eyes out for more typical desert inhabitants such as lizards, rattlesnakes, scorpions, coyotes, ravens and desert tarantulas during the cooler months of the year. Bobcats and mountain lions do live in the park, however they are rarely seen near humans. Birders may also be pleasantly surprised at the variety of species found around the campground. Contact Info This location is staffed. Please call (760) 367-3001 to speak with local staff.

Getting there

Take Interstate 10 to Route 62 into the town of Yucca Valley. Turn south on Joshua Lane and follow signs to campground, about five miles from the turn. If coming south on Highway 247, go straight across Highway 62 and continue onto Joshua Lane. There will be no sign for the park as you cross Route 62.

Elevation
4,046 ft
Contact
760-367-5554

Activities

  • WILDLIFE VIEWING
  • VISITOR CENTER
  • HIKING
  • INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
  • CAMPING

Nearby federal campgrounds

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.