Joshua Tree National Park – Black Rock Canyon Campground

On to our third campground at Joshua Tree National Park which was Black Rock Canyon Campground. This campground is on the northwest corner of Joshua Tree near the town of Yucca Valley. It was almost an hour drive thought the park passing many of the sites and the crowds. It was a grey, overcast day and a bit windy. We actually had to exit the park near the west side, drive through a bit of Yucca Valley and then re-enter the park at Black Rock Canyon Campground. As we exited the park on a Friday around noon the line up to get into the park was at least a mile long. Crazy, crazy.

We have not been to this campground in many, many years. Last time we were here the roads into the campground were torn up and it was a very, very bumpy drive in. We had read that that road is Yucca Valley’s road and they are required to maintain it but since it is only used by the National Park there was some kind of debate over who should really be paying for it. We were pleasantly surprised to see the road into the park had been updated and was fine but…..the roads within the campground were a mess! They obviously have lots of flooding and just never repair the roads, the sites, or anything. It is definitely one of the least maintained campgrounds we have every stayed at. There were no signs for where sites where, the registration office was closed at check-in time, and we had problems figuring out what was a road and what was a wash. Some roads were just sand/dirt and others were chopped up pavement. Our tax dollars at work!!!

We bumped and bounced and guessed at where to go and guessed at where our site was. There are no delineations for sites you just guess where to pull in and where to park. Fun.

Campground: Black Rock Canyon Campground
Location: Joshua Tree National Park – near Yucca Valley, California
Site: 41 (pull thru)
Cost: $17.50 (half off with Interagency Pass)
Services: Dry camp
Comments: On the west side of the national park with less crowds, lots of wilderness, yet minutes from town. How perfect. The campground was full when we were there but mostly with tents. They were loud in the evening but quickly quieted down by 10pm. It WAS a weekend.

We saw a bit of wild life there with birds and squirrels and creatures begging for food. Obviously, campers has fed them before! That’s a no no!

There is a small Nature Center/Gift Shop/Check in area with a small little art gallery.

And then, the best park of this campground is the fabulous hiking trails. We have hiked all of them at one time or another and love the trails here. It is what keeps us coming back. We spent several days hiking around and loving every minute of it. The weather turned a bit sour and it was a bit colder and a bit windier but we had a terrific time. We did see some trail wash out signs along some of the steep trail areas but it didn’t stop us. Yes, the trails were a mess in places but we managed.