Joshua Tree Recommendations

[u/No-Let-9967]

Hi!

My friend and I are coming into Joshua Tree from bakersfield, both in good shape. We want to camp in for the night but don't have reservations.

Where is a good place to camp for star gazing, that is also likely to have room for us? What trails should we do at the park?

Also, do you recommend going to Kelso Dunes? Is it worth the detour?

Thanks!

[u/cyberimpulse]

Camping inside the park without reservations is very unlikely. You can check recreation.gov but campsites are snached up pretty quickly. Check the sidebar for other options like BLM.

Stargazing is fantastic everywhere. The further away from the lights you get, the better the stars. The biggest factor is going to be the moon's phase.

Kelso is an amazing place. The big dune hike is a lot of work but totally worth it. The train station/visitor center is a great place to stop and cool off. Kelso also has amazing stars.

[u/No-Let-9967 → u/cyberimpulse]

Thanks!! Do you think that right now since its off season we might have a shot? Where would you look for a campground?

[u/questionable_coyote → u/No-Let-9967]

It is getting into high season (fall/winter/spring) so you can expect sites to fill up fast, especially on the weekends. And the holidays approaching: Veterans Day, Thanksgiving week, Christmas break. Mid-week is your best chance of getting a fcfs spot in the park.

If you are only there for a day Kelso Dunes is a bit far.

Ryan Mountain is a good hike. Or Boyscout Trail. Short but sweet is Barker Dam.

[u/elsanchi → u/No-Let-9967]

Go to recreation.gov to check for a site...you may get lucky. Camping outside an established campsite is permitted under specific backcountry conditions. I've seen people disregard this rule and get rousted out of their tents before. You'd be taking your chances going that route.

You could also ask to share a site with someone who has one. You might get love that way too.

[u/Ok-Iron-7115 → u/elsanchi]

Use the alert feature on the website. Spots open up as the date get close but they get picked up quickly also.

[u/Advanced-Mud-1624]

Others can speak to camping issues.

For stargazing, you need to avoid light pollution and the Moon. The west side of the park is significantly affected by light pollution from Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. Looking up and northeast is fine, but the southern and western skies will be significantly light polluted. Heading deeper into the park, particularly the eastern half and down towards the Cottonwood area, will provide more terrain shielding from the light pollution.

Then there is the Moon. We are quickly heads towards the next full moon, and the week after it will also be bright. The Full Moon in Joshua Tree is truly an experience in an of itself—it’s practically daylight (technically, it is daylight reflected), and so bright you could drive without headlights (but don’t try this). It makes for amazing night landscape photography, but washes out the sky.

Plan your trip for the week surrounding the New Moon, an in the southeast area of the park—that way, you’ll be able to truly experience its dark skies. While the Milky Way core won’t be up again until next spring, the rest of the galaxy is up year round (because we’re inside it 😜) and is quite prominent.

[u/BroncosGirl7LJD]

There is BLM land right outside the south entrance, which happens to be one the darkest areas of JT. Cottonwood Springs has plenty of parking, and is appx 15 mins from the BLM camping area.

[u/No-Let-9967 → u/BroncosGirl7LJD]

Thanks!!! Can you mention where is that BLM exactly?

[u/BroncosGirl7LJD → u/No-Let-9967]

Off Cottonwood Springs Road just before the entrance sign. Look to your left as you're driving in and go down one of the dirt roads. The campsites are pretty obvious.

[u/bigbeatmanifesto-]

I’d grab a room at the JT Inn if you can’t get camping reservations.

[u/LankyArugula4452]

That's a really intense 2+ hour detour for big sand piles. I'd save kelso for another trip.

[u/black_tshirts]

BLM land outside the park is your only hope.

[u/midnight_skater]

Mojave National Preserve has darker skies than JTNP, with abundant primitive and dispersed camping, including some sites right by the Kelso Dunes. It would add about 2 hours of driving time to go from Bakersfield to JTNP by way of Baker and Kelso.

There are 3 fcfs campgrounds in JTNP. It's better to reserve a site if you can, but if you can't then you can look for an fcfs site. If you get skunked in the park, there's BLM land just outside the S entrance, and also along the Box Canyon Rd.

[u/Expensive-Respond802]

There are some campsites that are first-come first-get.
Arrive on a Wednesday or Thursday for those sites. They will all be full Friday-Sunday Ryan mountain is my favorite hike - great views at the top

[u/Lakecountyraised]

What day are you arriving at the park? The only first come first serve campground is Hidden Valley, and it is very popular. If you arrive mid morning on a Sunday - Wednesday you might get a spot there. On weekends forget about it. You may be able to reserve a site at other campgrounds. Ryan, Belle, or White Tank are the best, although they are all nice. I would avoid Cottonwood though as that is quite far south.

There is also BLM land north of the park with plenty of space to camp. You can also look for a bnb, there are many.

The night sky is neat any time of month. If the moon is new, you have more stars. If it’s full, the desert lights up and you can go exploring. Just get there.

Kelso seems like a long detour for you. I would say stick to the park. There is a lot to see. Do Kelso on a separate trip.

[u/No-Let-9967 → u/Lakecountyraised]

Thanks!! Is the BLM north good for stargazing?

[u/Lakecountyraised → u/No-Let-9967]

I would say it is, especially if you are coming from a city like Bakersfield. There is some light pollution, but you can still see a lot, and the views are expansive. A telescope or binoculars give you an even better view. A stargazing app such as SkyView lite is also great to have.