This popular Free RV Camping BLM area is just outside the South Entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. It is not near the town of Joshua Tree—which is off of California Highway 62, also called Twentynine Palms Highway—but off of I-10 east of Indio. Just drive to the South Entrance and you will see the BLM areas on both sides of Cottonwood Road. Video
A park highlight that is only eight miles from the South Entrance is Cottonwood Springs Oasis, popular for hiking, bird watching, and Cottonwood Campround. There’s the Cholla Cactic Garden with hiking as well: very pretty.
Related post: Free RV Camping Near Joshua Tree National Park West Entrance
Cottonwood Visitor Center has visitor passes
You can drive in at this location for free, but after around eight miles there is a sign asking visitors to stop and pay at the Cottonwood Visitor Center during regular hours.
Dump station and potable water on the way to Cottonwood Campround
There is an RV dump station just past the visitor center on the way to Cottonwood Campground. I’ve read online they want users to stop and pay at the Visitor Center but there’s no sign at the RV station so I didn’t. 🙂
The water spigots at the dump have potable water. I definitely wouldn’t drink it, but filled up some water bottles for dishes, etc. while I free camped.
You can drive through the park from the South to West Entrance
If you enter Joshua Tree National Park via the South Entrance you can drive through the park and to the town of Joshua Tree with restaurants, bars, pharmacy, hotels, gas stations etc. It takes around an hour and a half and of course, is a spectacularly beautiful drive weaving in and out of the desert scenery.
The closest major shopping area to the South Entrance is Indio, 25 miles West on I-10. The only place for supplies near this BLM location is to drive up the highway (five miles East) to the Chiriaco Summit gas station that has propane, mini-mart, and a cafe with breakfast, lunch, and dinner served all day.
There is also Free RV Camping at the small campground behind the General Patton Memorial Museum. Check out a video here: Chiriaco Summit Free RV Camping.
Video of Free RV Camping at Joshua Tree National Park South Entrance
Here is a video of the BLM area. The featured image above is the park sign at this South Entrance location off I-10 on Cottonwood Road. Drive past it and you are in the park. There is no fee, no ranger station. It’s a free entrance.
There is excellent cellular service
I had great cellular service with my 5G iPhone and Verizon hotspot. I could watch movies, make phone calls, etc. Inside the park at the campgrounds there is no cell coverage.