California / Riverside County / Joshua Tree National Park

Belle Campground

Open — Open year-round, first-come, first-served. No reservations accepted. Campers must secure a site and pay at an entrance station within one hour of setup.

About

Belle Campground is a small, rustic campground in Joshua Tree National Park with 18 first-come, first-served sites. Located approximately 1.5 miles south of the Park Boulevard and Pinto Basin Road junction, this campground provides a quieter alternative to the larger campgrounds in the park. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring, with vault toilets available throughout the campground. The campground is situated near the eastern boundary of the park on the California Hiking and Riding Trail, offering convenient access to desert exploration. Belle Campground operates with no water, electricity, or hookups of any kind. Campers must bring all necessary water and be prepared for primitive camping conditions. The campground can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet, though roughly half the sites are smaller and better suited for tent camping. Generator use is permitted only during limited hours: 7-9 a.m., noon-2 p.m., and 5-7 p.m. Sites must be occupied immediately upon selection, and registration with payment must be completed at an entrance station within one hour of setup. The campground operates under Joshua Tree's standard camping regulations, including a 30-day annual camping limit with no more than 14 nights between October and May. Each site can accommodate a maximum of six people, three tents, and two vehicles (space permitting). Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings, and campers must bring their own firewood as gathering vegetation within the park is prohibited. All food and scented items must be stored securely from wildlife.

Directions

From the North Entrance: Continue along Park Boulevard and turn left onto Pinto Basin Road. Drive approximately 1.5 miles south along Pinto Basin Road. Turn left into Belle Campground at the Belle Campground sign. From the West Entrance: Drive along Park Boulevard and turn right onto Pinto Basin Road. Turn left into Belle Campground at the Belle Campground sign. From the South: Drive north on Pinto Basin Road. Turn right at Belle Campground.

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