Ryan Campground
Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more! Ryan Campground lies amid the huge, steep rock formations for which Joshua Tree National Park is known. In close proximity to many boulders and rock formations, it is a popular camping location for families with kids. Ryan Campground is one of four campgrounds in the park that requires reservations 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 70-90 degrees during the day and drop to a 40-60 degree range at night.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California · dark sky in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 20 |
| Tent-only | 10 |
| Host/management | 7 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 32 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
30 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 02 | Standard | Back-in | 16 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 03 | Standard | Back-in | 18 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 04 | Tent only | Back-in | 19 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 05 | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 06 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 4 / 1 | Yes |
| 07 | Standard | Back-in | 16 | Gravel | 4 / 1 | Yes |
| 08 | Standard | Back-in | 23 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 09 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 10 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 4 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
34 campsite locations mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The site numbers are theirs and may not match the posts at the campground. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 32 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Dark sky | Inside Joshua Tree National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
This small facility has 31 individual tent and limited RV campsites. There are no hookups or drinking water in the campground, however the town of Twentynine Palms is 17 miles away and provides basic amenities. The park allows six people and two vehicles per site, however, some sites are small and may not accommodate the maximum number of people and vehicles.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Driving Directions. Take Interstate 10 to State Highway 62. Turn south on Park Blvd. Continue 5 miles to the West Entrance; Ryan is approximately 11 miles from the entrance. If coming from the east, taking Interstate10, take the Desert Center exit north onto State Highway 177.
| Coordinates | 33.9831° N, 116.1545° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation (see below). Changing an Existing Reservation: When changes are made prior to the cut-off window: If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee. There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit the recreation fee for the day of departure. There is no change fee if the customer wants to switch sites that are the same price with the same reservation dates in the same facility. If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Nomad Ventures ↗ | 14 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 15 mi |
| RV sales & service | Mountain Air Mobile Home Sales ↗ | 44.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Ryan Campground Review & Tips: Your Guide to Camping in Joshua Tree
Worth a stop
Cap Rock, Ryan Mountain, and Hidden Valley
- 11.9 miJoshua Tree National Park Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
Public land it sits in
Pinto Mountains Wilderness begins about 14.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 14.3 miPinto Mountains Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Bureau of Land Management · 24,348 acres
- 14.8 miCoachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 3,602 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Chemehuevi CemeterySite · Twentynine Palms · 11.6 mi
Natural features
Campsites are nestled on a flat, sandy surface between large boulders that tower in unique shapes over the campground and rise up from the otherwise uniform desert landscape. The rocks were formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago and have been exposed and shaped by wind and water over time. They brighten with soft pastel hues during the morning and evening sunlight and low with campfire light by night. Visitors may want to keep their eyes out for typical desert inhabitants such as lizards, rattlesnakes, scorpions, ravens, squirrels 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.
Recreation
Several hiking trails also leave from the campground. There are plenty of rocks and Ryan Mountain to explore outside the facility. Clear desert skies are perfect for star-gazing.
Guidebooks for Joshua Tree National Park
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Ryan Campground?
Sites at Ryan Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Ryan Campground?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Ryan Campground?
A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Ryan Campground have?
37 sites, including 20 standard sites without power and 10 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Ryan Campground?
The longest site here provides 32 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Ryan Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Ryan Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Ryan Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Ryan Campground good for stargazing?
Yes. Ryan Campground sits inside Joshua Tree National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
What is there to do at Ryan Campground?
Several hiking trails also leave from the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Ryan Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Sheep Pass Group (2.4 mi), Jumbo Rocks Campground (5.3 mi), and Indian Cove Group (7.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Ryan Campground in?
Ryan Campground is a Joshua Tree National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: Joshua Tree National Park