SD - Camp - Joshua Tree & Lost Palms Oasis

Joshua Tree National Park Campout & Lost Palms Oasis

Overview

Join us for a 3-day, 2-night campout at Cottonwood Campground on the southern edge of Joshua Tree National Park. Cottonwood sits at 3,000 feet just north of Interstate 10, with easy access, renowned stargazing, and one of the few spots in the park with running water and flush toilets. Saturday's centerpiece is the Lost Palms Oasis hike, followed by a sunset walk at Keys View. Optional stops in Anza-Borrego on the drive out Friday and a Painted Canyon slot-canyon hike on the way home Sunday round out the weekend.

Meet Time & Location

Pick one:

• Option 1 – Anza-Borrego side trips, then camp: Meet 9:30 AM Friday, Dec 4 at Borrego Springs (Christmas Circle, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 Google Maps). Sculpture tour and Fonts Point walk, then caravan to camp.
• Option 2 – Straight to camp: Arrive no earlier than 2:00 PM Friday, Dec 4 (check-in opens at 2:00 PM) at Cottonwood Group Camp, 74485 National Park Dr., Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 Google Maps Apple Maps
• Check out: Sunday, Dec 6, 10:00 AM.
• December nights at 3,000 ft drop into the 30s. Pack for cold.

Schedule - Tentative

Members are free to participate in activites or relax at camp. 

Friday, Dec 4

• Optional - 9:30 AM: Borrego Springs Sculpture Tour
• Optional - 11:00 AM: Fonts Point walk and lunch; depart 12:30 PM for camp
• 2:00 PM: Check-in opens at Cottonwood Group Camp. Set up, evening at camp.

Saturday, Dec 5

• 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Lost Palms Oasis hike, 7 miles round trip, moderate. Lunch on trail.
• 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Keys View sunset walk, 1 mile round trip

Sunday, Dec 6

• 10:00 AM: Pack up and leave camp. Trip ends here for anyone heading straight home.
• Optional - 11:00 AM: Painted Canyon trailhead (Mecca, on the way back to San Diego). Ladders and slot canyons. 5 miles, 3 hours, moderate.

What to Bring

• Tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad
• Cold-weather layers
• Camp stove, food, and water
• Headlamp
• Lunch, snacks, and water for each hike
• Ten Essentials

Event Specific Challenges

• Lost Palms Oasis is 7 miles round trip with sustained elevation change; rated moderate.
• Painted Canyon (optional) requires climbing fixed ladders and scrambling in narrow slot canyons.

Health Problems/Allergies: Discuss any medical concerns with the trip leader that may affect your ability to complete the hikes.

Pets Permitted: NO

Who to Contact with Questions: Bill Stanhope (619-306-2378)

Great Outdoors San Diego EDI Statement

Great Outdoors San Diego and our members enjoy the privilege of using the outdoors for recreation. We strive to include more of our community, especially those historically not included. Please encourage your friends, neighbors, and community members to come out and join us! If something is holding them back, please reach out to GOSD — we'd love to talk.