Ryan Campground

Ryan Campground is a camping area with 31 individual tent sites nestled among large monzogranite rock formations at roughly 4,400 feet elevation within Joshua Tree National Park. The setting places you directly within a dramatic landscape of boulder clusters and sparse desert vegetation.

The rock formations surrounding this site were created millions of years ago through volcanic and tectonic processes, then slowly shaped by wind and water erosion into their present forms. The desert valley where it sits has attracted human activity for thousands of years.

The campground operates under strict management rules designed to protect the native Joshua trees and juniper growth that define the landscape. These protections reflect how visitors are expected to respect and preserve the desert environment they camp within.

This campground has no drinking water on site, so you must bring your own water or obtain it from services 17 miles away in Twentynine Palms. Planning for the desert heat and high elevation is essential for a comfortable stay.

Generators are only permitted during three specific time windows each day: early morning, midday, and early evening, a rule designed to preserve the natural quiet of the desert. This unusual restriction means campers can experience extended periods of actual silence under the night sky.

Location: Riverside County

Website: https://nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/ryan-campground.htm

GPS coordinates: 33.98305,-116.15478

Latest update: December 15, 2025 13:22