Hidden Valley campground is the hub of rock climbing within Joshua Tree National Park. Most climbers choose this campground as their base due to its immediate proximity to fantastic climbing crags such as Intersection Rock, The Blob, and The Old Woman. Add in that this is the most unique and scenic place to camp in the park, and you can imagine how difficult it is to secure a campsite here.
Expect Hidden Valley to be full every weekend from late autumn to mid spring. If you arrive very early on a Friday you might be lucky enough to grab a spot here. Weekday camping is still challenging since most people stick around for longer trips. Ryan campground is nearby and offers a good alternative if Hidden Valley is full. There is a less obvious sideroad which has a number of often overlooked sites, so make sure to check it out before moving on to Ryan.
Concrete picnic tables, fire rings, garbage, recycling, and pit toilets are found throughout the campground. There is no potable water so make sure to bring enough into the park with you. An emergency-only phone is located nearby at Intersection Rock. Self-register at the kiosk located at the entrance to the campground to pay the $10 nightly fee.
