OCLB - Cottonwood Campout, Joshua Tree National Park

OCLB Chapter presents

Cottonwood Campout

Joshua Tree National Park 

Jan 31st to Feb. 2nd, 2025

Trip Leader Contact: Michael M

Email: BoardRep-OCLB@GreatOutdoors.org

Stargazing and camping after the New Year?  

Let’s go!

Cottonwood Campground at Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places for stargazing and camping after the holidays, or for that matter year-round.  Located in the southern section of the park away from light polluting towns or cities, Cottonwood Campground offers dark, uninterrupted views of the night sky that draw astronomers and constellation admirers alike. 

Set in Colorado Desert landscape, Cottonwood campground overlooks flat, open desert shrub land, which offers a contrast to the Mojave Desert landscape featuring the Joshua trees of the park’s namesake, predominant in the northern area of the park.  Nearby is Cottonwood Springs Oasis, created from geologic activity, offering a verdant island of palm and cottonwood trees encircled by an ocean of desert landscape.  Cottonwood Springs’ Oasis is also the trailhead for nearby hiking trails.

Registration: Limited to Great Outdoors members

Start: Fri Jan. 31st, 2025, 3pm

Ends: Sun Feb. 2nd, 2025 12pm

Space available: 10 vehicles

Location: Cottonwood is the first campground from the South Entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, approximately 33 miles east of Indio.

Directions: From Long Beach and Orange County, take Int. 10 East to Indio.  Take Exit 168 Cottonwood Springs Road, turn left, and drive to the South Entrance.  There is a $30 per vehicle fee to enter.  An America the Beautiful National Park Pass will waive the vehicle entry fee.  Drive 7 miles to Cottonwood Springs Visitor Center, turn right.  Follow signs to Cottonwood campground.  Proceed to Group Site 2.  

Carpooling is highly encouraged to allow more folks to attend and because of the vehicle limit at the group campsite.  There is no overflow parking. 

Important information:

Campfires are only allowed in designated fire rings.

THERE IS NO CELL PHONE SERVICE & NO GAS WITHIN THE PARK.

Schedule

Fri Jan. 31st .

3pm Check-in

4pm- Welcome Tea- Refreshments provided. Meet & Greet

5pm- Dinner on your own

5:30pm- Group campfire

Sat Feb. 1st .

8am- Breakfast on your own.

9am- Local hike, pack a snack.

3:30pm- Happy Hour- cocktail provided. BYOB is absolutely welcomed.

4:45pm- Group dinner potluck. Dinner Theme: Italian Inspired.

5:30pm- Group campfire, storytelling, stargazing.

Sun Feb 2nd .

8am- Breakfast on your own.

9am to 11am- Break camp, pack up, see you at the next Great Outdoors event!

12pm- Check out 

Amenities: Cottonwood Campground offers potable water, restrooms with flush toilets, and trash and recycling bins.  Our group site feature shaded picnic tables and a fire ring.  There are no showers.  

Parking: 10 vehicles.  

RVs: Unfortunately, No RVs on this campout.    

What to bring: Ten essentials, Tent, Camp chair, Sleeping bag with sleeping pad or air mattress, Air pump with extra batteries for air mattress, Pillow, Extra blanket, Day pack for hiking, camp stove, matches or lighter, propane fuel, flashlight with batteries, lantern with batteries, headlight with red light feature and batteries, external power bank and phone charger; cooking utensils, cold weather clothing (long underwear, jacket, sweater, long sleeve shirts, long pants, beanie, scarf), hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, toilet paper, toiletries kit, and hand sanitizer.

Please bring your own plates, cups, mugs and eating utensils.  There is very little shade.  You may want to bring a pop shade withanchor.   

Please BRING firewood for the group campfire.

Climate:  January Avg. high 63, Avg. low 39.  Mornings, evenings and overnight can get cold.  Bring warm clothing and dress in layers.  Bring an extra blanket. Although JTNP is usually sunny, rain is unpredictable. Bring a rain coat if rain is forecasted.  Also, there is very little shade.  Wear sun protection: Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and long sleeve shirts. 

Fees:  Camping fee is $50 per individual.   

If you are carpooling as a passenger the camping fee is $40.

The park entrance fee is $30 per vehicle. The park entrance fee per vehicle is in addition to the camping fee.  A National Park Pass will waive the park entrance fee.

Carpooling is encouraged to save money on fuel and the vehicle entrance fee.

Above:  Joe, Lance and Rob welcome you to Joshua Tree National Park!

Cancellation: Attendees may cancel with a refund, less $10 fee before Friday,  Jan, 17th , 2025. No refund for cancellations after 1/17/25.  Contact the Trip Leader, Michael if you need to cancel your registration before January 17 in order to receive the applicable refund.

Food: Bring enough food and snacks for 2 days. I will provide refreshments at the Friday welcome tea and prepare a cocktail for attendees at the happy hour on Saturday. Group dinner potluck on Saturday night. Dinner theme: Italian Inspired.

Registration- Driver: $50. Passenger: $40.

Please Indicate who you are carpooling with.

Pets: Pets are not allowed on hiking trails, in the back country or in park buildings.  LEASHED pets are allowed within 100 feet of roads, picnic areas, and campgrounds.  Please clean up after your pet.

Past Photos from Cottonwood Campground

Above:  Joe and Rob at the Cottonwood Group site for our Perseid Meteor Shower campout this past August.

Above:  Juan is ready to for beddy bye time - again at Cottonwood Campsite during an OCLB Perseid Meteor Shower campout.

Above:  Claudia and her baby get comfy while at Cottonwood Campsite!

Questions?

Contact trip leader: Michael M

Email : BoardRep-OCLB@GreatOutdoors.org

Thank you for participating in the Great Outdoors club!