Joshua Tree South — BLM Dispersed Camping off Cottonwood Springs Road

Just north of I-10 on Cottonwood Springs Road, before you reach the south entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, BLM land opens up for free dispersed camping. It’s flat Colorado Desert bajada: creosote, ocotillo and smoke trees, with the Cottonwood and Eagle Mountains on the horizon. There’s no shade, no water and no toilets. In return you get a quick roll-in after a long highway day, and you’re minutes from the park’s Cottonwood and Pinto Basin areas. From late fall through spring, when the park campgrounds are booked solid, this area fills with rigs.

Use existing pull-offs and don’t drive new tracks through the desert. Some spur tracks get soft and sandy, so scout before committing a heavy rig. There’s some road noise from I-10 near the front. Summer heat is brutal and dangerous, so come in the cool season. The 14-day BLM limit applies. Pack out everything, including human waste. Chiriaco Summit, a few exits east, has fuel.

Free desert overflow at Joshua Tree's back door.