Hidden Valley Campground  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  4,200' Lat, Long:  34.0162, -116.1614 Map Page Views:  614,641. Good page? (4 likes)    Administrators:  C Miller, Adam Stackhouse, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  M.Morley on Jun 15, 2002 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed 90° | 61° 90° | 64° 88° | 64° 82° | 61° 86° | 63°

So peaceful, amazing place, like another planet

Description 

Welcome to Hidden Valley Campground - the Camp 4 of Southern California. HVCG has a high concentration of quality routes and one could potentially spend a week in The Park without ever leaving the campground. As such, the area sees more than it's fair share of traffic and, unfortunately, accidents on routes like Toe Jam and Double Cross (see route descriptions for specifics). A few considerations and logistics while you're here:

• Entrance fee (currently $15) is valid for 7 days of purchase. Camping in the Park is $10/campsite/night, and is on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations). However, reservations may be made online for group campsites at Indian Cove, Sheep Pass, Cottonwood, and Black Rock Campgrounds through the NPS Reservation Center. More about camping....

• Weekends are crowded during peak season! With its proximity to Los Angeles and San Diego, the Park draws more than 1 million visitors annually. Plan accordingly and have a backup plan if the campgrounds are full. There are numerous inexpensive motels in the nearby towns of Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, and 29 Palms.

• There are no gas stations in the Park itself. There are two gas stations in the town of Joshua Tree - a Valero on the corner of Park and Hwy 62 and at a Circle K (no diesel) which is a block to the east. Yucca Valley, 6 miles west of town on Hwy 62, has many gas stations to choose from with most having lower prices than the ones in Joshua Tree.

• There is no running water in the Park. Come prepared with a 5-gallon or more jug if planning on staying more than a day. The last place to fill up is at the West Entrance kiosk, where you'll pay 25 cents for 5 gallons.

• Protect your food!!! Coyotes, squirrels, and scrub jays WILL raid your food if left out. A couple of durable plastic storage bins will make your life a lot easier and will help to keep the critters self-sufficient.

• Cell phones reception is spotty, but good reception can be had at Key's View. There is an ***EMERGENCY ONLY*** phone located at the second bathroom in main loop of Hidden Valley Campground. The closest payphone is at Coyote Corner at the SE corner of Park Blvd and Hwy 62.

Getting There 

HVCG is located 14 miles SE of the Park's West Entrance along Quail Springs Road (Park Blvd).

The Classics

Featured Route For Hidden Valley Campground

The Official Route of the 1984 Olympics 5.10c PG13  CA : Joshua Tree National Park : ... : Cyclops Rock

Start from the desert floor in a scoop and face climb up past some horizontals (pro) to the first bolt about 40' up. Interesting friction past two more bolts leads up and right to the left margin of a small cave/recess where you will find another bolt. Steep friction moves (crux) lead to the security of a good hold after which the climbing eases and some gear can be placed. One final bolt protects the moves to the top where a bolted anchor will be found. Either rappel off (60 meter rope needed),...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Hidden Valley Campground Slideshow

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Hidden Valley Campground from Cyclops	Sunset from site #2 [[Hidden Valley Campg...	Bird and Brodie launching the Space Pod. Photo: Er...
Sunrise @ Hidden Valley	To the campground residents, a styrofoam cooler is...	Looking Down into the Hidden Valley Campground are...
Tarantula and lunch near Hidden Valley Campground,...	Cholla detail, Joshua Tree NP	The end of another great day, Joshua Tree NP
Brett emerging from his long winter hibernation	One of the many hidden valley natives	Joshua Tree at Sunset.
Sunset at the Hidden Valley Campground	Campsite #2	Sunset, as viewed from the Old Woman.
Saddle Rocks from Hidden Valley CG, Joshua Tree NP	Hidden Valley from Ryan Mountain. Photo by Blitzo.	Kangaroo Rat stuck in a beer bottle. You'll see th...
Sunrise over Hidden Valley	Old Woman, The Blob, and Hidden Valley Campground ...	HVC note board
Climbers atop the route The Bong	Double Cross	Spectacular day
Left Ski Track	Climber on Toe Jam	Hidden Valley campground from the Eye on Cyclops. ...
???, Joshua Tree NP	typical j-tree beauty.	My momentary lapse of reason on The Phallus boulde...
warm summer jtree nights always make it great to s...	Finding afternoon shade in HVCG during a spicy sum...	Hidden Valley
Intersection rock after sunset	Space Station Sunset	Hidden Valley Campground from the "Old Woman"
Hidden Valley Pannoramic	Beauty In Hidden Valley	j-tree
Interesting clouds in Hidden Valley CG, Joshua Tre...	Watching the Sunset after another full day of clim...