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Camping or Cheaper Alternatives Outside of JTree?

Original Post
David PriEmes · · NYC · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 20

Are there any good camping or other cheap lodging alternatives, OUTSIDE of BUT near Joshua Tree? Thanks.

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

If you don't want to pay camping fees in Joshua Tree, you could camp on BLM land:

nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/…

Edit: If you're willing to pay for "cheap lodging," or camp, why don't you want to camp inside the park?

Jason Ryba · · Tustin, CA · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 5

My wife and I have camped on BLM land north of the park. Got rowdy group with alcohol and 4-wheelers near us, but otherwise vacant and free,

David PriEmes · · NYC · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 20

I heard there is a 14 day enforced limit on camping inside of JT, so I wanted to know alternatives if I want to stay longer. Thanks.

Ivan · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 5

Drive down Geology Tour Road or Old Dale Road till you pass the park boundary.

susan peplow · · Joshua Tree · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 2,756

The Pit is still an option. Located near town in a residential neighborhood so "rules" for staying are in play.

Mainly....

  • Don't be a dick
  • Park on the low side of the pit out of the view-shed of neighbors
  • No loud music or bon-fires
  • Pick up your trash
  • Pick up the trash of others
  • Pick up blown in trash
  • Don't leave personal waste!
^^ Don't understand? DON'T SHIT AT THE PIT!!!
  • Be respectful of others

The property is held by a private owner and with generosity to the climbing community available to stay. Treat this empire of dirt as you would your Mothers. It's been under the radar or without action for years allowing climbers, travelers and artists to stay without fee. If Dick Cilley, HappieGirl, Phil Birchoff or Robert Fonda tell you to do (or not do) something. Mind them.

Visiting the area, this may be helpful happiegrrrl.hubpages.com/hu… - the link for JoshuaTreeClimbersRanch finally fell off to non-renewal. It's not really a secret (obviously) but if you'd like info on location PM me for details.
Scott Bissi · · Cazenovia, New York · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 5

David we have a 2 week limit here in ny on state land but the thing is all you gotta do is move the site to the next one down and all is good

other · · San Diego, CA · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 15

Dick Cilley and homeless New Yorker HappieGirl are the resident camp hosts? They aren't the owners. How about Tucker Tech and Chongo Chuck? I'm ignoring them.

Happiegrrrl · · Gunks · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 60
other wrote:Dick Cilley and homeless New Yorker HappieGirl are the resident camp hosts? They aren't the owners. How about Tucker Tech and Chongo Chuck? I'm ignoring them.
Why don't you ask Robert Fonda, who acts on behalf OF the owner, if you should disregard any suggestions made by the people Susan mentioned in her post? I'm sure he'd enjoy ripping you a new assho...err, I mean, discussing the topic with you.

Look - Last winter was ridiculous. People refused to follow the simplest of basic requests, to NOT park on the upper portion, which IS made by the owner. Bbecause they "wanted privacy." There were even people who thought it acceptable to pull over off the town ROAD and sleep in full on camper vehicles across the street from the neighbors, 20 feet away from the access drive to the Pit.

Dumb Fux.

By the way, feel free to introduce yourself to me in person, "other," and don't be shy and refuse to tell me what your MP username is, like so many other online big mouths.
other · · San Diego, CA · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 15

Sure thing, my mountain project username is in blue letters next to the post, just like yours is. If you mean what my legal name is, whats your legal name? What is Robert's phone number and email address? Whats wrong with other homeless folks Tucker Tech and Chongo Chuck? I give the most respect to people that have the ability to edit their 10,000 word rambling screeds. And if you lived in the pit for three straight months and screamed at people, sorry, no respect.

susan peplow · · Joshua Tree · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 2,756

Now other, why are you trying to pick a fight with Terrie?

The response was to provide a friendly option for the OP seeking camping alternatives a question that undoubtably will come up again as we enter into JT season.

And as fun as namedropping is, your suggestions don't really apply for the Do as I say title. Mainly as Chongo doesn't frequent the Pit nor Tucker who has his abode elsewhere.

DesertRat · · Flagstaff, AZ · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 196

A friend and I made use of the Pit a couple times last season. Always so thankful for the place to crash.

Samina A · · Bend, OR · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 11

Good luck with the camping and please let me know if you need a belay/climbing partner at all as I am looking for people to climb with in jtree - cheers!

Kyle Wills · · Whidbey Island, WA · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 1,110

Because I was planning on spending a lot of time climbing in the Sheep pass area this weekend (sunday-monday wooo national holidays!) I decided to splurge and reserve one of the group campsites. I only have a two others I was planning on climbing with so I figured I might throw the opportunity out there for a discounted/barter-able and no stress campsite availability in the park for sunday night up here.

PM if your interested and I will provide campsite number and vehicle description

other · · San Diego, CA · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 15

I can climb weekends throughout the fall-winter-spring. Message me with your schedule and availability. Follow 10b trad, lead 5.8.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern California
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