First time Dry camping in Joshua Tree Advise needed.

[aboyz]

Hi,

I am planning to go to Joshua tree 2 night camping inside the park. But they do not have water, electricity black water. So I have some question regarding this.

1. I don't want to fill my water up at home and bring it there because of the weight. Do the campsite have restroom where I can bring my own portable gallon water holder to get the water and put it into my fresh water tank? Or is there a place to stop by before going into the park to get the water?

2. Electricity - I think i'm good with this because I'm bringing a 3000 watts generator for my AC and plus I have solar power to charge my batteries.

3. Black water tank. Is there a place to dump the black water? or do I have to keep it until I get home?

Thank you.

[Happy Camper 2715]

If your coming in from I-10 there is a water fill and dump station on the way to Cottonwood campground. stayed there many times.

[aboyz]

Originally Posted by Happy Camper 2715

If your coming in from I-10 there is a water fill and dump station on the way to Cottonwood campground. stayed there many times.

so i take the i-10 and exist the cottonwood springs road I keep on going until I see the cottonwood visitor center. is that where you get your water and dump your stuff?

[EcoBuckeye]

Between the visitor center and the campground. Turn right at the visitor center.

[aboyz]

Originally Posted by EcoBuckeye

Between the visitor center and the campground. Turn right at the visitor center.

arg!! good to know!!. this really help me looking for a campsite at joshua tree. Is this the only campground that have the water and dump station? or do other have it also?

[EcoBuckeye]

I think Black Rock has the only other water and dump station.

[aboyz]

Originally Posted by EcoBuckeye

I think Black Rock has the only other water and dump station.

thank you so much!! its hard to book in joshua tree. becuase its all taken. i guess i have to book for later August or Sept.

[PodGeek]

Can't miss it...

[Ready2camp]

I will never again leave my house without a full tank of water if I am dry camping. A few times I was told I could fill-up near by and find out that the water was shut off or no longer in service or busted. Now what does someone do? People crack me up about hauling water due to gas mileage, how many more miles are you really getting by driving empty.

[PodGeek]

Originally Posted by Ready2camp

...People crack me up about hauling water due to gas mileage, how many more miles are you really getting by driving empty.

Yeah, it's really more about wind resistance. Driving 5 mph slower would likely save more gas than not filling the FW water tank.

[aboyz]

Originally Posted by Ready2camp

I will never again leave my house without a full tank of water if I am dry camping. A few times I was told I could fill-up near by and find out that the water was shut off or no longer in service or busted. Now what does someone do? People crack me up about hauling water due to gas mileage, how many more miles are you really getting by driving empty.

Yeah. my only concern is the weight if i load up the water before i head out. I rather just load up the water when i'm there and just drive like 5-10miles max to the site camp.. But joshua tree is a good place for dry camp..

Any experience with the first come first serve campsite? are they packed? I'm afraid if i try to go there and all packed the other option I have is camp in one of the BLM site.

Let me know your experience..

[ppine]

When ever I head to the desert I bring water, lots of water.
Consider your neighbors when running a gen.
dump stations are easy to find.