After enjoying a lovely time at Indian Cove Campground at Joshua Tree National Park we headed back east and then south to our next campground in the park, Jumbo Rocks.
It is about a 30 minute drive between campgrounds and along the way we decided to stop at Sky’s The Limit which is just outside the park entrance. Sky’s The Limit is a non-profit organization which has an observatory and a nature center. There are night sky programs monthly along with a walkable model of the solar system, a meditation garden, a nature trail, steel sculptures, and a solar calendar/sundial. The park is open 24/7 but the observatory, nature center, and restrooms are only open when events are going on. You are welcome to come and set up your own telescope anytime.
We weren’t quite sure what everything was but it was pleasant enough. After a nice walk around the gardens and nature trail we headed on into the park. There was no line entering the park and it was only about another 15 minute drive to the campground.
Jumbo Rocks Campground is centrally located within the park, has 124 dry camp sites, reservations are required, and it is VERY popular. We have wanted to stay there for years but could never snag a reservation. This year we finally got one….literally for site 1! Ha, ha.
Campground: Jumbo Rocks Campground
Location: Joshua Tree National Park – near the center of the park
Site: 1 (pull along)
Cost: $15 (half off with Interagency Pass)
Services: Dry camp
Comments: Right in the center of the park with all the crowds and hustle and bustle. It is a very beautiful setting with rocks and Joshua Trees and lots of tourists.
Site 1 is, as you would expect, the first site when you enter the park. It is a pull along site and has a nice large picnic area near the rocks. During our stay the rocks created a nice wind tunnel so it was a bit difficult to sit out and it was nearly impossible (actually it WAS impossible) to have a campfire. AND everyone seemed to think it was part of the hiking trail and would just march through our site. AND since we were site 1, campers would stop and chat with us thinking we were the campground hosts. Interesting. But since we have been hosts we entertained them and gave them information, etc. The site is right across from the trash/recycling which meant during the day there was lots of hustle and bustle with people/rigs coming and going and people dropping off trash. The evenings were nice and pleasant and very quiet. I am not sure we would book site 1 again but it was the only site available…I wonder why?
Site 2 was a pull along right in front of us. A very large 5th wheel and truck pulled up and tried to maneuver into that site. There was no way they would have fit. They tried but ended up leaving in a huff. So we had that site free while we were there.
Behind our site was a great big area with lots of rocks and Joshua Trees
It was a great area to walk around, climb on and around the rocks, and view the sunset.
The campground area is well known for the Skull Rock. There is a trailhead along the main road and also one from the campground which is a 1.7 mile nature trail where you can view Skull Rock. It is a very popular trail and quite crowded but it a fun little jaunt to take and a nice trail.
The area around Skull Rock is quite crowded with everyone wanting to take photos. You just have to wait your turn and eventually you can get to it.
We found another interesting rock and you can use your imagination and guess what it is.
The campground is lovely but most sites are for tents and it can be very, very crowded. The main highway where the campground is located was full of vehicles on both sides with everyone wanting to see “Skull Rock”. It is a lovely area but a bit too crowded for us.
Leave a Reply