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National Park Service · CA

Joshua Tree National Park Wilderness Backpacking Permits

Overnight wilderness backpacking across designated zones in a high-visitation desert national park; permits release on a rolling basis up to six months ahead.

Permit requiredovernightModerate
Access requirement

How to get a permit

Rolling wilderness backpacking permitsTimed release

Online permits can be reserved up to six months in advance and up to the day of the trip. Same-day in-person permits are available at the permit office until 4 p.m. Pacific. Confirm exact same-day online cutoff on the official source. Trip window: Year-round.

Apply on official siteVerified · Jun 22, 2026Available this season
Permit rules
QuotaPermit required for all overnight wilderness backpacking. Camping is at-large across designated zones except the high-use Boy Scout Trail zone, which has specific designated sites reservable through Recreation.gov. Trips are limited to 3 consecutive nights within a single zone.
Group1 to 12 people per permit.
Fees$6.00 non-refundable reservation fee per permit (covers 1-12 people).
TransferCheck official source for transfer and trip-leader requirements.
SafetySummer heat is a serious hazard; carry ample water. Avoid camping in washes during monsoon season due to flash-flood risk.
Where to stay

Campgrounds nearby

Official campground records near this destination. Availability is labeled with the source actually checked.

COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND (CA)

9.6 miles away · CA · 62 sites

7 of 7 nights open

Reservable

Aug 2529Aug 2628Aug 2728Aug 2827Aug 2925Aug 3028Aug 3129
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site

COTTONWOOD GROUP

9.6 miles away · CA · 3 sites

7 of 7 nights open

Reservable

Aug 253Aug 263Aug 273Aug 283Aug 292Aug 303Aug 313
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site

JUMBO ROCKS CAMPGROUND

12.4 miles away · CA · 124 sites

7 of 7 nights open

Reservable

Aug 25114Aug 26113Aug 27109Aug 2896Aug 2996Aug 30111Aug 31105
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site

SHEEP PASS GROUP

15.2 miles away · CA · 6 sites

7 of 7 nights open

Reservable

Aug 256Aug 266Aug 276Aug 286Aug 295Aug 306Aug 316
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site