It’s About to Get More Expensive to Visit Joshua Tree National Park — Here’s What It’ll Cost

The price hike will kick in next month.

By Alison Fox Alison Fox

Alison Fox is a Travel + Leisure contributor. She has also written for Parents.com, The Wall Street Journal, and amNewYork. When she’s not in New York City, she can be found at the beach or on the slopes. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on November 18, 2024

Close Jumbo rocks and Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) found in Joshua Tree National Park, California. Photo:

Alan Majchrowicz/Getty Images

Visiting Joshua Tree National Park will soon cost more when the popular California spot raises reservation fees.

Starting Dec. 1, the park will increase fees for all reservations on recreation.gov, including for campgrounds and tours. Then on Jan. 1, 2025, the National Park Service will increase the amenity fee as well as raise the fee for first-come, first-serve campgrounds, according to the National Park Service.

“Extensive public engagement followed by NPS review led to the determination that the park’s proposed updated campground and tour fees were comparable to fees charged by similar nearby campgrounds and tours,” the National Park Service wrote in a statement, adding, “Joshua Tree National Park utilizes the majority of revenue collected through entrance and camping fees to provide visitor services and maintain public facilities such as campgrounds.”

The general admission amenity fee will increase from $10 to $20. However, it will now be free for children 11 years old and younger.

Campground fees vary depending on the location, but will go up as high as $55 for the Cottonwood Group campground. Reservations for the location, which features 62 sites and three group campsites, potable water, and flush toilets, was previously $35 to $45.

Reservations will now also cost $55 for the Indian Cove Group campground, which has 101 campsites, including 13 group campsites. Previously, it was $35 to $55 to reserve. 

Prices will also increase for other locations like the Black Rock campground, which will rise to $35 from the previous price of $25, and the smaller White Tank campground, which will increase from $15 to $25 to reserve. 

First-come, first-serve campgrounds will increase from $15 to $25 per night.

In addition, prices will also increase for the Keys Ranch Tour, which will now cost $10 to $20 to join.

While the park’s fees are increasing, there are still some annual fee-free days throughout the year.

Joshua Tree sits in southern California, just east of Palm Springs, drawing visitors in with its beautiful rock formations, incredible stargazing, and amazing hiking.