Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs are literally surrounded by opportunities to camp in exemplary national parks, national forests, state parks and other wilderness sites. Opportunities for outdoor activities abound, from rock climbing to canoeing. These diverse sites each offer an active outdoor experience and are conveniently located near opportunities for dining and hot springs relaxation.
National Park Campgrounds
You will find only one national park near Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs. Joshua Tree National Park is located to the east of Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs, where the Colorado and Mojave Deserts meet the Little San Bernandino Mountains. The park offers nine campgrounds, and backcountry camping is permitted. While camping in the park, you can enjoy hiking through a Cholla Cactus garden or biking along miles of dirt roads through backcountry. Joshua Tree is a popular destination for rock climbers and stargazers. Far from the city lights, Joshua Tree National Park offers incredible night sky vistas.
State Recreation Area Campgrounds
The Desert Hot Springs/Palm Springs also boasts one state recreation area that provides campgrounds for visitors. Salton Sea State Recreation Area (SRA) is located to the southeast of Palm Springs and offers the opportunity to camp on the shores of one of the world's largest inland lakes. Two of Salton Sea SRA's five campgrounds provide full-facility campsites. Three of the campgrounds offer beachfront, primitive camping. Outdoor activities at Salton Sea SRA include hiking, canoeing, kayaking and fishing.
State Park Campgrounds
You can choose between two exceptional state park campgrounds near Desert Hot Springs/Palm Springs. Anza Borrego State Park is located to the southwest of Palm Springs and provides the opportunity for camping in the California desert. Within Anza-Borrego, visitors will find 500 miles of mountain-bike-accessible dirt roads and miles of hiking trails through desert habitat interspersed with small oases and desert wildflowers. Mount San Jacinto State Park is located to the west of Palm Springs and offers a breathtaking high-country experience with full-facility and backcountry campsites and hiking trails climbing to peaks more than 10,000 feet in elevation. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway provides visitors with convenient transportation between Mount San Jacinto State Park and Palm Springs. Before visiting Mount San Jacinto State Park, check the park office website, as both the tram and campgrounds are subject to seasonal closures and backcountry camping requires a permit.
National Forest Campgrounds
Primitive camping enthusiasts will relish the solitude of the only national forest found in the Desert Hot Springs/Palm Springs vicinity. San Bernardino National Forest is located to the northwest of Palm Springs and offers camping at developed campgrounds, as well as at primitive backcountry sites accessible only by trails. You should secure backcountry camping permits in advance by contacting the park office. Opportunities for outdoor recreation are extremely diverse, as the San Bernardino Mountains facilitate winter sports such as snowshoeing and skiing. Campers will also find miles of roads and trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Exceptional Outdoor Opportunities
Anza-Borrego and Mount San Jacinto State Parks and the San Bernardino National Forest all serve as trailheads/camping stops along the Pacific Crest Trail, a breathaking 2,650-mile trail from Mexico to Canada. Potential trail hikers should contact the Pacific Crest Trail Association for more information.
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