SoCal TBers: Anyone know of a good camping spot...

MatticusMania · #1 05-14-2010, 10:39 AM

Near Palm Desert/Palm Springs area?

Im taking my gf out to the Living Desert, www.livingdesert.org , and afterwards plan on pitching a tent and staying the night somewhere. If you know of any good tent camping spots out that way, Im all ears.

MakiSupaStar · #2 05-14-2010, 10:55 AM

Head up the road to Joshua Tree. Although this time of year the desert is HOT!!!

macaroni tony · #3 05-14-2010, 10:55 AM

You may or may not know this, but right where you enter into palm springs there's a tram that takes you up to the top of the mountain there. It's an awesome spot, especially during the day. When it's 110 degrees down in the valley, it's about 60 at the top. If you can handle the cold mountain air at night, it's a really nice place to set up camp.
http://www.pstramway.com/

macaroni tony · #4 05-14-2010, 10:58 AM

^^ never heard of Joshua Tree, looks pretty cool. Gotta check that out some time soon

MakiSupaStar · #5 05-14-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macaroni tony

You may or may not know this, but right where you enter into palm springs there's a tram that takes you up to the top of the mountain there. It's an awesome spot, especially during the day. When it's 110 degrees down in the valley, it's about 60 at the top. If you can handle the cold mountain air at night, it's a really nice place to set up camp.
http://www.pstramway.com/

Yep. There are also some really cool camping areas up there. The tram is for a day trip, but if you want to camp drive back along the 10 and then turn off and head up to Idylwild. This time of year it's beautiful. Much better temperature range too. In the day 70-80's and night 40-50's.

MakiSupaStar · #6 05-14-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macaroni tony

^^ never heard of Joshua Tree, looks pretty cool. Gotta check that out some time soon

Joshua tree is killer. Check it out in the Fall or Spring though. Much better temperatures.

Meatbass · #7 05-14-2010, 11:41 AM

Joshua Tree is amazing. The heat will just suck the life out of you this time of year. You'll most likely stay in the shade all of the time if you go out there.

MatticusMania · #8 05-14-2010, 11:42 AM

Cool tips. We were thinking about just driving off a highway out into the desert and setting up camp. I can handle the heat, lots of beer & water to help.

Josua Tree is about an hour from where we'll be.

Also, we'll be in Palm Desert during the day (still hot) and wont be setting up camp until about 6 or 7pm. Just staying the night, and heading home the next morning.
If I had more cash I'd probably book a room at Casino Morongo.

macaroni tony · #9 05-14-2010, 11:58 AM

glad to be of service, earthworm jim

MatticusMania · #10 05-14-2010, 12:09 PM

Earthworm Jim

Hunter S Thompson (as drawn by Ralph Steadman)

MakiSupaStar · #11 05-14-2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Cool tips. We were thinking about just driving off a highway out into the desert and setting up camp. I can handle the heat, lots of beer & water to help.

Josua Tree is about an hour from where we'll be.

Also, we'll be in Palm Desert during the day (still hot) and wont be setting up camp until about 6 or 7pm. Just staying the night, and heading home the next morning.
If I had more cash I'd probably book a room at Casino Morongo.

Actually drive into the park at Joshua Tree. You're not going there because of the trees by the same name but because of the rock formations that only exist inside of the park. Remember that RHCP video where they're all hopping around on the rocks in the desert? That's Joshua Tree. If you drive all the way out there and pull off the road you're blowing it. It's actually worth the 15 bucks or whatever it is to camp. This time of year you should be able to find a campsite in one of the four or five campgrounds in there. Usually you need reservations to get a spot.

MatticusMania · #12 05-14-2010, 12:15 PM

Might give it a try, but then we probably won;t have time to really check out the park. I know of Joshua Tree, just havent been there myself. Not sure if thi'll be the best time for us to see it, as we'll probably only need a place to crash for the night.

CapnSev · #13 05-14-2010, 12:19 PM

That zoo looks pretty cool.

MatticusMania · #14 05-14-2010, 12:23 PM

Yeah, we were given some tickets. I had never heard of it before.

MakiSupaStar · #15 05-14-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Might give it a try, but then we probably won;t have time to really check out the park. I know of Joshua Tree, just havent been there myself. Not sure if thi'll be the best time for us to see it, as we'll probably only need a place to crash for the night.

Then Idyllwild would probably be a better call. Lots of campgrounds and kind of on the way home for you.

macaroni tony · #16 05-14-2010, 12:41 PM

Oh, I didn't know your avatar was hunter s thompson.

Hunter S Thompson

Dale Gribble

Robert Patrick

6jase5 · #17 05-14-2010, 05:58 PM

2 thumbs up for Idylwild, although you really have to get to Joshua Tree. I don't mind heat and it's not blistering for another month in my opinion.

This is a great place near JT that I've rented with fellow musicians, fun vibe for a group and especially a band. Fun couples weekend.

http://www.jtrockhouse.com/

elgecko · #18 05-15-2010, 06:53 PM

If you're not going to be pulling into camp till evening time and rolling out in the morning, I'd pass on both Joshua Tree and Idylwild. I love both places, they're beautiful ...but the road up to Idylwild is kind of a pain to drive up, navigate to camp in the dark (possibly), just to roll out in the morning. Joshua Tree is amazing but it'll cost you $15 to get in and another $10 to camp.

Of course, if you're into scenic drives and intentionally taking the long way home, they're both great. For that option, I'd add: drive up to to Big Bear through Redlands, camp up top, and descend the mountain through Running Springs.

You could probably find free camping that's relatively bullet casing/broken glass free north of Dillon Road between the 10 and the 62, along the southern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park...along Berdoo Canyon particularly.

elgecko · #19 05-16-2010, 11:14 AM

Berdoo Canyon Road: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=berdoo...N&hl=en&tab=wl

This dirt road ends in Joshua Tree NP. You can legally camp before the park boundary sign.

MatticusMania · #20 05-17-2010, 12:14 PM

Well, after the Living Zoo we just ended up driving into Palm Springs. We passed by a bar with a sign out front that said Happy Hour: 2pm - 8pm. $2.50 cocktails. Turned out to be a gay bar. An old man couple walked in, hand in hand in oxygen tank. The drinks were large, and strong. Then we wondered down the road and ended up doing some Karaoke at another bar before going back to the car. We made some veggie sandwiches with fixins we brought in the Ice Chest. A little later we drove back towards Banning and slept in the car by the Giant Dinosaurs. Woke up at a quarter to 6 and got home in under an hour to get some real sleep in. Surprisingly, my neck is no longer stiff. Good times.