Chiriaco Summit Campground

Good rest stop. Small Cafe, but cozy. The Dry Campsite has about 14 spots for cars and RVs up to 40 feet, with one pull-through for an RV over 40 feet. It also has about 4 tent only spots. No facilities but there are rest rooms at the Cafe an gas station. There is a cell tower within 1/4 mile so reception is full bars. Food and gas are kind of pricey but there is nothing in any direction for about 40 miles.

Great place to stop for one night. We stayed on our way back from a roadtrip to AZ. For camping near a freeway, it was much better than I expected. Spaces are big, have a fire ring and conveniently located near gas station and coffee shop.

Life saver if you’re a cyclist heading East on I-10 and it’s too late to it make to Blythe, next stop with any services. Great overnighter. Close to the gas station and the very nice coffee shop/restaurant. Great views to the North. Bring ear plugs for I-10 noise. It’s 5 stars for a free campground because it’s beautiful and well cared for. Would have been less stars otherwise for lack camp tables. It’s also 1/2 mile to the gas station for toilets.

Close to the highway with no highway noise. There's a fosters freeze, a post office, an (overpriced) gas station, and the Patton museum is right there so you are camping right next to all of these cool retired tanks. The desert is a weird and awesome place.

Easy overnighter or week long stay depending on your needs and desires. Dry camping for free with a friendly camp host (true desert rat nomad type). Dog friendly but watch out for the cholla (several varieties) nearby. This isn’t exactly Boondocking (of which there is a lot of nearby) but barely a step above with designated campsites, a few common sense rules and a camp host. Clean, almost level sites with no special amenities other than some great desert views, close to Joshua Tree and all the conveniences of Chiriaco summit are mere stroll from camp. Chiriaco summit offers a gas station, cafe, gift shop, post office, trash cans, and emergency restroom. I almost forgot the George Parton museum. Hiking galore. Taking the dirt road that accesses the campground north beyond the campground entrance will take you to a parking area with access to the backend of Joshua Tree National Park. Just a stroll away. There is a trail to the Lost Palms Oasis trail or just do some wonderful exploring in the canyons and craggy mountaintops without a soul in sight! There are some fantastic 4x4 trails south of the highway and even one in Joshua Tree National Park that you can access near the rest area west on I-10 and on the north side of the freeway. Not a bad ride from the campground on good dirt roads. There is also rumored to be some Rockhounding in the Orocopia Mountains and Mecca Hills on the south side of I-10. Reason for 4 stores and not 5. We were not able to get water and there is no dump station. It is also close to the freeway so there is some traffic noise.