Red Cloud Mine Road Dispersed Camping

The 2.2 mi. road in is entirely a good road, for cars, trucks, maybe trailers of nearly any size. Due to light washboard, NOT for big rigs. Some photos that have been posted make the sites appear much closer to the high power line than they are. This review appeared to be necessary due to lack of any other. We decided to try this site instead of Joshua Tree South due to those reviews about issues with sand & getting stuck. Proximity to JT National Park was not an issue as we’re on the way there & have reservations.
No one else here except the U.S. Border Patrol.

Right off I10 so there is some road noise. Easy to get in and out but slow for the relatively mild washboard and dips in the road. This is just a big gravel area with some fire pits.

We used the gravel lot near I10 because we did not want to risk the sand on the road. There are lots of really nice boondocking sites further south smaller motorhomes or 5th wheels with 4wd could take advantage of. We shared the lot with one truck each night. It was cool enough at night that we could close the windows so the highway noise was not an issue. Loved Joshua Tree!
There was some trash around the gravel lot but the areas further in were very clean.

We got stuck in the sand and spent quite a while using our Max Trax and a shovel to extract our 2-wheel drive Sportsmobile. Left as soon as we got our vehicle back on the road. Not happy campers.

I came in after dark, and was concerned about the reports about getting stuck in sand. I did not find that problem I found the road to be in good condition with a little bit of wash boarding but firm packed. I pulled off on the right side into an area that seem to be frequently used. It looks like a hard packed gravel and sand. No issues getting stuck.

Plenty of places to find privacy. Great access to canyons and hills for exploring mines and the desert. Saw a beautiful array of flowers, tortoise, and a horny toad. We camped up past red cloud mine road and summit intersection. There were a few loose sand areas but with common knowledge of desert terrain didn’t need 4x4 and I am pulling 38’ bumper pull with F350.