Diagram of Campground

On May 21st, 2020 a large portion of the Black Rock Horse/Equestrian Campground was turned into a Hiker Parking Lot. This was not done with notice (unless you count the ever so small listing on the nps.gov website as a “Phased Approach” to increase access to the park).

We are well aware of how popular the National Park is and that it at times can be a crowded place. But the lack of care from some hikers who park on roads and private property should not be rewarded with an Extra Parking Lot that TAKES AWAY from an already Designated Area for Equestrians.

Joshua Tree National Park has a Grand Total  8 Campgrounds (500 Campsites), and of that total only 2 campgrounds are designated for Equestrian camping. Black Rock Horse Camp and Ryan Horse Camp (which is practically unfriendly to equestrians for its very small area which Equestrian Vehicles have an extremely hard time navigating safely). Ryan campground has also been opened to NON EQUESTRIAN camping many times. Now we see the same if not more aggressive disregard to the Black Rock Horse Camp which is ACTIVELY utilized as it also serves for Equestrians to use for Day Use.

This Campaign isn’t asking the Joshua Tree National Park to allow more designated parking or camping for equestrians it is simply asking the JTNP to remove the hiker parking from the ALREADY Equestrian Designated Area.

Joshua Tree National Park is a beautiful and sacred place to have in our wonderful community and to share with visitors from around the world. We wish to continue to share it in an equal capacity as we have done so in the past.

Thank you for taking the time to hear our outrage and disgust at this lack of regard to our cherished Black Rock Horse Camp. Please sign this petition and help us save our Campground! We need the Park Officials to know we are here and we care about what happens to our beloved area.