Camping near Mesa Verde

Just minutes from the Arizona border, Mesa Verde makes a convenient base camp for exploring southeastern California. Sleep in the high desert at a private campsite near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, or try a unique stay on a local organic white-sage farm. More camping awaits inside Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where a mix of free backcountry camping and developed campgrounds offer something for everyone. Hike the badlands, visit the Galleta Meadows Sculptures, and sleep under the stars while in this Dark Sky Community. A short drive west takes campers to Joshua Tree National Park, where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet for spectacular geological sights and challenging climbs. Over 2,000 boulder problems make this park a rock-climbing hotspot, while hiking, cycling, and horseback-riding trails take the rest of the group to spots like Arch Rock and the Cholla Cactus Garden. Choose from one of nine campgrounds here that offer amenities like flush toilets, water, fire grates, and dump stations. Reservations are recommended, particularly from May to October.