Onward Community Campout
Joshua Tree
October 17-19, 2025
3 Days / 2 Nights OF ALL-AGES FUN OUTDOORS
Guided beginner climbing, Outdoors activities, Includes Breakfasts & Dinners
The Trip
community campout - Joshua tree!!!
What: Three days, two nights of great food, awesome vibes, and good friends creating memories outdoors!
Join us this fall for Onward’s annual campout at Joshua Tree’s Indian Cove Group Campground. Fun all-ages programming + Optional guided climbing, plenty of chill time, breakfasts & dinners included.
When: October 17-19, 2025
Where: Indian Cove Group Campground
Indian Cove Campground lies amid the huge, steep rock formations for which Joshua Tree National Park is known. Because of its proximity to many rock climbing routes, it is a popular camping location for climbers.
Campsites are nestled on a flat, sandy surface between large boulders that tower in unique shapes over the campground and rise up from the otherwise uniform desert landscape. The rocks were formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago and have been exposed and shaped by wind and water over time. They brighten with soft pastel hues during the morning and evening sunlight and glow with campfire light by night.
Registration
FREE SPIRIT
$99
Individual Registration
For one person only
Space to pitch one small tent
Includes programming + breakfasts & dinners
Onward provides scholarships & subsidized rates on request. Have special skills? We also love to barter services & programming that can make this event better.
Best Value!
FAMILY STYLE
$190
Whole Family Registration
Only one registration needed, price covers all the family you can cram into your tent
One large tent site provided (need an extra tent site? please inquire)
Includes programming + breakfasts & dinners
Onward provides scholarships & subsidized rates on request. Have special skills? We also love to barter services & programming that can make this event better.
OPTIONAL POWER UP!
$138
Optional Saturday climbing guide
Price per person
All-ages welcome, climbers will be split into cohorts
All equipment + shoes provided
Pro guide services by Joshua Tree Guides
Great way to introduce yourself or your kids to climbing, brush up on rusty skills, or learn new climbs
WHAT TO EXPECT
Who: All ages
This is an all age adventure for our growing community! We have four large group sites reserved, depending on RSVPs we will try and bundle sites by age & energy level. No outdoors or camping experience necessary, just a positive attitude and willingness to spend a weekend outdoors with fun, supportive peeps.
Included in your RSVP:
A spacious site
One tent per family. One parking spot included (Need space for an additional car? Please reach out!)
Breakfasts & dinners
Firewood for group bonfire (if current fire ban lifts in October as planned)
Basecamp (basic kitchen equipment, music, etc.)
Camp activities + unstructured time to explore, unwind, read, hike, etc.
To bring:
Each family is responsible for its own camping equipment. (Full packing list below.)
Don’t have a tent, sleeping bags or … anything? No sweat, you can rent the big stuff (see below) and with a heads up we can likely help you out with smaller odds and ends.
Lunches, snacks & fillable water jugs + beverages of choice
There is no running water at the site, however there is a potable fill up spot at the nearby ranger station. Site does have vault toilets.
Reusable dishware + cutlery + cups
We try to minimize waste. We’ll have a basic wash station set up to clean dishes.
Personal effects, toiletries, towels, etc.
Folding chairs
Camp games to share
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive at the site as early as 12pm. Set up your camp (or help someone set up theirs), explore the area, play games, make a new friend. Dinner + bonfire and s’mores.
Day 2: Group breakfast. Guided fun, creative & adventure activities, optional guided climbing, free time to hike, explore, read, hang, etc. BYO lunch. Group dinner + bonfire, storytelling & s’mores in the evening.
Day 3: Breakfast. Morning hang & activities. Break camp and depart by noon.
Packing List
Gear
Note: If you need gear (tents, bags, sleeping pads, etc.) and aren’t ready to buy we recommend checking out Lower Gear for rentals. We have no affiliation but the company is helpful on the phone, ships nationwide, and their prices are very reasonable.
Essential:
Tent
Sleeping bags
Sleeping pads
Headlamps
Folding chairs
Water bottles
Refillable water jugs for your crew
First aid kit + medications
Sunscreen & sun protection
Consider bringing:
Day pack (for hikes, etc.)
Hydration bladder (if you fancy a longer hike)
A good book or two
Charging brick (better yet, leave your electronics off!)
Lantern (nice to have in your tent, we’ll have lighting for main areas)
Non-electronic play materials to share
Hand sanitizer (we’ll have some, nice to have your own_)
Camping Hammocks
Please leave at home:
Screens for kids!
Bad vibes
Weapons (… other than the impressive bows & arrows the kids will invariably make out of s’more sticks)
Food
Breakfast (Sat & Sun) & Dinner (Fri & Sat) included in your RSVP. You’re welcome to use our stove and cookware whenever it’s free.
Reusable plates, bowls, cutlery & cups for your crew
Lunches for your crew (we suggest easy stuff, e.g. pb&j or deli sandwiches)
Snacks (e.g., trail mix, chips, dried fruit, hummus, veggies, fruit)
Any alcohol & beverages for your group (water fill up is available at ranger station ~2 miles from site)
Clothing
Please check the weather report before you leave. Fall is typically a great time of year in Joshua Tree, the typical October weather swings from low 80s and sunny during the day to low 50s at night. With cool nights layering is key and warm clothes are always important to have in the desert. Again, pay attention to the forecast and please feel encouraged to ask questions!
T-shirts
Long sleeve shirts
Comfortable pants to hike, scramble, climb, and lounge in (yoga pants, hiking pants, tights, etc.)
Underwear
Sweatshirts / sweaters for chilly evenings
Warm Jacket
Sun protection (hats, sunglasses, sunscreen)
Socks (for hiking and for cozying at camp, wool are best)
Hiking boots, hiking shoes or tennis shoes + climbing shoes for anyone who climbs
Sandals or slippers for camp (nice to have, not essential)