No, when visiting Joshua Tree, it's best that you do not plan on sleeping in your car. Sleeping in your vehicle overnight within the National Park is not allowed. If found, you could be subject to a citation, so it's best to avoid the situation altogether.

Sleeping in your car overnight inside the boundaries of Joshua Tree National Park is strictly prohibited unless you are parked at a designated, paid campsite within one of the nine official campgrounds. If you are found sleeping in a vehicle on the side of a road, at a trailhead, or in a day-use parking area, you are subject to a citation and a fine from park rangers. In 2026, because park campgrounds often sell out six months in advance, many travelers utilize the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands located just outside the North and South entrances for "dispersed camping," where sleeping in a vehicle is permitted for free for up to 14 days. If you prefer a more secure environment, several private "glamping" sites and RV parks in the nearby town of Joshua Tree allow car camping for a small fee, providing access to basic amenities like toilets and water which are not available on the open BLM land.