Starting Friday, Feb. 9, campsites at Jumbo Rocks and Cottonwood Campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park were available by reservation only.   To reserve a site at either campground, visitors can visit www.recreation.gov/ or call 877-444-6777. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance and can be made up to five months in advance.

Superintendent David Smith said, “The public has reacted very positively to the opportunity to reserve sites in advance. It will help prevent the disappointment that visitors feel when they travel all the way to the park, only to find that all the campgrounds are full.”

The new reservation system proved its value already. Campsites at Jumbo Rocks were completely booked for Saturday, Feb. 10.