Box Canyon

Agree with other ratings, you could easily get stuck in the sand off the highway in Box Canyon. I have a 4x4 diesel pulling a 30' toy hauler and nearly got stuck, was sketchy. Even the shoulder gets sandy, this would be a challenge for 2-wheel drive. Big rigs, definitely not.

otherwise, a very peaceful spot if you can get away from the road, and plenty of exploring to do in the slot canyons.

I’d camp here again, the sand is softer in some spots so definitely recommend scouting before picking a spot. If you have the right rig you can really get deep in the canyon, but right off the road has some good options too. The sunsets were beautiful, the walks were serene. I expected coyotes but there was little wildlife the week we camped. So many trails to explore. Only 20 minutes from town with great back road driving. This is a great mid point between Joshua Tree and Palm Springs. You definitely need Starlink to work remote at this location.

As of Dec 2018 the paved road through the canyon is almost completely wiped out and the road is signed as closed. Enough people drive around the closure signs that there is effectively a 2wd dirt road through the canyon though.

Theoretically you could still camp here if you’re willing to brave the unofficial dirt road but the entire canyon is effectively a dry riverbed from wall to wall. You do not want to be here if it rains, at best you will be stranded and at worst you will be dead.

Despite the posted warnings about road conditions, the drive from the main highway to the canyon was in fair condition when we were there in December 2015.
On the way through, we noticed a number of possible camping areas, but we parked right near the parking lot that visitors can use if they are taking a walk into the very impressive Box Canyon trail. There was ample room for our trailer on the side of the parking lot and we were not intruding on anyone.
As it was a Saturday, there were a lot of day visitors, but also a school group had set up camp in front of the parking area so that they could spend the night in their tents and take an early morning hike on the circular trail through the canyon.
On the whole, everybody was well behaved and friendly. However, the big drawback of tenting in this location is the lack of restroom facilities. This meant that plus or minus twenty people had to 'do their business' behind any available bush . So, when we took a walk around the area, we were constantly confronted with foul smells and visions that included used toilet paper and fresh feces.
Nonetheless, the location was just fantastic and as long as you visit during the week, you are sure to have peace and serenity most of the time.
The trail through the Box Canyon is highly recommended, even for day campers who may be a bit spooked about staying in a canyon that is vulnerable to flash flooding, especially as there is no means of communication with the outside world once you are there.
Needless to say, there was no cell signal whatsoever and there was no television signal. Our solar panels had a bit of sunlight around midday, but the shadows from the canyon quickly came over the trailer and we could no longer charge the batteries. This was one of the few times we happily used our generator, especially as there were no other campers on our second night here.
Favorite things: the walk through the canyon and also, in the opposite direction, along the dry river bed. Very surreal setting.
Negative: No restrooms! Human feces and toilet paper on every bush in the immediate vicinity.
No cell or television signal