Ryan Campground: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Joshua Tree National Park
Regions 8, 9, 10, & 12 Park Cultural Landscapes Program and North Wind Cultural Resources Consulting, LLC.. 2022. Ryan Campground: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Joshua Tree National Park. Cultural Landscapes Inventory Report. 976237. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
The Ryan Campground is located in the north-central portion of the Park, approximately 18 miles southwest of the Oasis Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms. It is accessible from Park Boulevard, which connects the north and west entrances of the Park. The campground is situated at an approximate elevation of 4,328 feet above mean sea level (amsl). Nearby landforms include Ryan Mountain to the east and Quail Mountain to the northwest. The Park straddles the Colorado and Mojave deserts, and is situated north of the Salton Sea. The Ryan Campground is located in the eastern end of the Transverse Ranges within the Pacific Border Physiographic Province, which is characterized by parallel, east-west trending mountain ranges and sediment filled valleys (Norris and Webb 1976). The east-west structure of the Traverse Ranges is in contrast with the northwest trend of the adjacent Coast and Peninsular Ranges. The Transverse Ranges formed as the result of tectonic forces along the San Andreas fault system. The Ryan Campground was initially planned in 1957 to serve equestrian users in the Park (then a national monument). By 1958, it had grown to include seven campsites along two loops, as well an additional loop designated as a horse camp for equestrians—a configuration which it still retains today. By 1977, the number of campsites had been expanded to 27. Today, the campground boasts 32 campsites all of which are accessed by a 0.55-mile loop road that extends from Park Boulevard. Associated amenities currently present at the campground include picnic tables, pedestal grills, fire rings, vault toilets, signage, trailheads, parking areas, and trash and recycling facilities. Additionally, the Ryan Campground has a separate Horse Camp that consists of four designated equestrian sites. At the request of Park cultural resources staff, the entirety of the campground was documented as a site.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Regions 8, 9, 10, & 12 Park Cultural Landscapes Program; North Wind Cultural Resources Consulting, LLC.
- Date of Issue
- 2022-09-29
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
- Units
- JOTR , PWR
- Keywords
- California Equestrian and Hiking Trail, campground, equestrian, hiking, Mission 66, outdoor recreation, recreation
- Subjects
- NPS.gov Subject Site: Cultural Landscapes , CRIS-CL: 976237: Ryan Campground