Joshua Tree in January... and dry camping questions

Best bet to camp inside Joshua Tree (I agree with Jumbo Rocks campground) is to get there first thing in the morning and look for people packing up. Pay for the spot, put your tag on the post, and it's yours. Don't expect much quiet, Joshua Tree is very popular.

The other really good dry camping alternative is a nearby dry lake bed on BLM land, maybe 10 minutes from the main entry gate. Joshua Tree posts directions to the area on their website. I've camped out there several times, and it works fine.