>>1658358Aside from pack loads of water? What would you like to know?
I can tell you right off the bat that I favor the Mojave National Preserve over Joshua Tree. Assuming you're coming from the south, head north along the 15 until you hit Baker, then either head east along Kelbaker Road, or continue north until you hit the Shell station and turn south onto Cima Road. Alternatively, you can get on the 40 near Barstow and hit Kelbaker from the south. 1.6 million acres of Mojave wilderness. No entrance fees, and only two developed campgrounds. Largely unrestricted backpacking, and while there's no wood gathering in the backcountry, it's unlikely anybody will be around to give you trouble over it. Just keep the fire small.
As for car camping, if you pull off a road onto a dirt trail and encounter a clearing with a rock fire ring? You can camp. No registration or any other nonsense. Depending on where you put down, you can go for days without seeing a soul.