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mojave.preserve

The mighty Mojave Desert spans several southwestern states, from US 395 at Death Valley to Joshua Tree, Las Vegas to Apple Valley. The National Preserve called Mojave is located in eastern California - inside the huge triangle of interstates, between the Nevada state line and Barstow, CA. High desert mountains, rocks, boulders, sand dunes, lava tubes, mines, rail road history. Free camping on back roads, or camp inside developed campgrounds, near the freeway. Extra large desert park is popular all year round. elevation range: 4000-7532'

Mitchell Caverns Mojave Hiking Mojave Campgrounds Primitive Camps Mojave Backroads Goffs Schoolhouse Granite Mountains Kelbaker Road Kelso Dunes Kelso Depot VanWinkle Mountains	When people hear the phrase "the middle of the Mojave Desert" , they often think of desolation, open flat lands with nothing around for hundreds of miles. That may be true for some sections, but not this portion of Mojave National Preserve. The park itself features cool volcanic rock formations, historical railroad systems, sand dunes, plenty of vegetation: joshua trees, sage, junipers. Ranger Station - 760/ 733-4040 SuperIntendent - 760/255-8801 Desert Info Center - 760/326-6322 Some Wilderness Areas limited 4x4 use, follow signs 22
Nearby cities & towns: Amboy Baker Barstow Calico Essex Needles Nipton Zzyxx	Mojave Desert Maps	NatGeo Mojave Map	high desert wildflowers March - May

Scenery along Loop Road south of Mid Hills

Excellent view from Campground at Mitchell Cavern

Mitchell Caverns & Winding Stair Caverns
- Providence Mountains State Recreation Area

Tour Hours no tours of cave at this time due to gov budget cuts

Little water No telephones No gasoline. Dress warmly!

Mojave Desert Hiking

Mojave National Preserve Hiking <

Rings Trail @ Hole-in-the-Rock - Self Guided trail w/ steel rings as ladders. Climb up steep walls with 'metal rings' near Hole-in-the-Wall Campground; picnic area & Visitor Center nearby.

Teutonia Peak Hike - 10.4 mi. south of Interstate 15 on the east side of Cima Rd. Trail head for Teutonia Peak is nearby on the opposite side of Cima Rd.

Boulders for Scrambling located near Mid Hills campground. Easy to get to via the dirt roads located behind the campground. Great views and seclusion can be found atop the biggest boulders. Pack a picnic and make of whole day of it, exploring Mojave desert just the way you want.

ENVIRONMENTAL NOTE: The decade of drought in California has truly taken a very serious toll on the natural brush and desert vegetation. Areas of Mojave Mid Hills experienced a wildfire recently, so some pinyon pine forest areas are a bit toasted. Wet weather is needed for the high deserts to thrive.

Kelso Dunes

Mitchell Caverns

Mojave Lava Tube

Tallest Yucca

Night hikes are super cool and the lava tube is dark in some spots.
Bring a flashlight in any case.

Mojave Campgrounds

click on campground name for photos & more descriptions

campground	elev	spots	veg	toilet	water	fee		comments
Hole-in-the-Wall	4400'	24	yucca	pit	piped	yes	rock formations	centrally located
Black Canyon corrals / group camp	4400'	20	yucca	pit	piped	yes	open area	equestrian
Mid Hills Campground	5600'	20	junipers	pit	piped	yes	in the trees	8+ mi. of dirt road travel
Providence Mountains Mitchell Caverns	4300'	6	yucca	pit	piped	yes	exposed, but great views	limited RV spots

Primitive Camping

ROADSIDE CAMPING: Get a park map & explore the dirt back roads .. there are plenty of great hidden spots to camp along these roads. Rangers ask that you please use an existing site (with rock ring) in order to prevent additional scars. Some places are not suitable for RV travel & many roads will require 4wheel drive. Remember not to slow down or stop in soft sand, you are likely to get stuck.

Directions to some up of the roadside camping areas:

Kelso Sand Dunes - sites are located near the gate and the end of the access road to the dunes. 2-3 sites.

Rainy Day Mine Site - 15.2 mi. south of Baker on Kelbaker Rd. Go 0.3 mi. north of Kelbaker Rd. on the road leading to Rainy Day Mine. 4x4 vehicles only. No RVs. 3-4 sites.

Black Canyon Rd. - 5.2 mi. south of Hole-in-the-Wall Visitors Center on the east side of Black Canyon Road. 3-4 sites.

Powerline Site - 11.8 mi. north of Kelso on Kelbaker Rd., where power lines crossed the road. 2-3 sites.

Caruthers Canyon - 5.5 mi. west of Ivanpah Rd. on New York's Mountains Rd. 1.5 to 2.7 miles north of New York's Mtns. Rd. to camp sites. No RVs. 3-4 sites.

Sunrise Rock - 10.4 mi. south of Interstate 15 on the east side of Cima Rd. Trail head for Teutinia Peak is nearby on the opposite side of Cima Rd.

Mojave BackRoads

 

 

The majority of this Natural Scenic Area is dirt back roads, so get your self prepared & take precautions: water, warm clothes, matches, tune up. Also get your SUV out & ready to explore. Many roads will require 4wheel drive, but there are still plenry suitable for 2WD. Remember not to slow down or stop in soft sand, you are likely to get stuck.

Easy Loop Rd./ Wild Horse Canyon Rd. - Off of Black Cayon Rd, just south of Hole-in-the-Wall Visitors Center starts a loop road that circles around the back side of Hole-in-the-Wall & leads up to Mid Hills campground. A few spur roads trail off & are limited in use. Pay close attention to signage.

Mojave Park has 1600 miles of dirt roads open to explorers. Only street legal vehicles are permitted in this desert preserve. ATVs, quads and dune buggies are not permitted; All vehicles must remain on open roads. So read this: No cutting across the desert like a wild man. Save that 'froadin' stuff for the deserts of Barstow baby!

Historic Kelso Depot is now the main Visitors Center for the park. Well worth a visit.