Mojave National Preserve

Absolutely stunning and deafeningly quiet, one of the most incredible places on Earth. We took the scenic drive through the Mojave National Preserve on our way to California from Vegas (Cima Rd to Kelso-Cima Rd, then to Kelbaker Rd North), and it was well worth it. We had a rental car with low clearance and without 4-wheel drive, so we stuck to the main roads, which were in good condition when we went. It's definitely worth the detour, and a longer trip if you have the vehicle and experience for it!

I have been all around this area, but not in the Mojave national preserve. It was beautiful and very well-maintained. It’s about an hour and a half from Las Vegas. And there are so many cool abandoned minds to check out. A lot of them have grates over them, but you can still get a really good idea. And there are also great hiking trails.

This place is so mind blowing, I’m from the east coast and this was my first time west, was here in October so not the normal heat. I climbed a volcano, lost my phone so had to climb it again (thanks Apple Watch) explored the lave tubes and that was sooooooo freaking awesome, tried climbing a sand dune but after walking an hour toward something that looked 20 minutes away it still looked 20 minutes away so I had to bail ( I’m in my 50s) and don’t tell anyone but I got to see how fast a rental car can go hehe. It’s really an amazing experience to see the dessert.

We drove through the Mojave Dessert on our way to Joshua Tree National Park. The views were amazing. I do recommend using the bathroom and/or gassing up before driving through the dessert as there are no stops for miles.

If you’re in Las Vegas and want to avoid the crowds, Mojave National Preserve is a great destination. Mojave National Preserve offers miles of empty roads with plenty views of sand dunes, lava tubes, mountain ranges and desert vegetation including Joshua trees. We even came across a campground and a gift shop. However, bring your own food and water because you won’t find fast food restaurants here. The desert offers a different type of beauty so don’t miss out.

Beautiful drive in and out but very desolate. Make sure you have good and water. Especially gas. Loved the short rings trail - do it!! Saw gorgeous colorful mountains, sand dunes, flat flat desert floors. Scenery is just spectacular

Amazing preserve that I hope to visit again when there is more time to explore. Very rugged area with fascinating geology.

One of our favorite parts of our western road trip… we loved walking thru the old lava tubes and climbing thru the trails with the rings. Some of the roads required a high clearance vehicle, which we did not have, so it’s extremely important to navigate carefully.

Desert magic. This is the world's largest concentration of Joshua trees! Surprisingly, it's not Joshua Tree National Park although that's an awesome destination as well. Sadly, many have been burned by the Cima Dome fire (2020) and stand like charred statues. TIPS/NOTES: -Free. -BE PREPARED: Unlike Twentynine Palms (the town adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park), this area is really remote and away from civilization. Bring water, food, ample gasoline, anything you may need for your car health (battery starter, Fix-a-Flat, etc.). Download offline driving maps as you will lose service in the park. Don't depend on Waze for offline mapping as it can be unreliable. Bring a friend. I came here alone and it made me a tiny bit nervous just because it's so remote. -UNPAVED ROADS: Have a driving plan. The GPS will take you on some unpaved roads. If you want to avoid these, you want to have a well-planned route in advance. For instance, I had planned to drive from Kelso Visitor Depot to the Hole in the Wall Visitor Center (to do the Rings Loop Trail). It seemed like a quick detour however it was a 15-mile dirt road (that I took there and back). My car is AWD but it was full washboard at times and my tire light kept coming on. This made me pretty anxious obviously, especially since I was alone. What I should have done is reviewed the map in advance, which would have showed me that I should have done the Rings Loop Trail first, taking a paved route from the other side. If you have a 2WD vehicle or just want to avoid the stress of long unpaved drives, here is the NPS map: https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/upload/MOJAmap1-2.pdf. It shows you paved v. unpaved. Plan your itinerary that way. -VISITOR CENTER: The Kelso Visitor Center is currently closed due to a failure of their climate control systems. It's not anticipated to re-open until Spring 2023! That being said, I still recommend you stop by. They have quite a few signs telling you about the railroad depot's history. There's an old jail, an abandoned general store, etc. I found it fascinating and a worthwhile stop. Also, nice bathrooms. Oh and grab a guide/map from outside the Visitor's Center. -LODGING: There is no lodging in the park and not much within a short driving distance. It also depends where you're starting from and where you end up. You can stay in Baker, although there aren't many options. I recommend going on Airbnb and searching Sandy Valley. You'll get a few hits for properties at Sandy Valley Ranch, including their covered wagon (where I stayed). Very cool experience, at a reasonable price. About an hour drive from the north side of the park. If you're ending things on the south side of the park, there's Needles. I've driven through it and it's a little sketchy. You can also just start your day really early and get the hell out of this area altogether. -ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS: If you like quirky roadside attractions, check out the Amboy Lions, south of the park. -ACTIVITIES: As far as activities in the park go, I recommend checking out the Kelso Visitor Center, the Mojave Cross (interesting history including a legal battle and a theft), and a hike. I chose the quick and easy Rings Loop Trail (you use rings to pull yourself up). There's also the Teutonia Peak Trail, although I think that's where the majority of the charred Joshua trees reside. Additionally, the park offers the Kelso Dunes that I didn't get a chance to see. I believe there is a short unpaved road to get here and I'm not sure how gnarly it is. Do your own research there. Enjoy the beauty of the desert and BE SAFE!

Had the chance to visit a piece of Mojave National Preserve yesterday. The preserve currently offers Teutonia Peak Trail and Kelso Dunes available during the pandemic. The scenery is amazing. The clouds were absolutely breathtaking as a backdrop to the many mountains and peaks. There are places to pull over along the way, you can even have a picnic at The Mojave Cross. Can't wait to come back and visit more of Mojave National Preserve!

I like many of people have experienced this expansive wilderness from I-15 in San Bernardino County. It takes a bit of extra effort to get off the interstate and explore it further. There's a lot of natural beauty away from the road. It takes a lot of time to get to everything. The roads aren't always good, so be prepared. It's hard to account for everything because it's such a large area. It takes up much of San Bernardino County starting at Barstow. This is where you find the headquarters. It has a visitors center. This part of the preserve isn't the most exciting. It gets better the closer you get to Baker. When you get there, you're pretty close to the Kelso Dunes, where you can find a still functioning train depot among other things. If you've driven from LA to Vegas you've been here and may not know it. Look around a bit the next time you're in the area. The park is mostly between Interstates 15 and 40, with most of the best parts around Baker and Kelso.

This is the road less traveled. Newcomers beware! There is zero service and there is nothing on the reserve for miles! Be prepared to make sudden stop for potholes. Flash floods are common out there and will change road conditions in a short period of time. This is one of my favorite drives to make but one should definitely prepare for the unexpected. It's the last place you want to be going without. Enjoy the quiet and the scenery. It's a wonderful place.

Pros: The world's largest Joshua Tree Forest at Teutonia Peak is still impressive, despite being mostly burned. Cons: Sand dunes at Death Valley National Park are much more impressive than Kelso Dunes.

What I can appreciate most about Mojave National Preserve is the efforts taken to maintain its existence. Sure, there's pavement, brick and mortar visitor's centers, and developed campgrounds within the actual park. There are many other human-made structures to accommodate the numbers of people. I won't even mention that fact that it's situated basically between the 15 and 40 interstate highways, but there is that. It's nothing like what the Grand Canyon has become. I love the Grand Canyon, but each time I see it I am saddened a bit more. More hotels and more tourist traps keep emerging. It has truly become engulfed in Edward Abbey's idea of "Industrial Tourism." A very broad definition of this concept begins on page 61 of his book "Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness," however, a whole chapter is dedicated to it in conjunction with the National Parks. In classic Abbey style, he rambles on quite a bit about how humans need to disconnect from and leave their "automobiles" to enjoy nature. He even outlines a few ways in which the Parks should eliminate "automobile traffic." Easier said than done, especially in a place like Mojave. Abbey explains, "Through Congress the tourism industry can bring enormous pressure to bear upon such a slender reed in the executive branch as the poor old Park Service, a pressure which is also exerted on every other possible level--local, state, regional--and through advertising and the well-established habits of a wasteful nation." It is only for future generations that I bring all this up in hopes that as little development in these natural sanctuaries as possible occurs. Keep Mojave the way it is - for Abbey and I have at least one thing in common: our adoration for the desert. Page 269 (same book) reads, "And there is, I suspect, another feeling alive in each of us as we lug these rotting guts across the desert: satisfaction." 2018 Challenge #114

I've visited the Preserve twice now. There is no facilities on site - just some campsites maintained by the BLM, so both times have been drive through Day Trips. The desert scenery is incredible. The trip to the Lava Tube is one of the coolest things I've ever done in my life. The Kelso Dunes were also pretty cool. The Joshua Tree forests along Cima Road and Morning Star Mine Road rival those of Joshua Tree National Park. The visitor center in Kelso has had open bathrooms even when the visitor center has been closed.

Mojave National Preserve could well be considered the step-child of California's parks and preserves. Everyone has heard of Death Valley, Yosemite and Sequoia. And most Angelenos could tell you where the Mojave Desert is, kind of: on the way to Vegas or the Sierras, depending on the person. But few people (and this included me, until this weekend) know that this Preserve protects 1.6 million acres of the most gorgeous and interesting acres of wilderness in our state and the country, including the Cima Dome which is home to the highest concentration of Joshua trees on the planet. Highlights of our trip included: Lava tube: you are able to crawl down into an actual lava tube created in the ancient geologic past of this area. Make sure you have a Jeep or the like: the road out there is five miles and unpaved in a very challenging way. Kelso Dunes: gorgeous sand dunes which are home to several species of plants and animals native to the area. Kelso Depot Visitor Center: A former train depot that has been converted to a nice visitor center with friendly rangers, a gift shop and displays about the history of the area (including a clay pot thousands of years old made by the Mojave residents of the area) Hole-in-the-Wall: The fascinating rock formations in the area were created by a volcanic explosion millions of years ago. As the volcanic ash settled, it trapped gas bubbles which then creating the Swiss-cheese-like formations you will find here. Wonderful trails. We saw lots of wildlife (maybe because it was cooler than normal for our trip) including a roadrunner, a mule deer. a coyote, tons of rabbits and birds, gazillions of lizards and lots of the Mojave ground squirrel. There are flashing red lights at some of the entrances warning you to watch out for tortoises. Pictures and words cannot capture the feeling of vast expanse that will envelop you as you drive through the Preserve. Make sure that your car is in excellent shape, full of gas and don't try roads that might be challenging for your vehicle. Take lots of water and snacks in case you get stranded No fee. But then peace and tranquility are priceless.

It's probably a safe bet Mojave National Preserve is the most visited national park. However, all but a sliver are headed to Las Vegas and never enter the park. The I-15 freeway is the northern border of the park from Zzyzx to almost the Nevada stateline. In all the years of driving through the desert terrain, I would've never imagined that in this park you can find beautiful towering sand dunes, lava tubes that you can walk through, and beautiful scenic hikes where you see wild horses grazing nearby and indian hieroglyphics. Yes, all of this can be experienced in Mojave National Preserve. The park is home to abundant wildlife, including bobcats, mountain lion, mule deer, big horn sheep, great horn and barn owls, and the desert tortoise. There are many volcanic sites including cinder cones and lava tubes, from activities 18 million years ago. At night, the sky lights up spectacularly with a zillion stars and the milky way is clearly visible. SUVs are the best for criscrossing the park as some of the roads are gravel and rough but passenger cars with good clearance will work too. The park facilities are well maintained. We camped at the Hole-In-The-Wall campground which had a great covered picnic table area. Mojave National Preserve may be less known than Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks but has unique attractions that are definitely worth visiting.

The trek of Angelinos to the cult of Joshua Tree often makes it impossible to get a campsite there. No problem. Drive north and behold the lonesome landscape of the Mojave National Preserve. It's a combination of Death Valley and Joshua Tree. Unless a band makes this place famous, too -- damn you, U2 -- you won't have a problem finding a plot of land to call your own overnight. I like to visit as winter turns to spring because here, those two seasons often clash mightily and whirling clouds of cold and snow can be seen within the same vista of warm sand dunes. It's primitive here and, as of this writing, rains have turned some of the smooth blacktop roads into potholed craters. Such is the force of nature and, really, isn't that why your here anyway?

Closed at zzyzx rd. Literally the stupidest thing ever. And covid as the excuse? Somebody make this make sense. Been there a few times before, its fine. Its very nice for sunrises and sunsets, the lava tubes are neat, but honestly, stop playing games and open the convenient entrance at zzyzx. Death valley is open, and packed. This is stupid.

3.5 stars. Stranded. In the Mojave Desert. The name Death Valley started to make sense to us. All exaggeration aside, we could see how one could easily die of thirst/starvation/homicide here. No joke! I had expected a park ranger to drive by at some point, but I guess that's not a thing here. So ALWAYS hike with a friend, no matter where it is, or how short you'll think it be! I'm very glad I did, because our experience seemed more like an adventure than a nightmare. And it also helped that one of us had a cell signal. :) Read Stephanie P.'s great advice here before you come here. Thank goodness the weather was perfect the day we visited!! We took back roads, so our little rental car got stuck in the sand for hours. None of the roads have signs, so you're still screwed if you have car issues, even if you're lucky enough to have a cell signal and GPS. (The tow truck company we hired did not have GPS, so our bill neared $1000. Ugh. Lesson learned!) LOTS of rocky, sandy terrain. It also stunk here...I guess that's eau of the desert for ya! No one was around except for by the Lava Tubes and Visitor Center. Nonetheless, the Mojave Lava Tubes were beautiful!! Definitely worth the venture. It's a short hike, but come prepared and drive a 4x4, for goodness sake!

Mojave National Preserve is for those who want to experience a national park in the SoCal desert but prefer to avoid the crowds that flock to Joshua Tree and who don't want to make the trek to Death Valley (although they're missing out on the super-spectacular there). Plenty of off-road wilderness, hiking, camping. The Kelso dunes are spectacular and if you need a joshua tree fix, you got it. Lots of igneous stuff for the volcanologists, too. Check out the lava tubes and the cinder cones off Aiken Mine Rd. I've been here a few times but need to explore the place more. I just have trouble peeling myself away from Death Valley. Oh yeah, if you need a another reason to visit: desert tortoise. Seen a couple of these critters. Treat them like you would your grandmother.

My visit was in early February 2017 on a road trip from Las Vegas to San Diego, so while we didn't get a completely indepth visit as some who are camped and hiked here, we say enough to make us all return. The Mojave has a different kind of beauty - a starkness that is captivating and manages to show you something different at every turn. Get off the beaten path and travel the less travelled roads. You will be amazed at what you have just under your fingertips.

I love this place there is so much there to cover everything to be honest you most likely will need to make multiple trips. There is a lot of hidden gems from volunteer cabins to lava tubes that make a great place to take photographs. Do your research pack supplies and be aware of what you are getting into not a whole lot of services but a awesome place if you love the outdoors.

It's a 1.6 million acre preserve. Admission is free but not visited like other southwest National Parks bestowing upon it a unique silence which can be quite remarkable. If you want to experience the sounds of silence visit Mojave National Preserve by day or night. That was my experience when I visited the preserve on my trip from Laughlin to Las Vegas. I did not drive the length of the preserve from Interstate 40 to 15 but what I did experience and see was a unique and diversified habitat. With a good rainfall in the winter and spring months, as much as 250 different wildflowers can be produced.. There were not nearly that many when I visited.The Joshua trees along Cima road are fabulous. If you have the time take the 3 mile hike on the Teutonia Trail for spectacular views of the most densely populated grouping of Joshua trees in the world. The Kelso Dunes were also a highlight. They are also a 3 mile hike but because of the loose sand it will take you several hours to do the distance. I was told they are rose colored at sunset and sunrise. Time was running late so I missed the Hole-in-the-Wall Nature Trail. You can learn to identify desert plants, Nerds like myself enjoy such things. Many people find the Kelso Visitor's Center interesting. I usually stop at visitor's centers just to have ranger's plan my visit but did not on this trip. There are over a thousand miles of dirt roads so the map given out and explained at the visitor center is really worthwhile if you are going to do those roads. GPS systems are notoriously unreliable and getting lost is a real concern. Paper maps and your ability to use a compass can be life saving. Clark Mountain at 7,929' is the highest point in the preserve. These mountains are mostly of granite composition and are 2.5 billion years old. Volcanic tuffs and yucca add additional diversity to the landscape. Buzz Aldrian described the moon as "Magnificent Desolation". He might of said the same for Mojave National Preserve.

I'm not sure what there is to say about this place really. Trying to describe the beauty of this place with words is NOT possible. We spent two days exploring this preserve and travelled to nearly every corner of it. We are avid ghost town explorers, and there are several located on the preserve and in the very immediate surrounding area (feel free to contact me if you need pointers). We were impressed by how easily passible the majority of the roads were. They aren't perfectly maintained, but given the resources of the parks system and the size of preserves and parks in the surrounding area, this park is definitely not neglected. We went in February and the temperatures ranged from 40-65 depending on what part of the park we were in (there was snow on the mountain peaks when we were there). Strongly recommend! You don't even have to be an outdoor person to enjoy this, it's a beautiful place to even just drive through! Yelp 100 Review Challenge 2016: #20

Loved it....the sheer vastness of it is incredible...how did people ever cross this without cars / roads / trains? True pioneers.... Beautiful, enormous vistas - approached from the south (via the famous Route 66) and crossed from south to north....temperature changes of over 25 Fahrenheit within the park alone tells you all you need to know. Very taken with the vast emptiness of it!

IN SEARCH OF A HOLE IN THE WALL REVIEW #300!!! BACKGROUND: Singing sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, Joshua tree forests, and carpets of wildflowers are all found at this 1.6 million acre park. A visit to its canyons, mountains and mesas will reveal long-abandoned mines, homesteads, and rock-walled military outposts. Located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Mojave provides serenity and solitude from major metropolitan areas. STATS: Distance: 6 mile loop Elevation: Very minimal Rock climbing: Class 3 ESSENTIALS: At least 3 liters of water Know your limits Comfy hiking shoes with good lugs Layered Clothing Gloves with gripage High protein food/snacks Electrolytes Camera Hat (optional) Sunscreen Trek poles (optional) OTHER RESOURCES: http://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm OUR ROUTE: Starting point for this loop hike on a single track trail was at the Hole in the Wall Information Center. A slow gradual incline get the heart pumping and the blood flowing, a really good thing if you've been sitting in the car driving or as a passenger for hours, or if you spent the night at the nearby campground. Following the trail westward then north looping around Barbar Peak on an old road, we couldn't help but to stumble every once in awhile as we looked up at the amazing rock formations and the sky, the sky on the day of this hike was so amazingly beautiful. Scattered big white cotton ball clouds on a rich blue canvas, while the shadows on the rocks from the bright sun danced across the dessert. As the trail meandered south we found ourselves in what I can only describe as an above ground open air cavern, or a rock gallery. Rocks almost cut like wedges of swiss cheese, with peak-a-boo holes and all, we took a break from walking and climbed through the holes and around on the rocks. And what's this? Located in Banshee Canyon are a set of steel rods in the rocks with rings attached. Ok, this is a new one for us. Having climbed rocks and boulders, ropes and ladders, now we can add rings to our climbing resume. Are there any other methods? Rumor has it that there are petroglyphs and wild horses and free range cattle on this hike, unfortunately we didn't come across any of these sites. Hopefully the next time we hike this area we will be able to experience such a magnificent scene. DISCLAIMER: Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please, if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepared. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing. Some areas the weather can change quicker than a fireman can put on his gear. It is also very important, always always always let a family member or friend know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Lastly, have fun when you hike it up. Review 33 Yelp 100+ Challenge 2015 #HIKING #TRAIL #ROCKS #CLIMBING #VISTAS #CAMPING

Awesome campground! My wife, my brother, and I camped here in 2005. This National Park (National Preserve, actually) is amazing and this campground is gorgeous. Since it's a high desert campground above 5,500' in elevation it's noticeably cooler than the surrounding desert floor. We were there in October of 2005 and the lower desert nearby was about 80F, while Mid Hills was about 70F...but at night it got really cold (about 40F)! The campground is tucked away in pinyon and juniper woods and is extremely pretty, quiet, and peaceful. However, if you are planning to visit, BE PREPARED. This place is seriously in the middle of freakin' nowhere! Other than ranger stations and campgrounds, there is nothing here...and I mean nothing. No gas stations, no hospitals, no grocery stores, no cell phone reception, NOTHING! So take plenty of food, water, gas, first aid, batteries, toothpaste, and whatever else you'll need. Still, it's well worth the trip! NOTE: There was a forest fire since I last visited so, from what I understand, some of the Mid Hills area was partially burned. From what I hear, only certain areas in these hills burned and half the campsite is charred but the other half is still pretty and green. I haven't seen for myself though, so I'd recommend contacting the ranger station prior visiting.

If u live in So Cal u should visit here at least once. Maybe on ur way to Vegas some time Go to the Kelso train station museum. U can off road the Mojave trail like 100 miles from Yermo to searchlight. Interesting terrain

The Mojave National Preserve was set up in 1996 to protect the wilderness of the High Mojave Desert from development. This would come as a shock to the Spanish, who first came through here in 1776 and counted it one of the least friendly and useful environments on the face of the earth. If it wasn't for the mostly paved roads, you could convince yourself that you were the first human being to ever drive through here. You access this wilderness out of Baker, a sleepy roadside town on Interstate 15 an hour out of Las Vegas. Kelbaker Road takes you south past the Devil's Playground and Soda Lake to the near-ghost town of Kelso and its legendary sand dunes. Off to the left are Hole-In-the-Wall canyon, the Cima Dome volcanic fields, and the vast Joshua Tree forests of the Lanfair Valley. Off to the right, the deserted mine shafts and sand dunes around the glorious Afton Canyon. At the bottom end, Interstate 40 runs through the black charcoal hills all the way to Needles, the hottest place in America. You could wander around this wasteland for days, uncovering one breathtaking sight after another, if it wasn't for petrol, food, and water (none of which can be found here). The legendary explorers John C. Frémont and Kit Carson came through in 1844 while establishing what they called the Old Spanish Trail. This was the most difficult trade route overland from Colorado to Southern California, and the Mojave was its most arduous stretch. So why come here at all? Because it makes Death Valley look positively pampered. Because you can drive here at any speed you choose and wander off the roads for days without ever seeing another human being. Because for all the reports you hear today about Americans being a soft people, places like this remind you that the west was settled by a tough, violent, supremely obstinate race of human beings.

I've been camping in the Mojave Desert for years now, one of my favorite places in the world and its truly a serene setting to get away from the City (whichever City you're from). So many different sights to see and hikes to enjoy. And starting a small campfire out in the backcountry wilderness and roughing it for a few days is a great change of pace. My favorite places are going to the Lava Tubes, Sand Dunes, some of the old ghost towns, and exploring gold and other types of mines which are all over the place.

I have visited only once (2009) and I would love to return. In short, this was a Vegas trip and I chose this place over Death Valley because it was much closer. I was not disappointed. There are many pics online for your viewing pleasure to see what all this place has to offer. There are colorful mountain views, native desert plants, lava beds, and plenty of large boulders to hop around on. I was playing like I was a kid. The landscape changes around each bend of the road (Note: in the desert, it seems like it takes longer to reach each bend of the road!) Again, it's a neat place and I hope to return.

I have been to the Mojave National Preserve many times, but yesterday was the first time I did a hike there. First, we drive down to visit two historical sites on the Mojave Road, Camp Rock Spring and Government Holes. Very interesting places and some wonderful history and geology. Then we headed south on Black Canyon Road to the Hole in the Wall Visitor Center. Just past the VC, we hiked down the rings and followed the Mid Hills trail, part of which is also the Barber Peak Trail. We followed the Barber Peak Trail and just over 6 miles later, we were back at the Visitor Center having spent a very enjoyable time hiking. This is a very enjoyable hike!

Mojave is probably best if you are going to actually hike around or camp. If, like me, you're just making a stop on the way to other places, you can drive up the paved road and enjoy the landscape from your car. From I-40 you can take the Kelebaker Road exit for the Mojave National Preserve. Go left under the highway and you can drive into Mojave, go right towards the mountains and you're on your way to Joshua Tree National Park. Both places are beautiful photo ops for those just passing through. Notes: This page is helpful if you're looking for the best route to drive through: http://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/things2do.htm.

This is not a national park, but a preserve where you may see cattle ranches and mining operations in full swing. Nonetheless, there is lots of open space and a wide variety of environments to explore. We stayed in Barstow and took trips here for two days. We liked the Teutonia Peak Trail as a day hike. The Rock Spring area has a lot of history to be investigated. If you want a hyper-desert experience, you can check out the Kelso Dunes (be warned that walking on sand dunes can be very exhausting, so take it slow and easy!) Most of the roads are either rugged pavement, gravel, or dirt. The Park Service can put you onto some nice hiking areas, but a four wheeler is the way of adventure here. The best season is winter when temperatures are low, but be warned that you might run into snowstorms in the higher elevations!

For those seeking everything from the Mojave, they may find nothing. For those who wish only to experience what the Mojave is willing to give, they may find everything. And a big thanks to ranger Kevin for his generosity in helping me get my truck unstuck.

We went right before a rain storm, and the desert just came alive. Drove from Joshua tree to here. Didn't take too long, gorgeous drive. Stopped at the Kelso dunes and hiked a little. Not too difficult. There were little kids hiking it with their families. After that went to Kelso depot, which still has train tracks running through it. They have some exhibits and a gift shop there. We then continued north towards the largest and densest grove of Joshua trees in the world. Seriously, Mojave has more Joshua trees than Joshua Tree does. Really wanted to do the mine tour, but we arrived on the wrong day. It's Fridays to Sundays. Beautiful place even if you're just driving through.

This is a majestic, serene, location that requires multiple days to take in the desert scenery. Some locations within Mojave can be as much as 30 miles apart and require hiking to get to some of the exotic locales. My favorites are the pillowy soft Kelso Dunes which are soft mounds of sand surrounded by stark black mountains. The area I like best is near the entrance leading directly in from Amboy. Here you will see Yucca trees and young Joshua Trees without the aged twisted branches of their older variety. Make sure to also visit the volcanic lava mountains as they are beautiful. Enjoy your trip, bring 2 gallons of water per person and make sure you have a full tank of gasoline.

Absolutely stunning, especially after our trip to Joshua Tree National Park and overnight in Joshua Tree, CA. It was a beautiful drive on a chilly day (50s), but the skies were crisp and clear for the miles of road we drove. You could see for miles, and the snow-capped mountains made way into vistas to boulders and flat desert with very little vegetation, then finally to miles of Joshua Trees--more so than we saw at the JTNP. As others have said, there's no true way to describe this place other than the appreciation one has for nature from viewing it. There's so much more to see there that we didn't, and it's now on our bucket list to return to for an adventure!

Tried to visit the center during spring 2016 but it was closed so decided to drive to Hole in the Wall.

Wasnt a while lot to do. Drove turn a 6 mile long road to find it wasnt complete and fhey were painting it. The view is beautiful but far to get to. I think a dirt road leads to a few places but didnt want to try it on my car. I think it would be better in a truck.

Mojave National Preserve is a preserve that I have driven by a few times on my way from Joshua Tree to Vegas. I never thought to stop in, but when New Years 2010 camping party included some friends with a dog, Joshua Tree was no longer an option. The next best option? Mojave National Preserve. Upon entering the park, we were charged no fee. We headed over to the Hole-in-the-Wall campground which was about 20 minutes from the preserve's South entrance. All the roads were paved up to the campsite, so boogeying about 60-70 mph was no problem. NYE morning we headed out for Teutonia Peak Trail. This trail boasts one of the densest Joshua Tree forests in the world. As the trial rises, you leave the forest and head in a more rocky hike with views of several surrounding and distant mountain ranges. A must stop for anyone with a round trip distance of just over 3 miles. Later that day we headed over to Mitchell Caverns and were sad to have missed the 3 pm tour. They have 3 tours per day. The fee is $6. We missed it, but I will update with photos. Apparently this place is nuts. That night, the Hole-in-the-Wall campsite fit our needs with a huge firepit, plenty of flat land for three tents, and a lot of room between each site. Grills attached to the firepits allow you to move the coals over and cook steaks, burgers, hot dogs, etc. Bring a grill brush! Again, the site was dog friendly, as were the trails. Day 2 brought a hike from the Midland Hill campgrounds to the Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center. It's called Mid Hills to Hole-in-the-Wall trail. Go figure. The trail can be misleading at times. We got lost for a half an hour. Bring a compass as the trail is vague at times and will lead you East instead of SW. This trail starts off less than exciting but the last half of the 7.3 mile trek is amazing. The last part leads you through the actual Hole-in-the-Wall shich is very strenuous and requires rings. Your dog will not make it, nor will you hikers who are not nimble. No fear, there are other ways around. The strnuous part with rings is probably the best couple hundred yards of hiking I have experienced at any National Park/Preserve. If you happen to be out at Joshua Tree, by Vegas, or in Death Valley and are looking for a great hike, you will not be disappointed with Mojave National Preserve.

We camped at Hole in the Wall and it was FREEZING (March 2012). But near this campground there is a GREAT little hike, where you can appreciate bizarre rock formations that have registered different volcanic activity. Incredible to walk before sunset. Next day we passed through a forest of joshua trees, more of these than in the NP with the same name. That same day we went to conquer Kelso dunes. Worth the try, but better take off your shoes when climbing up. On a clear day you get to see some snowy mountains (no clue which one we saw).

This was the first stop on our grand Road Trip of Thanksgiving, 2007, so this is not really a current review, but still relevant. The preserve is a newer addition to the NPS roster and is a very large piece of land. It is essentially all of the desert east of Barstow between I-15 and I-40. There are a lot of interesting things to see and you will find that it is basically deserted compared to the more popular national parks. You can access the preserve from either freeway and there is an info center in Barstow but it was closed on Thanksgiving day. We were running short on daylight being that it was November so our main goal was to see the new visitors center located in the Kelso train depot. (Kelso is an abandoned town located about equidistant from the two freeways and south of Baker. We had actually been to the depot two times before when it was still abandoned because we are just the type of people who will drive down a road to see where it goes.) The Kelso Depot has been beautifully restored and will provide you with some great photo ops. Trains still come through here but don't stop. Mainly the stop in Kelso was to fill up with water and and switch to diesel from steam engines pretty much eliminated the need. This is why the town of Kelso is no longer the "booming metropolis" it once was. In the gift shop here we picked up a really interesting DVD by Huell Howser (yeah, we are PBS nerds too) about the history and restoration of the depot in which he interviews quite a few people who lived in Kelso during its heyday. A good purchase and highly recommended. There are many other places to see the beauty of the desert within this preserve and you will find something educational at all of them. On they way home from Utah at the tail end of our trip we ended up taking another side trip down into the Preserve by exiting the 15 at Zzyzx Rd (yeah, you have wondered about that exit every time you've driven to Vegas, just admit it!) It was late in the day so the colors of the mountains were stunning. There is a big flat dry lake along the road, and you are not supposed to go off-roading there but a bunch of a-holes do, they go out and do doughnuts without even realizing that they are driving through a really cool and unique ecosystem. The road is unpaved but we had no problem driving it in our Vue with only front wheel drive but I would rethink that if it was wet weather. Down at the end of the road is a university research station (Cal State Fullerton Desert Studies Center) and a spring-fed lake that serves as a stopover for migratory birds. Apparently it also used to be some sort of resort town. There is also a parking area and vault toilets. So there! Now you know! Next time you drive to Vegas you can wow your traveling companions with that little tidbit of knowledge! I am rating MNP 5 stars because I can't imagine rating a National Park less than that...yep, I'm a National Park nerd too...and while the desert may seem boring and empty to most people it is actually a really interesting place. Plus it is just cool that all of this land is protected. Plus something about the out-of-the-way-ness just amazes me and the quiet here is like a quiet you won't find too many places. One other tidbit - there is a state park located within the preserve boundaries also - Providence Mountains State Rec Area - we did not make it here but they have cave tours. I think it would be worth checking out.

This Visitor's Center doesn't seem to get many visitors. And, given the approximately 600 sq. foot space designated as the Visitor's Center, I can see why. The staff was nevertheless friendly and glad to see that someone had come in to check out its offerings. On this visit, I picked up a National Parks patch. The have very few other items for purchase. At the time of my transaction, I was informed by the attendant that the register wasn't working and that they had no change to give. Having only a $20, the attendant went into her purse to break my $20. That was nice. The restroom facility, should you need to use it, is very clean. Although, you can hear the toilet flush, quite loudly I must add, all the way outside.

So - first, my review for the visitor center, since that's what this listing represents... the Barstow Visitor Center. We dropped in, obviously on our way to the Preserve. We were sadly but not surprisingly the only people in the Center. The ranger/attendant was extremely cheerful, helpful and pleasant. She confirmed a good hike for us to do and encouraged us to drive through the park after our hike, rather than go back the the highway and go around. My only complaint is that she told us to check out the Kelso Dunes which we thought were a little meh. Small but full of souvenirs too. Nice Visitor Center! Second - the Preserve itself. Nice, quiet and barely anyone else out there. We did the Teutonia Peak Trail because we wanted to see Joshua Trees. It was great, not only was the hike full of JTs but so was the drive TO the trail. We didn't really check out any other trails but I highly recommend Teutonia Peak... 4 miles total and includes a nice, but reasonable incline with nice views of the park.

We drove an hour, and it's all the same --- lots of Joshua Trees, more joshua trees, rocks, and more rocks..... It's a desert! We didn't make it to the visitor center

I absolutely love and miss going here do much. I used to camp in late May every year in Essex, Hole in the Wall, Providence Mountains. High desert areas all around here. Essex is way off the beaten path for most, I rarely saw another car or human while out here. So come prepared with plenty of water and gas! Extra gas too! Watch for rattlesnakes as well.

So we started in Afton Canyon and followed as much of the Mojave trail as possible until we got lost. We ended up in Kelso but the trip was fun. I have several things to still find but for now I will post a few pics if the buried box cars we found along the way.

We stayed off of the Cima Rd exit off of the 15 fwy. It is very remote and finding a suitable campsite for a trailer is no problem. If dry camping is what you like then this is a great place to go. In not a huge OHV person however if I was then maybe this is not the best as only plated vehicles can take advantage. Kelso dunes, lava tubes, miles of isolation make this place great. Some of the negative reviews are or were not warrented. I believe I read that this preserve is the step child of the National Park system. I like it better than the National Parks I have visited for the reason of being able to camp at large, dogs are welcome, and the crowds are not to be seen like they are in the Parks. Anzo Borrego National Preserve is great as well however I prefer the Eastern Mojave desert for its diversity of landscape and openness. Tent camping is great for the kids but my wife prefers to have the amenities a trailer provides. Mojave has unlimited areas where a trailer can be pulled, well away from any paved roads...not to be seen from a paved road. Mitchell Caverns has been closed for quiet some time however according to their website it looks like they may open again in the near future. The caverns would be another great reason to visit the mojave.

If you love the outdoors, this is the place to go! There are tons of places to go to. You can visit salt flats on soda lake. You can explore volcanoes and lava tubes. If you are in for a nice hike, you can go year round to different locations. In the winter, the high elevations are quite cold while the low elevations are much more moderate. In the summer, the high elevations are cooler (80s-90s) while the low elevations are blazing hot (110+). You can visit sand dunes, or granite mountains. Watch trains. Learn about mining history. Climb limestone cliffs. Limestone caves. look at wildlife. See the dense Joshua tree forest. After a wet winter, there is a colorful spring from the wildflowers. The Mojave National preserve is what I think of as one of the last hidden jewels in California. It isn't crowed at all. Its all protected, with no ATVs tearing up the land. -If you are going to Vegas from LA or vice versa, take Kelbaker Road from the i40 to the i15 near Nipton. Its an amazing drive that gives a taste of what there is in the park. *be sure to have gas, food, and water. There is little to no civilization in the park, only the remains of the past.

Great Off Roading Trip My Husband & I Took Our Sons To, A lot of Rocks & Dry Streambeds. If your a fan of extreme off roading you will love it here, the area is in the Calico area on the way to Vegas if you want some adventure this is a great place to take the family for the day of if you have an RV you can camp and hang out, beautiful views, spring time is a good time the temps are not too bad summer would be swealtering!! Fun Family Time!

On my way home from Laughlin, I decided to visit the desert preserves and take scenic photos. Coming in on Essex Rd off Highway 40, the road was paved with asphalt for several miles before becoming a smooth hard packed dirt road. My first stop was at the Ranger Station to use the restroom and check out the Hole in the Wall hill created by hot lava. The hiking trail is behind the ranger station. Check out the park's online information for details about the wilderness park. Aside from the desert, there are many different types of hills, one area was full of trees on the hills, another area had Joshua trees, there was a sand dune and an old train station with an old style u-shape cafe. The station is now a museum, it used to house railroad workers. Check out the huge clean bathrooms downstairs. Entrance into the park is free, but there is a fee for overnight camping and the Mitchell Caverns was closed due Calif politicians' budget. The politicians also closed the lava tube area off of the 15 Freeway. The park is massive. During my 100 mile drive through half the park, I only saw 3-4 SUV's coming the opposite direction. No cars passed me even though I stopped frequently on the 2-lane road to take pictures. From the train station back to Highway 40, the road is nicely paved and the speed limit is about 60 mph. The 3 mile side road leading to the sand dunes is hard packed soil, although not as nicely as the dirt roads on the main drag. Drive slowly on this road because it is not well marked and small tents pop up here and there among the bushes. If you like desert landscapes and rock formation, this is the park for you. If you think rocks are dumb, better go to the beach instead and stare at tanned guys and gals.

Mojave National Preserve was a surprise favourite on our American Road Trip. We visited in September and camped at Hole in the Wall Campground which has stunning views all around you but is also very exposed to the sun. It was by far one of our favourite campsites of all the ones visited on our 3 week trip as it was so peaceful, at night you could here the Coyotes and there was another Mouse like rodent paying us a visit during Dinner. Also there is a great walk that starts by the visitor centre that takes you through the hole in the wall, called the Rings. It is a pretty short hike but it takes you right into the canyon where you then use these rings to climb up in a few sections which is fairly physically demanding but the view is gorgeous. We also started the Kelso Sand Dunes hike but the rest of my party stopped cause they were getting too hot, we also made a bird friend who then subsequently followed us and flew across our car almost the whole way out on the dirt road (weirdest bird behaviour I've ever seen). Also at the North of the park is the Joshua Tree forests which apparently are more dense then the ones in its National Park. Overall, this is a beautiful slice of paradise that's free to enter. Just remember to bring all the water and food you need as its a fair way out to any services, and fill up with gas. Also a lot of the park is dirt road where conditions change regularly cause of the shifting sand and monsoon rains (which literally attacked us just as we got out of the park) so high clearance or 4x4 depending on the road is recommended.

My kids and I love this place! The rings loop trail is a must! We even took our three year old and helped him up the rings. The scenery is beautiful. Stay after dark and look for the Milky Way too!

Because this is a National Preserve, it doesn't get the funding and infrastructure of a National Park or Monument. It shows. The roads are in bad shape and it's not well designed to show off the features of the park. But hey, it's free. My ranked list of activities in the northern half of the park near Interstate 15: - I-15 Scenic Detour (4 out of 5 stars): We took the Park Service's suggested driving tour of Mohave that exits I-15 at Baker, CA to detour through the preserve and then rejoin the freeway just south of Primm, NV. Due to road work, the scenic detour had a construction detour and we returned to the freeway via Cima Road. It was a nice two-hour side trip while going to Vegas. We viewed ashy cinder cones and a black lava flow, but couldn't see where to stop and hike them. We visited the Kelso Depot and saw the Kelso Dunes in the distance. We drove through the world's largest and densest Joshua tree forest northwest of Cima. The tallest and healthiest yucca trees I've seen, it was a better Joshua tree experience than at Joshua Tree National Park. - Kelso Depot Visitor Center (3/5): A former train station, there were plenty of educational displays about the area. The best feature in the center was the giant restored lunch counter which retained its old-school style. - Teutonia Peak Trailhead (3/5): Not set up with many vistas, this was one of the few stopping points in the park. Located between Cima and I-15, there is a memorial, mountains in the distance, a Joshua tree forest, and big rocks to walk on. Check the NPS website for "park alerts" before going - particularly for road closures and delays.

yay, nature! i definitely appreciate this place for what it is. however... there were a few aspects of our visit that, i gotta say, made me a little sad. granted, we had limited time (only half a day), and it was winter, so i'm sure there was much less color than you might find in the spring. we also had the pleasure of talking with a ranger at the depot, who lamented (some might say "ranted") the following: --the closing of many state parks, including the caverns here at mojave, which he said had already been graffitied, and which we had wanted to see. :( --the stupidity of people who have depleted mojave's desert tortoise population by taking them home as pets, where--duh--the tortoises don't survive. :( :( --the prevalence of people speeding through this area on their way to and from vegas, getting ticketed at an average speed of 110mph and causing accidents and deaths. :( :-| @$)(#$&#)&$!!! hmmm, that conversation may have helped set my mood... but what we did get to enjoy was the world's largest and densest joshua tree forest, which was pretty cool. joshua trees are so weird & freaky looking, which of course makes them appealing to me. and then we saw the kelso dunes, which were kind of a letdown after our breathtaking experience at the death valley sand dunes. we hiked for quite a while, but didn't gain much altitude. i would've liked to get up higher and to hear the booming of the sand when you jump (look it up). the views of the mountains around the dunes were fancy, tho. the ranger had also advised us that our little rental car wouldn't do too well on some of the other roads, so this is what we were limited to. like i said, i appreciate it, but don't have a desire to go back. i'd rather spend a week in death valley.