Mojave National Preserve

Mojave National Preserve's vast expanse of desert lands include elements of three of the four major North American deserts: the Mojave, Great Basin, and Sonoran. The preserve's unique ecology is attributed to its remarkable geology. The desert is a land of old mountain ranges, sand dunes, great mesas and volcanic features such as cinder cones, domes, and lava flows; these features contribute to the remarkable beauty of the landscape. The most ancient rocks in the preserve, found in the Clark Mountains, are 2.5 billion years old.

Changes in elevation and soil type, combined with dozens of seeps and springs, many in sheltered canyons, create a wide range of microhabitats that support a rich diversity of plants and animals. Some species are only found in this area. Notable plant assemblages include one of the largest and most dense Joshua Tree forests, cactus gardens, and reelect plant communities of white fir and chaparral.

Signs of animal life are subtle and easily overlooked. Birds and lizards are seen most frequently, but time of day, weather, and season all play a role in determining which animals are active. A large percentage of desert animals are nocturnal: being active at night rather than during daylight hours allows them to avoid high daytime temperatures and predators. Typical nocturnal animals include most desert rodents, bats, owls, mountain lion, skunks, and foxes. Other animals are crepuscular, active at dawn and dusk, and include coyotes, bighorn sheep and jackrabbits. Diurnal animals, those active during the day, are the most dynamic in that their activity periods will change based on temperature and season.

The weather is generally most comfortable in the spring and fall. Temperatures vary greatly by elevation. At low elevations, daytime highs are in the 70s (°F) in March; lows are in the 40s. Highs over 100 °F (38 °C) typically begin in May and can last into October. In the mountains, daytime highs are in the 70s in May; lows are in the 50s. Winters can bring freezing temperatures and occasional snows, with daytime highs in the 50s and 60s.

Annual precipitation ranges from 3.5 in (89 mm) at lower elevations to nearly 10 inches in the mountains. Most rain falls between November and April; summer thunderstorms may bring sudden, heavy rainfall. The driest months are May and June. Winds are a prominent feature of Mojave Desert weather. Strong winds occur in fall, late winter, and early spring months.

• Park website
• 🌍 Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center, 2 Black Canyon Road, Essex, ☏ +1 760-252-6100. F-Mo 10AM-4PM. This information center offers basic orientation, and a 12-minute film about the preserve. There is also a bookstore, restroom, water and telephone available. Exhibits under renovation. (updated Jul 2022)
• 🌍 Kelso Depot Visitor Center, 90942 Kelso-Cima Road, Kelso, ☏ +1 760-252-6100. (closed for repairs; expected to reopen Spring 2023). Opened in 1924 as a train station, Kelso Depot is an old two-story Union Pacific station built in the Spanish style. The depot narrowly escaped demolition in the 1980s before being taken over by the National Park Service, renovated, and reopened in 2005 as the visitor center for Mojave National Preserve. Former dormitory rooms contain exhibits describing the cultural and natural history of the surrounding desert. The baggage room, ticket office, and two dormitory rooms have been historically furnished to illustrate life in the depot in the first half of the 20th century. A 20-minute orientation film is shown in the theater. Downstairs. the Desert Light Gallery features rotating fine art collections by local artists, focusing on the cultural history and natural splendors of Mojave National Preserve. (updated Jul 2022)

The preserve is easily reached via I-15 or I-40 east of Barstow, and west of Needles and Las Vegas. There are six freeway exits that provide visitor access.

Baker, the northwest entrance to the preserve, is served by Amtrak's bus service, providing connections to Amtrak trains.

The nearest airport is north in:

• Las Vegas at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS ^IATA), 60 mi (97 km) from the eastern boundary of the preserve.

A little further away to the southwest is:

• Palm Springs at Palm Springs International Airport (PSP ^IATA) — 125–175 miles (201–282 km) from the western boundaries of the preserve.
• Ontario at Ontario International Airport (ONT ^IATA) — 140–160 miles (230–260 km) from the western boundaries of the preserve.

• Mountain biking — Seasoned mountain bikers will enjoy the challenges of some of the preserve's backcountry roads. Bicycle Camping in and around Mojave National Preserve provides a travelogue of a sample bicycle trip in the area.

• Four-wheel-driving — The multi-day drive along the historic Mojave Road is a favorite of serious four-wheel-drive enthusiasts (off-road riding not permitted however).

• Barber Peak Trail. 6 miles (9.7 km). (updated Nov 2021)
• Kelso Dunes Trail, (refer to See section above).
• Hole-in-the-Wall Nature Trail (trailhead at the Hole-in-the-Wall information Center). An easy hike, 0.5 miles (0.80 km). (updated Nov 2021)
• Mid Hills to Hole-in-the-Wall Trail (Mid Hills Campground). 8 miles (13 km) one way. The trail may be difficult to navigate; bring a map and pay attention to it. (updated Nov 2021)
• Rings Loop. A loop trail, 1.5 miles (2.4 km), which goes through Banshee Canyon and past ancient rock art; you climb out of the canyon using metal rings attached to the rock. (updated Nov 2021)
• Rock Springs Trail. 1 mile (1.6 km). Trail with information about the area's mining and military history. (updated Nov 2021)
• Teutonia Peak Trail. 3 miles (4.8 km), about 2–3 hours. Goes through an area that was once home to a Joshua tree forest, but it was severely affected by the 2020 Dome Fire. The landscape is expected to change significantly as the fire-damaged trees die and grasses colonize the area. (updated Nov 2021)

There is no commercial lodging inside the preserve. Motels are available at Primm, Nevada and a small, antique bed-and-breakfast is available at Nipton on the preserve's northern edge.

Car camping is available both in developed campgrounds or along roads in sites that have traditionally been used for that purpose. Do not camp along paved roads, and never camp within 200 yards of water sources.

If a fire-ring is already there, camping is permitted. It appears that the rangers have built fire-rings in many obvious camping sites. Do not build a new fire-ring. Firewood collecting is not allowed in the preserve, nor is firewood available for sale.

• 🌍 Black Canyon Equestrian & Group Campground (across the road from Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center), ☏ +1 760-252-6100. (year round) Facilities include pit toilets, water, and a picnic shelter with tables. ($25 per group per night; reservations required). (updated Jul 2022)
• 🌍 Hole-in-the-Wall Campground, ☏ +1 760-252-6100. (year round) First-come first-serve; resevations not accepted. Surrounded by sculptured volcanic rock walls, the Hole-in-the-Wall Campground is at 4,400 feet elevation. The 35 campsites are large enough for motorhomes and trailers. Two walk-in tent sites are also available. Facilities include pit toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and trashcans. There are no utility hookups but there is a dump station. ($12 per site per night; $6 per site per night for Golden Age/Access Passport holders). (updated Jul 2022)
• 🌍 Mid Hills Campground (access road is unpaved; not recommended for motorhomes or trailers), ☏ +1 760-252-6100. No water. First-come first-serve; resevations not accepted. Nestled in pinyon pine and juniper trees at 5,600 feet, Mid Hills Campground is much cooler than the desert floor below. The road to the campground is not paved and is not recommended for motorhomes or trailers. There are 26 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. Pit toilets, trashcans, fire rings, picnic tables. ($12 per site per night; $6 per site per night for Golden Age/Access Passport holders). (updated Jul 2022)
• Providence Mountains State Recreation Area (Mitchell Caverns), ☏ +1 760-928-2586. Offers six campsites on a first-come, first-served basis. Cave tours of the Mitchell Caverns attract many people. This is a small campground that is entirely surrounded by the preserve, though administratively not part of it. The location is on an east-facing mountain ledge with beautiful views and sunrises, where the wind can sometimes be quite fierce. (updated Jul 2022)

The preserve also offers undeveloped or dispersed camping and backcountry camping opportunities.

Much of the preserve is federally designated wilderness, where mechanized travel by car or bicycle is prohibited. Only travel by horse or foot is allowed in these areas. A network of backcountry roads, often suitable only for four-wheel-drive vehicles or, sometimes, well-equipped mountain bikes, provides access to many of these areas.

Campsites are often found sporadically along backcountry roads in the preserve. If a fire-ring is already present, camping is permitted.