{"id":"nps-moja","slug":"mojave-national-preserve","name":"Mojave National Preserve","designation":"National Preserve","category":"national-preserve","categoryLabel":"National Preserve","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"MOJA","designation":"National Preserve","sourceId":"nps-moja"}],"states":["CA"],"stateNames":["California"],"location":{"lat":35.12485941,"lon":-115.5168258},"bbox":[-116.165,34.7169,-114.9492,35.5908],"acres":{"value":1590809,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"Mojave preserves a diverse mosaic of ecological habitats and a 10,000 year history of human connection with the desert. Offering extensive opportunities to experience desert landscapes, the preserve promotes understanding and appreciation for the increasingly threatened resources of the Mojave Desert. This remote preserve encourages a sense of discovery and a connection to wild places.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=35.5908&b_tl_lng=-116.165&b_br_lat=34.7169&b_br_lng=-114.9492","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Mojave%20National%20Preserve","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"cover":{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/A2751C78-ACB9-A19B-D7946503414E34AE.jpg","title":"Kelso Dunes","alt":"Kelso Dunes with rays of light coming through the clouds. Mountains in the background..","credit":"NPS","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm","tier":1,"source":"National Park Service"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/A2751C78-ACB9-A19B-D7946503414E34AE.jpg","title":"Kelso Dunes","alt":"Kelso Dunes with rays of light coming through the clouds. Mountains in the background..","credit":"NPS","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm","source":"National Park Service","cover":true},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C87561A-1DD8-B71B-0BB71D193B42FC5A.jpg","title":"A desert road surrounded by spring wildflowers","alt":"Spring wildflowers carpeting the desert floor","caption":"Many people visit Mojave in the spring season to view stunning wildflower displays.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C875C07-1DD8-B71B-0BD37FF6E79A9EC0.jpg","title":"Desert Wildlife","alt":"A desert tortoise rest in the shade of a bush near some hikers","caption":"Mojave has a great diversity of wildlife. In spring and fall, the elusive desert tortoise can be seen foraging food.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C875A3A-1DD8-B71B-0B978E24674F66B8.jpg","title":"Hiking Opportunities Abound","alt":"A lonely desert trail leads to tall sand dunes","caption":"Mojave has endless options for hikers. Kelso Sand Dunes are a popular trail in cooler months.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C876184-1DD8-B71B-0B2438DAB2E2E1F5.jpg","title":"Stunning Vistas","alt":"A man standing on a mountain peak in front of a wide desert landscape","caption":"Mojave is a hiker's paradise. With no less than 9 named mountain ranges int he park, there's no shortage of amazing views to be had.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C876320-1DD8-B71B-0BFB2A74AD8562D1.jpg","title":"Rich Human History","alt":"A Joshua tree seen though the window of an old miner's cabin","caption":"Visitors can still hear the echos of history here. Evidence of days long past still persist in Mojave. Native American petroglyphs, long-abandoned mines, and cattle ranches still dot the landscape.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Auto and ATV","Auto Off-Roading","Scenic Driving","Astronomy","Stargazing","Biking","Mountain Biking","Road Biking","Camping","Backcountry Camping","Car or Front Country Camping","Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)","Group Camping","RV Camping","Food","Picnicking","Hiking","Backcountry Hiking","Front-Country Hiking","Off-Trail Permitted Hiking","Horse Trekking","Horse Camping (see also camping)","Horseback Riding","Hunting and Gathering","Hunting","Junior Ranger Program","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Museum Exhibits","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["Architecture and Building","Archeology","Ruins","Commerce","Trade","Farming and Agriculture","Ranches","Industry","Mining","Military","US Army","Monuments and Memorials","Native American Heritage","Transportation","Trains and Railroads","Westward Expansion","Homesteading","Animals","Birds","Cats (wild)","Fish","Tortoises and Turtles","Dunes","Fire","Geology","Groundwater","Freshwater Springs","Mountains","Night Sky","Astronomy","Rock Landscapes and Features","Buttes","Scenic Views","Unique Species","Endangered","Volcanoes","Wilderness"],"fees":[],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Park Operating Hours","description":"Outdoor areas of the Mojave National Preserve including trails, roads, campgrounds are OPEN 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Be sure to check Alerts and Conditions for any temporary closures.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"Note: There is no fuel inside the Preserve. Please fill up with gas BEFORE you enter. Park headquarters in Barstow, California is 60 miles from the Preserve, and offers maps and information. Our main visitor center, Kelso Depot, is located inside the Preserve, 95 miles east of Barstow and 90 miles west of Las Vegas at the intersection of Kelso-Cima and Kelbaker Roads. Kelso Depot is currently closed for renovations.","weatherInfo":"Mojave Desert experiences change with the seasons. In winter, freezing temperatures and strong winds can be expected, with rain and snow in the mountains. With enough moisture, spring wildflowers may carpet the desert floor with vivid colors. Summers are hot, and temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit are typical. In summer, adventurers head for the higher elevations such as Mid-Hills and the New York Mountains. The cooler temperatures of fall mark hunting season.","contacts":{"phone":"(760) 252-6100","email":"moja_info@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center","description":"Information, park brochures, drinking water, and passport stamps are available. Limited maps, books, postcards and other items available for purchase with the Western National Parks Association. Public Wifi available for paying campground fees on Pay.Gov. Park maps and Passport to your National Park Stamps available after hours on front porch, to the right of the main entrance door.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":35.04254604775141,"lon":-115.39590050367173},{"name":"Kelso Depot Visitor Center","description":"Originally opened in 1924 as a train station, Kelso Depot was renovated and reopened in 2005 as a Visitor Center for Mojave National Preserve. Exhibits include a baggage room; ticket office and two dormitory rooms have been furnished to illustrate depot life during the first half of the twentieth century. Note: Kelso Depot is temporarily closed for rehabilitation. Wifi calling is available at the Kelso Depot parking lot. The contract is underway, and work is being performed according to schedule.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":35.012179116168035,"lon":-115.65315311771019},{"name":"Barstow Headquarters Information Desk","description":"A small visitor center lobby is located in the front of our Barstow Headquarters.","url":"","lat":34.8713783704,"lon":-117.020246573}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"Hole-in-the-Wall Campground","description":"At 4,400 feet in elevation, Hole-in-the-Wall Campground is surrounded by sculptured volcanic rock walls and makes a great basecamp for hikers. Thirty-five campsites accommodate RVs and tents; two walk-in sites are also available. Maximum RV or trailer length is 30 Feet.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/hole-in-the-wall-campground.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10332664","sites":38},{"name":"Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground","description":"The Black Canyon Equestrian and Group Campground is ideal for larger groups. The group site is available to groups of up to 50 people and up to 30 campers at the equestrian site. Reservations are required.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/black-canyon-group-and-equestrian-campground.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10332661","sites":2},{"name":"Mid Hills Campground","description":"The Hackberry Fire swept through the Mid Hills area in June 2005, burning much of the vegetation. About half of the 26 campsites were left unburned and remain surrounded by pinyon pine and juniper trees. At 5,600 feet in elevation, Mid Hills is much cooler than the desert floor below. The access road is unpaved and not recommended for large motorhomes or trailers. Water is not available at this campground.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/mid-hills-campground.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10332703","sites":26}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"castle-mountains-national-monument","km":43},{"slug":"mojave-trails-national-monument","km":56},{"slug":"avi-kwa-ame-national-monument","km":64},{"slug":"sloan-canyon-national-conservation-area","km":96},{"slug":"havasu-national-wildlife-refuge","km":108},{"slug":"red-rock-canyon-national-conservation-area","km":121}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=moja"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.618Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Roadwork begins Nov 16 - closures to S. Kelbaker Road, Kelso Dunes, more","text":"Starting Monday, November 16th, major roadwork will begin. South Kelbaker Road will close between Kelso and the southern preserve boundary near I-40. Kelso Dunes, Kelso Dunes primitive camping area, and Granite Pass / Kelbaker Boulders primitive camping area will be closed until the South Kelbaker phase of the road project is completed.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/moja/learn/news/major-road-rehabilitation-project-to-begin-in-mojave-national-preserve-nov-16.htm","updated":"2026-11-04 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-1B3A5638-80F4-413D-B4BA-B8DE4028E516"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"NPS Visitor Wi-Fi","text":"Visitor Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi calling is now available in the Kelso Depot parking lot for calls including emergencies. Go to the bulletin board at the Kelso Depot restrooms for instructions.","url":null,"updated":"2026-09-24 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-2A0FB87D-E94E-44F5-B6C6-F060973C7285"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Hart Mine Road Closed","text":"Hart Mine Road Closed.","url":null,"updated":"2026-08-13 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-2F801986-6885-4AD0-B868-1A20A47DAD80"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Caution","title":"Do not pick up hitchhikers","text":"Do not pick up hitchhikers. Please report their locations to law enforcement by calling 911.","url":null,"updated":"2026-07-13 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-4FBE464B-84EF-4A66-96AE-C60E7E85092D"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Delays up to 1 hour are possible at Kelbaker Road Railroad Crossing near Kelso Depot","text":"In the event there are train siding operations at the crossing near Kelso Depot, delays may be up to one hour. Please plan accordingly for this possibility with extra fuel and drinking water. Union Pacific Contact: 1 800 848-8715","url":null,"updated":"2025-09-19 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-7F8876D0-161A-470B-8A06-854B512C8FE8"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Kelso Depot Visitor Center closed","text":"Kelso Depot Visitor Center is closed for rehabilitation of the heating and cooling system. We expect to reopen the depot in 2026. The restrooms beside the depot are open.","url":null,"updated":"2025-09-19 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-64215CE3-542C-480A-B648-6960E808893C"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/mojave-national-preserve/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/mojave-national-preserve.geojson"}