National Preserve · NPS · CA
Mojave National Preserve
Photo: NPS, Kelso Dunes
Alerts and conditions
Information Roadwork begins Nov 16 - closures to S. Kelbaker Road, Kelso Dunes, more
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.
Information NPS Visitor Wi-Fi
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.
Park Closure Hart Mine Road Closed
Hart Mine Road Closed.
Caution Do not pick up hitchhikers
Do not pick up hitchhikers. Please report their locations to law enforcement by calling 911.
Information Delays up to 1 hour are possible at Kelbaker Road Railroad Crossing near Kelso Depot
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
Park Closure Kelso Depot Visitor Center closed
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.
Overview
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.
From the National Park Service
History
The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.
What to see and do
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
Plan your visit
Hours
Park Operating Hours: 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.
Getting there
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.
Visitor centers
- Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center
- Kelso Depot Visitor Center
- Barstow Headquarters Information Desk
Campgrounds
- Hole-in-the-Wall Campground (38 sites) — reserve
- Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground (2 sites) — reserve
- Mid Hills Campground (26 sites) — reserve
Weather
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.
Phone: (760) 252-6100
Whose lands these are
These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.
Photos
Pair it with
- Castle Mountains National Monument NPS · 27 miles
- Mojave Trails National Monument BLM · 35 miles
- Avi Kwa Ame National Monument BLM · 40 miles
- Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area BLM · 60 miles
- Havasu National Wildlife Refuge FWS · 67 miles
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area BLM · 75 miles