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Mojave National Preserve - Area Overview
Mojave National Preserve
Mojave National Preserve

OVERVIEW

Mojave National Preserve, established in 1994 and administered by the U.S. National Park Service, is located in California, due south of Las Vegas. The primary feature of the park is the 1.6 million acres of grand desert vistas and the solitude. The preserve includes 800,000 acres of designated wilderness (50% of the preserve!), three major mountain ranges, 600-foot-high sand dunes, jumbled piles of rocks, volcanic cinder cones with lava flows, dry lakes, wildflowers, and history.

Activities in the preserve primarily are orientated around sightseeing (nature and history), camping, day hiking, and off-highway driving (not off-road driving). People also backpack, picnic, ride horses and bikes, and hunt in the preserve. Guided tours are available of Mitchell Caverns, a California State Park within the preserve.

Mojave National Preserve is located in the Mojave Desert, with biotic influences from the Great Basin Desert (at higher elevations) and Sonoran Desert (at lower elevations in the eastern portion of the preserve). Elevations range from about 800 feet on the western dry lakebeds to about 8,000 feet in the northern mountains.

mojave national preserve

The lower-elevation desert-scrub areas are dominated by scattered Creosote Bush, White Bursage, a few lizards, Jack Rabbits, and Desert Tortoises; the middle elevations are floristically diverse with many species of shrubs, forbs, cacti, and lots of Joshua Trees; and the higher-elevation areas are dominated by Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands with Big Sagebrush, Mule Deer, and Bighorn Sheep. The variation in topography and soils makes for a mix of habitats and a diverse flora and fauna. Bugs unique to Mitchell Caverns add an interesting flavor to the biotic diversity.

Temperatures in lower-elevation areas are similar to those in Las Vegas: daytime summer temps exceed 100 degrees, while daytime winter temps can stay below freezing. Higher-elevation areas are cooler than lower-elevation areas, but summer temps still exceed 90 degrees, and they get snowed-in during winter. Because of the high summer temps, hiking generally is best during October through May. Afternoon thunderstorms are common during July and August, creating flash flood and lightning hazards. Inside Mitchell Caverns it remains about 65 degrees all year.

Services inside the preserve are limited. This is wild country, so bring what you need. Outside the preserve, Baker, Searchlight, Fenner, and a few other small towns provide the usual small-town services, including gasoline. The Cima Store, open Friday to Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM (Oct 2010) provides groceries, snacks, and drinks, but no gasoline.

mojave national preserve

GETTING TO MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE

Link to map.

Mojave National Preserve is located about 2 hours south of Las Vegas.

From Las Vegas, drive south on Interstate-15 into California. About 25 miles past the California-Nevada state line, exit the interstate onto Cima Road (Table 1, Site 0830). Top off your gas tank here, then drive south for 17.6 miles to T-intersection with Cima-Kelso Road. Turn right onto Cima-Kelso Road and drive west for about 0.1 miles to Cima (Site 0831), which is in the center of Mojave National Preserve. Cima town used to have a phone, a post office, and the Cima Store, but it seems to be a ghost town now. From the T-intersection in Cima, continue south on the Cima-Kelso Road for 18.7 miles to the Kelso Depot Visitor Center (Site 1269).

mojave national preserve
Cima Dome from Mid Hills Campground after the fire (view NW)

Along the Cima-Kelso Road, 4.6 miles south of Cima, note the paved Cedar Canyon Road turnoff (Site 0832). This is the road to Mid Hills, Hole-in-the-Wall, and Mitchell Caverns. Turn left onto Cedar Canyon Road (which becomes graded dirt) and drive east for 6.3 miles to Black Canyon Road (Site 0833). Turn right onto Black Canyon Road and drive south on the graded dirt road, passing the Mid Hills turnoff, for 9.5 miles to the Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center Road (Site 0836), which is just beyond Hole-in-the-Wall Campground. Turn right onto the Visitor Center Road and drive west for 0.3 miles to the Visitor Center (Site 0502). This is about 80 miles from Las Vegas.

For Mitchell Caverns, continue south on Black Canyon Road from the Hole-in-the-Wall turnoff for 9.7 miles to at T-intersection with Essex Road (0845). Turn right and drive west on Essex Road for 6.1 miles to the end of the road (Site 0503).

mojave national preserve

HOURS

The preserve is always open. The Kelso Depot Visitor Center is open 9 AM to 5 PM, Friday to Tuesday [closed Wednesday and Thursday due to federal sequester cuts; May 2013]. The Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center is open seasonally when park staff or volunteers are available (i.e., when not on patrol or responding to emergencies) [Saturday 9-4; May 2013]. The Mitchell Caverns Visitor Center is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (plus holiday Mondays).

ENTRANCE FEES

Mojave National Preserve has no entrance fees. Mitchell Caverns has a day-use fee of $10/vehicle, and cave tours cost $10 for adults; kids (16 and younger) and seniors cost $5.

Mojave National Preserve
Mid Hills Campground

CAMPING

Car camping is permitted in three developed campgrounds and in some 300 traditionally used campsites located throughout the Preserve. The three campgrounds (Hole-in-the-Wall, Mid Hills, and Mitchell Caverns) are located in the central portion of the preserve. Hole-in-the-Wall Campground (35 sites) is located at 4,400 feet in open desert with no shade, but with expansive views of the desert and sculptured volcanic mountains. Mid Hills Campground (26 sites) is located at 5,600 feet in a pinyon-juniper forest that gets snowed-in during winter. Mid Hills Campground burned during the Hackberry Fire in June, 2005. Most of the trees burned, but several patches of trees remain that provide shade and shelter from the wind. There are a few sites with grand vistas to the northwest. Mitchell Caverns (6 sites) is located high on the side of a steep ridge (4,300 feet elevation) with no shade, but with fantastic views of the desert to the east. There are no RV hookups in the preserve.

Mojave National Preserve
Same Mid Hills campsite after Hackberry Fire (April 2006)

Traditionally used, dispersed campsites are undeveloped spots along backroads where people have camped for years (i.e., these have, at the least, a bare-dirt parking area and a fire ring). Dispersed camping is allowed at some 300 campsites throughout the preserve, but not along paved roads, not in day-use areas, not within 0.25 miles of water sources, and not in Mitchell Caverns State Park. There are no facilities (i.e., no water, restrooms, or picnic tables) and no camping fees at the dispersed campsites. Do not drive over bushes, expand the parking areas, or make new campsites. The park has inventoried more than 300 traditional campsites, so if you try to make a new one, they will know about it.

People use dispersed campsites to get away from it all, so given a choice, always be considerate and camp away from other campers; this preserves everyone's tranquility and solitude.

Backcountry camping is basically unregulated. Backpackers can camp anywhere in designated backcountry, which is defined as any land more than 0.5 miles from a road (except no camping within 0.25 miles water sources). Backcountry permits are not required. Don't camp in washes if flash floods are possible. No wood fires. Practice Leave-No-Trace techniques.

Mojave National Preserve
Kelso Depot Visitor Center

HIKING PERMITS

None.

HISTORY

Native Americans. Native Americans lived in the area for thousands of years, and evidence of their use can be found throughout the preserve (all archeological resources are protected).

Mojave Road. This Native American trade route was used by settlers during the westward expansion. During the 1860s, the U.S. Army established forts along the road to protect travelers on what had become an important route across the desert, and remnants of the outposts can still be found. The Mojave Road crosses the preserve from Paiute Springs in the east to Soda Lake in the west, but most of it requires a 4WD vehicle. The graded Cedar Canyon Road runs on part of this historical route.

Mojave National Preserve
Cima Store

Kelso Depot. This once-fancy railroad depot was built by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1924 to service steam locomotives. This is now one of only two remaining railroad depots built with Spanish-style architecture. The Park Service has restored the depot building for a Visitor Center, and a concession operates the cafe.

Hole-in-the-Wall. This geologically interesting volcanic area is said to have been used as an outlaw hideout during the late 1800s. The name, they say, comes from a resemblance to Butch Cassidy's Hole-in-the-Wall hideout in Wyoming. The area now includes a campground and a visitor center.

Mojave National Preserve
Mitchell Caverns: entrance to the cave.

MITCHELL CAVERNS

Mitchell Caverns is a California State Park established to protect limestone caves. The caves are elaborately decorated with familiar cave formations (e.g., stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and flowstone), plus some unusual formations (e.g., shields and straws).

The caves are closed except for guided tours led by park staff. Tour fees are based on age: Adults $10, Seniors $5, kids $5. Tours are limited to 15 people. The tours are about 1.5 miles long and last for about 1.5 hours. Tours are not strenuous, but the ground is uneven and not fully accessible due to stairs and narrow passages inside the cave. The caverns are open all year, but only three days per week (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, plus holiday Mondays). Tours fill early, so make reservations in advance. Visit the Mitchell Caverns website for details and current information.

Mitchell Caverns has 6, campsites available through the Reserve California website. The camp has running water and flush toilets. No RV hookups. There are two short, above-ground hiking trails near the campground.

Mojave National Preserve

WATCH OUT

Other than the standard warning about hiking in the desert, ...this is a pretty safe place to hike. However, there are many old mines, and while mines are inherently interesting, it is never safe to enter old mines. Ranchers still run cattle in the preserve, so stay clear of the bulls.

The preserve is open for hunting. It is always open season for something, but be especially careful during the later-half of October when rifle-hunters are looking for deer. Park rangers recommend that hikers stay out of the woods during rifle season.

Mojave National Preserve

During July and August, afternoon thunderstorms are common and create lightning hazards in exposed places and on ridges. Afternoon thunderstorms also cause flash floods. Summer temperatures can exceed 110 degrees, and there is little (if any) shade, so mid-day hiking should be avoided.

In case of emergency, contact any ranger or call 911. Cell phones work in some parts of park, but don't count on it. Without cell service, it might be best to drive out of the preserve to get service along I-15 or I-40. People still live in the preserve, so you might knock on someone's door if it is a true life-and-death emergency; otherwise, don't bother them. If you can cell service, call the Interagency Communications Center at 909.383.5651, which is a centralized dispatch center.

Mojave National Preserve
Mojave Preserve petroglyphs

SOME RULES AND REGULATIONS

Resource Protection. The preserve is regulated like a National Park. Do not collect or otherwise disturb plants, rocks, fossils, historical objects, or artifacts, and do not feed or disturb the wildlife. Collecting wood for campfires, including dead and down wood, is prohibited.

Pets. Unlike most Park Service areas, pets are allowed in the preserve, including backcountry trails. Pets must be on a leash (six-foot maximum) and under physical control at all times, even in the campground. Never leave a pet or child in a vehicle because temperatures inside a car parked in the sun can exceed 120 degrees in just a few minutes, quickly cooking them.

Mojave National Preserve

Vehicles and Bicycles. Motor vehicles must stay on designated roads. Bicycles can be used on roads and on trails that once were roads (i.e., closed roads), but not on other trails. No driving or biking in wilderness areas. All motorized vehicles must be street legal.

Private Property. Private inholdings are scattered throughout the preserve. Please respect property rights and get permission before entering private property. Ranchers use preserve lands to graze cattle, but these lands are still open to the public (don't disturb cattle, fences, or water tanks). Leave gates the way you found them (either open or closed).

Mojave National Preserve

Hunting. The California Department of Fish and Game regulates hunting in the preserve. A state license is required. Shooting is only allowed while legally hunting; plinking and target practice are illegal. Weapons must be unloaded before entering campgrounds. Discharging weapons within 150 yards of any structure or campground is illegal.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information on these topics, visit the Mojave National Preserve website. Park maps are available online.

moja Mojave National Preserve
Hole in the Wall Visitor Center
Hole in the Wall Visitor Center
Mojave National Preserve
Grand vistas
Mojave National Preserve
Cima Dome
Mojave National Preserve
Cave formation inside Mitchell Caverns
Mojave National Preserve
Sunset over Mojave National Preserve (view SW)
Mojave National Preserve
Sunset over Mojave National Preserve (view SW)

Table 1. Highway Coordinates (NAD27; UTM Zone 11S). Download Highway GPS Waypoints (*.gpx) file.

Site # Location UTM Easting UTM Northing Latitude (°N) Longitude (°W) Elevation (feet)
0121 Kelso Dunes Parking 618950 3861679 34.89233 115.69824 2,789
0502 Hole-in-the-Wall VC Parking 646417 3878715 35.04231 115.39474 4,260
0503 Mitchell Caverns parking 635906 3867560 34.94322 115.51176 4,314
0537 Mid Hills Campground 642635 3888357 35.12976 115.43453 5,585
0830 Hwy I-15 at Cima Rd 620348 3922872 35.44382 115.67401 3,727
0831 Kelso-Cima Rd at Cima 636506 3900100 35.23647 115.49983 4,176
0832 Cima-Kelso Rd at Cedar Cyn Rd 635862 3893399 35.17615 115.50802 3,727
0833 Cedar Cyn Rd at Black Cyn Rd 644718 3893322 35.17422 115.41081 5,007
0840 I-15 at Baker 584386 3902446 35.26336 116.07229 951
0842 Aiken Mine Rd at Lava Tube Park 613562 3897252 35.21365 115.75232 3,560
0845 Black Canyon Rd at Essex Rd 644029 3863839 34.90855 115.42348 2,887
0847 Cima Rd at Teutonia Peak TH 631660 3908878 35.31625 115.55167 5,043
1008 I-15 at Nipton Rd 640822 3926437 35.47327 115.44788 3,432
1260 NY Mts Rd at Caruthers Rd 655000 3898274 35.21732 115.29701 5,397
1264 Nipton Rd at Ivanpah Rd 646206 3924856 35.45824 115.38885 2,747
1265 Ivanpah Rd at Morning Star Rd 647345 3919904 35.41344 115.37719 2,837
1269 Kelso Visitor Center 623051 3875074 35.01260 115.65139 2,133
1470 Cedar Cyn Rd at Ivanpah Rd 665583 3888405 35.12668 115.18277 4,083
1474 Essex Road at I-40 653704 3852069 34.80104 115.31978 2,044
1475 Ivanpah Rd at Mojave Road 665257 3889716 35.13855 115.18608 4,104
1476 Kelso-Cima Rd at Macedonia Cyn 632168 3885015 35.10107 115.54991 3,103
1477 I-40 at Kelbaker Road 621084 3842709 34.72106 115.67762 2,953

Happy hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 241010

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