National park · United States
Mojave National Preserve
Enter free — no gate fee, but you need your own car: sights sit 30–60 km (19–37 mi) apart. Do Teutonia Peak (3 mi) plus the Kelso Dunes climb in one day; go October–April, start before 9:00 in May and September, skip July–August heat.Enter free — no gate fee, but you need your own car: sights sit 30–60 km (19–37 mi) apart. Do Teutonia Peak (3 mi) plus the Kelso Dunes climb in one day; go October–April, start before 9:00 AM in May and September, skip July–August heat.Enter free — no gate fee, but you need your own car: sights sit 19–37 mi (30–60 km) apart. Do Teutonia Peak (3 mi) plus the Kelso Dunes climb in one day; go October–April, start before 9:00 in May and September, skip July–August heat.Enter free — no gate fee, but you need your own car: sights sit 19–37 mi (30–60 km) apart. Do Teutonia Peak (3 mi) plus the Kelso Dunes climb in one day; go October–April, start before 9:00 AM in May and September, skip July–August heat.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
6,475 km² (2,500 sq mi)2,500 sq mi (6,475 km²)
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 6,475 km² (2,500 sq mi)2,500 sq mi (6,475 km²)
- About 1.6 million acres (6,475 km²); the boundary is irregular and figures vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Mojave National Preserve is a 1.6-million-acre stretch of desert between Barstow and the Nevada line, where the Mojave, Great Basin and Sonoran deserts meet. There is no entrance gate and no entrance fee: you drive in from six freeway exits on I-15 and I-40. What you get for the drive is volcanic cinder cones, lava tubes, one of California's tallest dune fields, a Joshua tree forest recovering from a 2020 fire, and two small campgrounds in the pinyon-juniper high country. It is a park for people who already have a car, a full water bottle and a paper map.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1994.
Size and age
6,475 km² (2,500 sq mi)2,500 sq mi (6,475 km²) · national park since 1994
About 1.6 million acres (6,475 km²); the boundary is irregular and figures vary slightly by source (check).
Why go
- No entrance fee and no reservation: you drive in, park and walk.
- Kelso Dunes rise about 180 m above the surrounding basin and 'boom' when dry sand slides.
- A lava tube you can walk into 27,000 years after it formed — bring a torch.
- The high country at Mid Hills and Hole-in-the-Wall is 10–15 °C (18–27 °F) cooler than the desert floor, with two cheap campgrounds.The high country at Mid Hills and Hole-in-the-Wall is 18–27 °F (10–15 °C) cooler than the desert floor, with two cheap campgrounds.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCold nights, often below freezing; clear days
- FebCool and windy; snow possible in the mountains
- MarMild days, wildflowers in good rain years
- AprWarm, dry, best all-round month
- MayHighs over 38 °C (100 °F) start on the floor; walk earlyHighs over 100 °F (38 °C) start on the floor; walk early
- JunVery hot and dry; stick to the high country
- JulMonsoon storms, flash-flood risk in canyons
- AugHottest and wettest of the summer months
- SepStill hot; storms taper late in the month
- OctCooling fast, dry, good camping
- NovMild days, cold nights, quiet
- DecCold; snow on the higher roads
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bighorn sheep and coyotes (most active at dawn and dusk)All year · Look in the Providence and Clark mountains; sightings are never guaranteed. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Desert birds and lizardsMar–May, Sep–Oct · Most visible in the cooler shoulder seasons, early morning. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wildflowers after a wet winterMar–May · Depends entirely on winter rain; some years there is almost nothing. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Nocturnal rodents, bats, owls and foxesAll year · Active after dark; do not handle any animal. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Las Vegas
I-15 south to one of the Cima Road, Kelbaker Road or Nipton Road exits, then paved preserve roads.
1–1.5 h to the eastern boundary
Open the page →
From Barstow
I-15 east, then Kelbaker Road south from Baker or Cima Road from the Cima exit.
1.5–2 h to Kelso
Open the page →
From Los Angeles
I-15 north-east past Barstow; the drive is the trip, so plan a night in Baker or at the campgrounds.
3.5–4.5 h
Open the page →
From Baker
Amtrak Thruway bus stops in Baker; from there you need your own car — there is no shuttle into the preserve.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kelso and the dunes | Kelso Depot, the Kelso Dunes trailhead and the paved Kelbaker Road crossing. | Open; check the current status of the Kelso Depot visitor centre before relying on it. |
| Hole-in-the-Wall and Mid Hills | Volcanic rock walls, Rings Loop and the high-country campgrounds at 1,340–1,700 m. | Open; Black Canyon Road is paved, the Mid Hills access road is not. |
| Cima Dome and Teutonia Peak | The broad granite dome and the Joshua tree country burned in the 2020 Dome Fire. | Open; walk from the Cima Road trailhead. |
| Providence Mountains | Mitchell Caverns and the small state-park campground, surrounded by the preserve. | Caverns by guided tour only; check current tour times and seasonal closures with California State Parks. |
| Wilderness | Large federally designated wilderness blocks in the centre and south. | Foot and horse only; no cars or bikes. |
Sketch map
- 1Kelso Depot · Headquarters≈35.012, -115.653Historic 1924 Union Pacific station, the preserve's main visitor centre when open.Map ↗
- 2Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center · Gate≈35.043, -115.396Basic orientation, water and a bookshop; Rings Loop starts here.Map ↗
- 3Kelso Dunes trailhead · Trail≈34.909, -115.769Car park off Kelso Dunes Road; no 4WD needed.Map ↗
- 4Teutonia Peak trailhead · Trail≈35.289, -115.585Off Cima Road, on the flanks of Cima Dome.Map ↗
- 5Lava tube · Cave≈35.216, -115.751Short walk from the Aiken Mine Road area; bring a torch.Map ↗
- 6Mitchell Caverns · Cave≈34.941, -115.514Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, inside the preserve boundary.Map ↗
- 7Hole-in-the-Wall Campground · Sleep≈35.045, -115.393Map ↗
- 8Mid Hills Campground · Sleep≈35.132, -115.436Unpaved access road.Map ↗
- 9Baker · Town≈35.265, -116.075Nearest town with fuel, food and motels.Map ↗
Take the points offline
9 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only; the preserve centre point comes from public coordinates. Verify trailheads on the official park map before driving.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance | Free | vehicle | No entrance fee at Mojave National Preserve; there is no entrance station. |
| Hole-in-the-Wall or Mid Hills campground | US$12 | site per night | 2026 estimate; first-come, first-served, no reservations. Half price with a Golden Age or Access pass. Check current NPS rates. |
| Black Canyon group campground | US$25 | group per night | 2026 estimate; reservation required. Check current NPS rates. |
| Mitchell Caverns (Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, inside the preserve boundary) | US$10 | vehicle day use | 2026 estimate; cave tours cost extra, about $10 adult, $9 senior, $5 child. Run by California State Parks, not NPS. Check current rates and tour times with California State Parks. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping no permit
Ivanpah dry lake bed (just outside the boundary, BLM land) permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$12
- US$25
- US$10
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NPS — Mojave National Preserve before you go.
Park rules
- Water
- Carry far more than you think you need. Public water is limited to the campgrounds, the Kelso Depot washrooms and a few stores outside the boundary.
- Camping
- Do not camp along paved roads and never within about 200 yards of a water source. Camp only where a fire ring already exists; do not build new ones.
- Firewood
- Collecting firewood is not allowed in the preserve, and none is sold inside it.
- Wilderness areas
- Cars and bicycles are prohibited in designated wilderness; travel on foot or by horse.
- Drones
- Not allowed to launch or land on NPS land without permission (check current rules).check
- Leave no trace
- Pack out all rubbish; there is no collection in the backcountry.
Where to stay
In the park
Hole-in-the-Wall Campground
35 sites at about 1,340 m among volcanic rock walls, first-come first-served, no reservations. Pit toilets, tables, fire rings, no hookups.
In the park
Mid Hills Campground
26 sites at about 1,700 m in pinyon pine and juniper — much cooler than the floor. Unpaved access road, not suitable for motorhomes or trailers, no water.
In the park
Black Canyon group campground
Group site opposite the Hole-in-the-Wall information centre; reservation required.
In the park
Dispersed camping
Allowed along many backcountry roads where a fire ring already exists; no facilities.
Near the park
Baker
Motels, fuel and food on I-15 at the north-west corner of the preserve.
Near the park
Nipton and Primm
A small inn at Nipton on the northern edge, and chain motels at Primm on the Nevada line.
Safety
Heat and dehydration high
Flash floods medium
No phone signal high
Remote roads medium
Cold nights and snow low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The paved roads to Kelso, Hole-in-the-Wall and the Kelso Dunes car park are suitable for any car, with short walks from the car parks.
- The dunes, lava tube, Rings Loop and Teutonia Peak are sand, rock or uneven steps and are not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- Visitor facilities are limited: the Kelso Depot visitor centre has been closed for repairs, so check what is open before you rely on it.
Visiting lightly
- Take all rubbish out; there is no collection in the backcountry.
- Do not collect firewood, rocks, plants or artefacts — everything is protected.
- Stay on existing tracks and camp only in established or already-used sites to keep the desert crust intact.
- Do not feed or handle wildlife, and keep your distance from bighorn sheep.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mojave National Preserve?
Nothing. There is no entrance station and no entrance fee — you drive in free from I-15 or I-40. You pay only for camping ($12 per site per night, 2026 estimate), the Black Canyon group site ($25 per group) and the separately run Mitchell Caverns day use and tours.
What are the best hikes in Mojave National Preserve?
Teutonia Peak (3 miles, 2–3 hours) for the Cima Dome view, Kelso Dunes (3 miles, 2–3 hours) for the sand climb and the booming sound, and Rings Loop (1.5 miles, 1 hour) for the metal-ring scramble through Banshee Canyon. The Mid Hills to Hole-in-the-Wall Trail is 8 miles one way and needs solid navigation.
When is the best time to visit Mojave National Preserve?
March, April, October and November. Days are mild, nights are cold and the light is good. May and September are workable if you walk before 9:00. June to August is too hot on the desert floor — if you go then, stay in the Mid Hills high country and watch for afternoon storms.
Do I need a reservation or permit?
No permit for entry or for the developed campgrounds, which are first-come, first-served. The Black Canyon group site needs a reservation, and land sailing on the Ivanpah dry lake bed outside the boundary needs a BLM permit.
Can I visit without a car?
Not realistically. Amtrak's bus stops at Baker, but there is no shuttle or public transport inside the preserve and the distances between sights are 30–60 km on paved and dirt roads. You need your own vehicle.
Is Mojave National Preserve the same as Joshua Tree?
No. Joshua Tree National Park is south of Amboy and has its own entrance fee and campgrounds. Mojave National Preserve is a separate, free NPS unit between Barstow and the Nevada line.
Where can I stay near Mojave National Preserve?
Inside, only the two NPS campgrounds and dispersed sites. Outside, Baker on I-15 has motels and fuel, Nipton on the northern edge has a small inn, and Primm on the Nevada line has chain motels.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNPS — Mojave National Preserve
- officialNPS — Mojave campgrounds
- officialNPS — Mojave trails
- officialCalifornia State Parks — Providence Mountains SRA (Mitchell Caverns)
- officialBLM — Ivanpah Windsailing Special Recreation Management Area
- secondaryWikipedia — Mojave National Preserve
- secondaryWikivoyage: Mojave National Preserve, revision 5296618 (CC BY-SA 4.0)