Drive slowly and exercise due caution when driving in Mojave National Preserve. Rough and damaged roads exist on both paved and unpaved roads. Watch for potholes.
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Expert Verdict & Insider Tips
For anyone traveling through California, Mojave National Preserve provides a refreshing and educational outdoor adventure. This national preserve is highly recommended for visitors who want to learn about the area's heritage while enjoying scenic trails and local wildlife.
About Mojave National Preserve
Mojave National Preserve is a national preserve located in California. 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.
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.
💰 Entrance Fees & Passes
Entry to Mojave is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.
🥾 Things to Do
Mojave National Preserve offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Auto and ATV, Auto Off-Roading, Scenic Driving, Astronomy, and 28 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.
📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist
Custom items selected for activities at Mojave
📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Mojave
- →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Mojave before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
- →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 5 active alerts for Mojave. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
- →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Mojave get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
- →Pack Map Backups: Cell coverage is notoriously spotty or non-existent in remote sections of Mojave. Download offline maps (such as on AllTrails or Google Maps) and carry a physical compass and paper map.
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.
Seasonal Visitor Guides
Frequently Asked Questions about Mojave
About the Author
James R. Mitchell
Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data
James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.
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