Mojave camping

Camping in Mojave National Preserve is an enjoyable and rewarding experience for visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. Developed campgrounds are ideal for less experienced campers or visitors with passenger vehicles and RVs, while previously used undeveloped roadside camping sites offer a more wild experience for well-prepared four-wheel-drive vehicle based campers.

For the adventurous and dedicated expert desert backpacker, there are more that , acres of wilderness to explore on foot.

Be sure to follow our camping regulations.

Mid hills campground mojave Really wanting to be as close to the dried salt lake area where you can literally yell out and hear your voice echo for miles we discovered Hole-In-The-Wall. A permit ranger may be able to assist you and your group to find an appropriate site to stay. Limited space. Site 9.

Average Weather at the Developed Campgrounds

Average Day and Night Temperatures (°F)	Mid Hills Campground 5, ft elevation	Hole-in-the-Wall Campground 4, ft elevation
April to May	_{Day 45°F to 65°F Night 35°F to 50°F}	_{Day 55°F to 75°F Night 45°F to 60°F}
June to August	_{Day 60°F to °F Night 55°F to 80°F}	_{Day 70°F to °F Night 65°F to 75°F}
September to October	_{Day 45°F to 70°F Night 40°F to 60°F}	_{Day 55°F to 80°F Night 50°F to 70°F}
November to March	_{Day 30°F to 50°F Night 10°F to 30°F}	_{Day 40°F to 60°F Night 20°F to 40°F}

Horses and riders are welcome in Mojave National Preserve!

Horses and/or other pack animals (llamas and mules) are permitted on all trails, backcountry roads, and open country (including wilderness areas) within the preserve.

Developed camping facilities are available at the Black Canyon Equestrian & Group Campground. Backcountry users should familiarize themselves with guidelines and regulations for backcountry travel and camping, as well as the following:

Free-trailing or loose-herding is prohibited throughout the preserve
Ranging/grazing is prohibited; Livestock must be fed certified weed-free hay or pelleted food before arrival and during their stay in the preserve.
All manure should be raked out and spread over a large area.
Horse camps should be at least yards from a water source.
Up to 7 animals are allowed per group; othwerwise, a Special Use Permit is required.

Horse rentals are unavailable in the preserve.

So, bring your own horse (B.Y.O.H.).

Backpackers will enjoy sweeping views, solitude, nearly , acres of designated wilderness, and a truly dark nighttime canopy of countless stars.

Hole-in the-wall mojave: Washing dishes or clothing is not permitted at water faucets. Coordinates Hole-in-the-Wall Campground Mojave National Preserve Mojave preserves a diverse mosaic of ecological habitats and a 10, year history of human connection with the desert. Human waste must be buried at least 6 inches deep, toilet paper needs to be packed out as trash.

There is rarely naturally occuring water in the preserve, so prepare to carry all your own water or create an itinerary that stops by either park sources at Hole-in-the-Wall or Kelso Depot. Make sure you contact us prior to your trip about your plans for parking your vehicle overnight. This helps us monitor the preserve for abandoned vehicles.

Camping outside of developed campgrounds takes extra skill in route-finding, handling unimproved roads, planning ahead, and attention to the Leave No Trace principles to protect the wildness of Mojave National Preserve backcountry. The follwing rules and guidelines apply:

Firewood collecting is not allowed, save the rare downed wood for the plants and wildlife that need healthy soil.

Bring firewood with you from outside the preserve (if fire conditions permit)
Use only prexisting sites on durable surfaces, do not park on undisturbed soil or vegetation
Do not build new rings.
Do not make new sites. If you see crunched vegation, or have to drive over any, its not a legal site, find an alternative spot
Pack it in, pack it out, including your toilet paper - no body likes to see or pick up used toilet paper, especially your fellow campers
Bury human waste at least 6 inches deep, or pack it out as well.
Find a site that fits your group.

Do not expand the size of the site to accomodate extra vehicles or tents.

Groups with 8 or more vehicles and/or 25 or more people require a special use permit. Large unpermitted groups have caused extensive damage to vegetation and soil.
Most roadside & undeveliped camping areas require a high clearnance, four wheel drive vehicle to access safely.

Roadside or Undeveloped Campsites

Undeveloped roadside campsites are an option for well-prepared campers who are self-sufficient and have a vehicle that can handle rougher road conditions.

Hole in the wall campground mojave national preserve map But if that was a fluke or I had an RV, I would consider another stay there. Access to trails right from campground, and information center within sight. Hidden Hills Cactus gardens, relict plant communities of white fir and chaparral and the densest, largest Joshua tree forest are all found here.

Most sites require a high clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle to access, while a select few can be found where two-wheel drive high clearance would be adequate. (Note that backcountry road conditions can change at anytime) There is a day camping limit. There is no fee to camp at an undeveloped campground.

Roadside and Undeveloped Camping Regulations

Roadside and undeveloped camping must be in previously used sites outside of any posted no camping areas, or areas listed below.
In order to protect sensitive habitat for wildlife, campsites must be more than yards from any natural or constructed water source.
Groups over 7 vehicles/ 25 people and/or organized events will need to obtain a permit Large groups can cause extensive damage to vegetation in non permitted areas.

A permit ranger may be able to assist you and your group to find an appropriate site to stay.
Vehicles must remain in previously disturbed areas.
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Mojave national preserve map
Dispersed camping mojave national preserve
Hole-in the-wall campground map
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The creation of new campsites will not be allowed. Driving off of established roads is not permitted.

Campfires are allowed in existing fire ring or in a fire pan. Constructing New Fire rings is not allowed
Collecting and or cutting firewood is prohibited in the Preserve. Bring your firewood with your from outside the preserve
Backcountry campers may camp anywhere in the Preserve outside of designated day use only areas but must erect their tent out of sight of paved roads.
Trash must be packed out, leave the area cleaner than you found it.
Human waste must be buried at least 6 inches deep, toilet paper needs to be packed out as trash.

Nobody likes to find used toilet paper on their national park expereince.
Do not bury or leave behind any food scraps, trash, or compost.
Hole in the wall campground mojave Just keep in mind that the road to get there can be a bit long and bumpy, so plan accordingly. Wonderful surroundings. Month of Visit September. Did we forget something?
This attracts ravens and other predators of the threatened desert tortoise.

Areas Where Camping is prohibited

All areas within ¼ mile of paved roads, unless formally designated as a camping area.
The access road to the Kelso Dunes, the parking lot, and the area north of the road to the crest of the dunes, or a distance of 1 mile, and the area ¼ mile south of the road.
All areas within ¼ mile of the access road to Zzyzx, including the visitor parking lot.
All areas within ½ mile of Fort Piute.
All areas within ½ mile of the Kelso Depot.

Additional undeveloped campsites can be found here

Caution:

No maintenance is performed on dirt roads in Mojave National Preserve.

Drivers should be prepared for a wilderness experience with rough and narrow roads, no turn arounds, soft sand, and self-rescue and survial. Drivers are advised not go beyond the GPS points. Wilderness dirt roads were not designed to support RVs. Going beyond the GPS points increases your chances of getting stuck.

Please do additional research prior to heading to any undeveloped campsite.

Black Canyon Road

Name

GPS

Miles from the Freeway

Class Size

Hazard Warnings

Black Canyon North Site

Miles from I

A, B, C

Large rocks and desert pin stripping.

Hole in the wall campground mojave desert Ian S. Washing dishes or clothing is not permitted at water faucets. Potable water and a hose to refill your freshwater non potable. Dare To Everywhere.

Limited space.

Black Canyon South Site

Miles from I

A, B, C

Narrow with some divits.

Cima Road

Name

GPS

Miles from the Freeway

Class Size

Hazard Warnings

Sunrise Rocks

Miles from I

A, B, C

Rocky road and soft sand.

4WD recommned.

Kelbaker Road

Name	GPS	Miles from the Freeway	Class Size	Hazard Warnings
Soda Dry Lake View	,	Miles from I	A, B, C	Soft sand and no turn around beyond GPS point. Soft sand at final right turn into the campsite.
Black Tank Wash	,	Miles from	A, B, C	Camp East of Kelbaker Road; Soft sand West of Kelbaker Road.
Vulcan Mine Road	,	Miles from I; Miles from I	A, B, C	No turn around beyond GPS Point. 4WD and High Clearance beyond GPS Point.
Kelso Dunes Mine	,	Miles from I; Miles from I	A, B, C	Washboard road beyond hiking trailhead.
Hidden Hills	,	Miles from I	Small RVs B,C	Uneven dirt road.
Van Winkle Mountain	,	Miles from I	Small RVs B,C	Desert pin striping hazard. May hear gun shots during quail hunting season.
Dharma Tower	,	Miles from I	Small RVs B,C	Turn on to dirt road at this coordinate. Google Maps will send you the wrong way if you use the tower coordinates. Tower wires may limit taller RVs.
Kelbaker Boulders	,	Miles from I	Small RVs B,C	Soft sand and 4WD beyond GPS coordinates.

Undeveloped Campsites

Information about camping in undeveloped campsites can be found here.