Mojave National Preserve

About Mojave

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.

Hours

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.

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.

Things to do

Astronomy, Auto Off-Roading, Auto and ATV, Backcountry Camping, Backcountry Hiking, Biking, Birdwatching, Bookstore and Park Store, Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, Food, Front-Country Hiking, Group Camping, Hiking, Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use), Horse Camping (see also camping), Horse Trekking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Hunting and Gathering, Junior Ranger Program, Mountain Biking, Museum Exhibits, Off-Trail Permitted Hiking, Park Film, Picnicking, RV Camping, Road Biking, Scenic Driving, Shopping, Stargazing, Wildlife Watching.