Mojave Wilderness

Images of Mojave Wilderness: Kelso Dunes is one of the largest and most extensive sand dune fields in the United States.

NPS/Christine Schlegel

 

Mojave Wilderness: An Enduring Legacy
In 1994, with the passage of the California Desert Protection Act, Congress designated 695,200 acres of Mojave National Preserve-nearly half of all preserve lands-as wilderness. In Mojave Wilderness, natural processes are unrestrained, giving rise to the rich biodiversity so critical to the health of the global environment. A sample of the diverse landscapes of Mojave Wilderness includes:

• The Zyzyx area and Soda Dry Lake-the vast, desiccated playa of a once great Ice Age lake;
• Kelso Dunes and the sandblasted topography of Devils Playground;
• Cinder Cones Lava Beds, home to at least 32 extinct volcanoes;
• The broad, granitic Cima Dome and the world's largest and densest Joshua tree forest;
• The limestone crags of Clark Mountain-the tallest mountain in the Mojave Desert-and an isolated white fir forest, remnant of the Pleistocene;
• The biotic diversity, rugged topography, and stunning scenery of Piute Range and Granite, Providence, and New York Mountains.

Visitors will indeed find unparalleled opportunities for self-reliant, challenging recreational experiences. But the natural quiet, clear night skies and clean air of Mojave Wilderness also provide a refuge from fast-paced, developed society; a haven from increasing urbanization; a place to reconnect with oneself and with the land. The National Park Service invites you to experience Mojave Wilderness.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Mojave Wilderness.