Alerts & Conditions

 

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COVID-19 Response and Facility Status

The National Park Service and Mojave National Preserve is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, access to Mojave National Preserve is as follows:

OPEN:
Hole-In-The-Wall Information Center, All Trails, Most Restrooms, All Roads, Mid Hills Campground, Hole-In-The-Wall Campground

CLOSED:
Kelso Depot Visitor Center (Due to HVAC System Failure), Hole-In-The-Wall Restrooms (Alternatives available in nearby picnic area)

While the listed areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased, and services may be limited. When recreating, please follow local area health orders and recreate responsibly by keeping social distance, wearing a face covering when social distance cannot be maintained, avoiding high risk activities, and staying home if you feel sick.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

Can I still get a National Park Cancelation Stamp, Park Map, or Junior Ranger Booklet?

  • All Passport to your national park stamps for Mojave National Preserve and Castle Mountains National Monument are available at the Hole-In-The-Wall Information Center
  • Junior Ranger Programs can be downloaded and printed at home. Junior Ranger badges and books can also be obtained in person at Hole-In-The-Wall Information Center. This is subject to ranger staffing. In person materials are subject to change without notice.
  • You can write Mojave National Preserve e-mail us or call us at (760)252-6100 to obtain cancelation stamps, junior ranger books, and Junior Ranger Badges. Please leave us a postal mail address in your email or voicemail message to send the requested materials.

Are emergency services available?

Mojave National Preserve cooperates with internal and external emergency services, which can be contacted dialing 9-1-1

Are ranger walks and other ranger-led programs available?

Evening programs, ranger walks, and ranger talks are not currently available. Visitors are invited to learn more about the park by viewing one of our virtual presentations on our video channel.

Is the bookstore open?

The Mojave National Preserve bookstore is run by our nonprofit partner, the Western National Parks Association. Their bookstore is located within Kelso Depot, which is closed. Their online store is open while Kelso Depot remains closed. Search for "Mojave National Preserve" in their online bookstore

 
See the Directions Tab below for GPS Directions. The mailing address is for the administrative headquarters in Barstow, which is over an hour and a half away Mojave National Preserve's visitor areas.

 

Directions

Cities to use for your GPS to find Mojave National Preserve:

Kelso, California
Hole-in-the-Wall, California
 

Operating Hours & Seasons

Entrance Fees:

 

Fire Conditions at Mojave National Preserve

Check the Fire Conditions to see what is allowed or prohibited for campfires and other open flame activites.
FIreworks are always prohibited.
 

Road Conditions - Updated June 29, 2021

For roads and highways outiside the preserve, visit the Caltrans Highway Information center at Road Conditions (ca.gov) or call (800)427-7623

Watch for potholes on all roads.
Please Obey Posted Speedlimts (55 MPH) for your safety and to help keep the wildlife alive.

  • Black Canyon Road - Open, rough; dirt portion north of Hole-In-The-Wall has deep sand

  • Essex Road - Open

  • Ivanpah Road - Open

  • Kelbaker Road - Open

  • Kelso-Cima Road - Open

  • Cima Road - Open

  • Zzyzx Road - Open to Day Use Area,

    NOTE: Trespassing Prohibited around Buildings of Desert Studies Center without Prior arrangements. Visit CSU Fullerton Website for more information

  • Morningstar Mine Road - Open

 

Current Weather Conditions

 

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Backcountry Road Conditions - Updated June 29, 2021

Warning: Many unimproved and bacgrountry roads in the Preserve require high clearance of 8" or more and 4-wheel drive. Road conditions can change quickly. Cell phone service is unreliable throughout most of Mojave National Preserve. Check with a Ranger for vehicle requirements and conditions on the specific roads you plan to travel before you leave the pavement.

Road

Clearnace

Description

AIKEN MINE ROAD

2WD / 4WD High Clearance

2WD accessible to the lava tube from Kelbaker Road; beyond that 4x4 high clearance only. Rocky with washouts and heavy sand.

BLACK CANYNON ROAD

2WD / 4WD High Clearance

4WD High Clearance required due to recent rains and deep soft sand on road (6/29/2021)

BRANNIGAN MINE ROAD

4WD High Clearance

Sandy with washouts.

CASTLE MOUNTAINS

4WD High Clearance

Very rough roads.

CEDAR CANYON ROAD

2WD / 4WD High Clearance

2WD to Rock Springs and past Black Canyon junction, but beyond that the road has sandy washes and 4WD high clearance is recommended.

If it’s graded and maintained after flooding events, this road could be two-wheel drive accessible. Although, there are sandy sections that a 2WD will get stuck in.

CLARK MOUNTIANS

4WD High Clearance

All roads need 4WD and High Clerance.

COLOSSEUM MINE ROAD

4WD High Clearance

Beyond BLM boundary. Steep grades, impassable in sections.

DEER SPRINGS ROAD

4WD High Clearance

Sandy with deep washouts.

FORT PAIUTE ROAD

4WD High Clearance

Very rocky; no street tires.

GLOBE MINE ROAD

4WD High Clearance

Sandy in spots.

GREEN WELLS CUTOFF

4WD High Clearance

Rocky with washouts.

HIDDEN HILLS ROAD

4WD High Clearance

Sandy with washouts.

IVANPAH ROAD

4WD High Clearance

The dirt portion of Ivanpah Road is not normally accessible to 2WD unless it has been graded recently and there has been no flooding. Otherwise, the dirt area is impassible in areas for 2WD. The dirt area is very sandy and rocky.

Many of the 2WD that drive down the rocky portion, which is on the north side, end up with flat tires. Passenger vehicle street tires are not suitable.

One section of Ivanpah Road past Morning Star road is broken and full of large potholes.

KELSO DUNES ROAD

2WD / 4WD High Clearance

2WD accessible to the camping area, then 4WD High Clearance required.

LANFAIR ROAD

2WD / 4WD High Clearance

Potholes in pavement section. Sandy in the washes, but with no flooding a two-wheel drive could make it to the junction with Ivanpah. Use caution.

MACEDONIA CANYON ROAD

4WD High Clearance

Sandy and rocky.

MOJAVE ROAD

4WD High Clearance

4WD and High Clearance the entire road.

NEW YORK MOUNTAIN ROAD

4WD High Clearance

West of Carothers Canyon, sandy and rocky with washouts.

VALLEY VIEW ROAD

2WD / 4WD High Clearance

2WD until you reach the ranch. Aftwards its 4WD and High Clearance beyond the ranch.

VULCAN MINE ROAD

4WD High Clearance

Very rough on east side.

WALKING BOX RANCH ROAD

2WD / 4WD High Clearance

2WD accessible, but any roads off Walking Box Ranch Road are 4WD high clearance only.

WILDHORSE CANYON ROAD

4WD High Clearance

Sandy and rocky in parts.

WOODS WASH ROAD

4WD High Clearance

Sandy with washouts.

Last updated: July 24, 2021

Contact the Park

Mailing Address:

2701 Barstow Road
Barstow, CA 92311

Phone:

(760) 252-6100

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