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Road construction will begin on November 16th, 2026.
South Kelbaker Road will close between Kelso and the southern preserve boundary on Monday, November 16th, 2026. Kelso Dunes, Kelso Dunes primitive camping area, and Granite Pass / Kelbaker Boulders primitive camping area will be closed until the South Kelbaker phase of the road project is completed.
This is the first phase of a major road rehabilitation and safety improvement project along approximately 42 miles roads in Mojave National Preserve. Construction will occur in phases and require road closures throughout the project. Closures may result in significant additional travel time, particularly for motorists traveling through the region. Travelers are encouraged to plan ahead, check current road conditions, and identify alternate routes before departing.
The multiyear project is expected to be completed in 2029.
The rustic Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center (Information Center) is the primary place to stop by to learn more about the preserve and get your passport stamp.
Image Courtesy of Ironhorse Overland
Facility Status
CLOSED:
Kelso Depot Visitor Center Indoor Area.
Wifi calling is available at Kelso Depot parking lot.
OPEN:
Kelso Cima, Cima, Kelbaker, Morning Star Mine, Ivanpah, Lanfair, and all other primary paved roads.
Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center (Water available)
Hole-in-the-Wall Campground and Midhills Campground
Hole-in-the-Wall Picnic Area
Kelso Depot outdoor areas, restrooms, parking lot, water filling
Kelso Dunes Road and Trails
All 4WD roads (use at your own risk)
Primary Roads
Caution: Rough Pavement Conditions May Exist
Many of the paved roads in the preserve were constructed decades ago, and are showing their wear with narrow shoulders, drop offs, and recurring potholes. Use at your own risk, drive carefully.
Road
Status
Notes
Black Canyon Road (paved from Essex Road to Hole in the Wall area, unpaved to north)
OPEN
Caution
Some washboard and debris from recent rains. Debris and shoulder washouts on southern paved sections near intersection with Essex Road.
Essex Road (paved)
OPEN
Caution
Debris and numerous washouts near the intersection with Black Canyon Road.
Use this road to access Mitchell Caverns and the Hole in the Wall Visitor Center. Do not follow GPS directions onto a dirt road.
Ivanpah/Lanfair Road (mostly unpaved)
OPEN
Some washboard, debris and mud due to rainstorms. Sharp drop offs on the shoulder in some areas.
Kelbaker Road (paved)
OPEN
Watch for potholes and travel with caution. Some areas with shoulder washouts resulting in steep drops.
CAUTION: Subject to 1 Hour delays at Kelso railroad crossing
Cedar Canyon (mostly unpaved)
OPEN
Some washboard and bumps, often muddy following rain.
Kelso-Cima Road (paved)
OPEN
Use caution and watch for tortoise on roadway. Dirt and rocks in some of the low spots in the eastern section of the road.
Cima Road (paved)
OPEN Caution
Shoulders are washed out in some areas, resulting in steep drop offs along the northern six miles of the road. Debris often present following rainstorms.
Morningstar Mine Road (paved)
OPEN
Use caution and watch for tortoise on roadway. Some shoulder washouts. Potholes.
Zzyzx Road (mostly paved)
OPEN
Use caution on small gravel section with potholes and ruts. Rocks and debris on the roadway that could cause vehicle damage. Large puddles also in the roadway.
Trips off pavement require an extra level of preparedness for all sorts of rocky, sandy, and other tire-puncturing terrain. Highway-legal vehicles are allowed to travel on existing unpaved roads, but services are non-existent and self-reliance is essential. UTVs, ATVs are prohibited on all roads.
NPS/K. Lewandowski
All Backcountry Roads May Have Unknown Damage - Travel at Your Own Risk
Many unimproved and backcountry roads in the preserve require high clearance of 8" or more and 4-wheel drive with a low range transfercase and heavy duty tires. All-wheel-drive SUVs and other similar vehicles may not be appropriate for many preserve backcountry routes.
Road conditions can change quickly. Check back for latest conditions on the specific roads you plan to travel before you leave the pavement.
Cell phone service is unreliable or nonexistent in most of Mojave National Preserve. Plan on being self-reliant for emergencies.
Do not make drive off established roads or make new roads by driving around washed out or damaged areas. You could be held financially liable for repairing resource damages and/or citation for breaking federal regulations.
Report any adverse conditions you notice to a ranger with images and GPS coordinates and description at e-mail us
Road
Status
Description
Aiken Mine (Lava Tube Access)
4WD ONLY
4WD high clearance route from Kelbaker Road and Aiken Mine Road is OPEN. Soft sand, mudholes and rocks are in the roadway due to a recent storm.
Brannigan Mine
4WD ONLY
Deep washouts, may be impassible to even experienced 4WD vehicle operators.
Castle Mountains
4WD ONLY
Very rough roads.
Clark Mountains
4WD ONLY
All roads need 4WD and high clearance.
Colosseum Mine
4WD ONLY
Beyond BLM boundary. Steep grades, impassable in sections.
Carruthers Canyon
OPEN
Please stay on established roads vs illegal vehicle tracks in the area.
Deer Springs
4WD ONLY
Sandy with deep washouts.
Fort Piute
4WD ONLY
Very rocky; no street tires. The rocks are sharp and pointy, likely to puncture a tire.
Globe Mine
4WD ONLY
Sandy in spots.
Green Wells Cutoff
4WD ONLY
Rocky with washouts.
Hart Mine Road
CLOSED
Heavy road damage and missing wooden culverts have created hazardous conditions. Travel with extreme caution.
Hidden Hills
4WD ONLY
Sandy with washouts.
Kelso Dunes
OPEN, Rough Washboard and potholes
Currently overwashed with sand and rocks. Many deep potholes. Steep dropoffs on shoulders. Could cause vehicle damage. Drive slow and watch for tortoise! Some washboard. 2WD accessible to the main trailhead and undeveloped camping area. 4WD, high clearance required west of camping area and along powerline road.
Macedonia Canyon
4WD ONLY; LIMITED OVERHEAD CLEARANCE
Sandy and rocky. Many vehicles will not be able to fit under train tressle towards Kelso-Cima Road to access this drive.
Mojave Road
4WD ONLY
4WD with heavy duty tires, 4L low range transfer case, and high clearance required for safe travel.
New York Mountains
4WD ONLY
Valley View
4WD ONLY
2WD from Cima Road until the ranch. Afterwards it is 4WD and high clearance.
Vulcan Mine
4WD ONLY
Very rough on east side.
Walking Box Ranch (Castle Mountains NM)
OPEN
Well graded gravel road suitable for most vehicles
Wildhorse Canyon
4WD ONLY
Sandy, rocky, and uneven breaks in some sections.
Wood Wash
4WD ONLY
Sandy with washouts.
Desert Driving Pro Tips
Required knowledge for a successful desert adventure.
Do not rely solely on automated mapping and driver assisted applications, they often lead you astray in and around the preserve. Bring an old-timey paper map or atlas for backup and to teach the crew the ways of the ranger. Check here for updated road conditions from the National Park Service. 🗺️ Don't rely on your phone for in the preserve for navigation where coverage is spotty at best, except for pictures at scenic locales!
Cities for GPS
Kelso, California
Hole-in-the-Wall, California
Avoid using Mojave, California. This will take you 168 miles away from the park!
Directions to Kelso Depot From I-15: Exit Kelbaker Road at Baker, California, and drive south 34 miles to Kelso Depot. From I-40: Exit Kelbaker Road (28 miles east of Ludlow, California) and drive north 22 miles to Kelso Depot.
Directions to Hole-in-the-Wall
From I-40: Exit Essex Road and drive north 10 miles to the junction with Black Canyon Road. Hole-in-the-Wall is 10 miles north on Black Canyon Road.
Mojave's rugged nature, large size, and remote locations make assessing, designing, and repairing roads a constant challenge for park maintenance crews. Roads are closed by the superintendent for public safety or to preserve the character of the road bed.
Please do not move barricades or bypass signed or coned-off closures. Park rangers are patrolling closed roads, turning back travelers, and issuing citations.
Speed Limits on the paved roads are 55 mph or less. Please obey posted speed limits for your safety and help keep wildlife alive.
Tortoises and Traffic
Tortoises travel long distances in search of food and water and will cross highways through their territory.
Slow your roll. Motorists must observe posted speed limits.
Keep an eye out. Watch for tortoises crossing the road, especially during rainy weather. Tortoises are attracted to puddles that form on roadways during rainstorms.
Always look under your car before driving away. Tortoises enjoy resting in the shade of parked cars.
Keep vehicles on established roads only. Vehicles will crush tortoise burrows, killing the tortoises and eggs within.
Be a tortoise crossing guard! Never pick up a tortoise unless it is immediate danger. From a distance where the animal's behavior remains unchanged, watch to ensure the tortoise makes it across the road safely. Take a GPS from your phone and email your sighting to moja_info@nps.gov. Every tortoise is important as they are threatened. The NPS is currently monitoring desert tortoises and relies on sightings from the field to help protect this cool animal.
Enjoy a stress free vacation by not worrying about running out of gasoline. Gas is not sold in Mojave National Preserve. In addition, there are no gas stations where Kelbaker Road meets Interstate 40.
Visitors to the north side of the preserve can fill up in Barstow, Baker, Cima, Primm, Jean, Henderson, or Las Vegas.
Visitors coming from the south should fill up near 29 Palms, Amboy, or take a detour on Interstate 40 to the nearest gas stations in Fenner or Ludlow. Needles (east) or Barstow (west) are farther but also have gasoline. The preserve is filled with long inclines and mountains that will drain your tank, so it's best to come with a full tank if you want to explore without running on E.
There are no food or beverages sold in the preserve. The nearest restaurants and grocery stores are often a half day's drive away. Come prepared with all of your necessary snacks and meals!
The long and winding road takes constant maintenance.
Left image
A road near Hole In the Wall Visitor Center
Credit: NPS/J. Petruncio
Right image
The same road after maintenance
Credit: NPS/J. Petruncio
The preserve encompasses 1.6 million rugged acres intersected by long, bumpy, old-timey historic and lonesome roads. NPS maintenance crews are working on maintaining these roads so visitors here may recreate and explore safely. Please help the NPS by slowing down, obeying speed limits, and watching out for wildlife.
All passport stamps for Mojave National Preserve and Castle Mountains National Monument are available at the Hole-In-The-Wall Visitor Center. After hours, you can use the self service passport stamp station located on the front porch of the Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center.
Junior Ranger badges and books can also be obtained in person at Hole-In-The-Wall Visitor Center.
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.
Mojave National Preserve cooperates with internal and external emergency services, which can be contacted dialing 911.
The lava tube can be accessed from North Kelbaker Road via Aiken Mine Road. Aiken Mine Road is a washboarded dirt road with sections of soft sand that is five miles to the lava tube, four-wheel drive is advisable.
The Mojave National Preserve bookstore is run by our nonprofit partner, Western National Parks. A bookstore is located at Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center. An online store is also available for virtual visitors to the preserve. Search for "Mojave National Preserve" in the online bookstore.
