Mojave National Preserve

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-20 to 2026-12-14; community-mapped.

About

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed).

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

At the park

• Camping activity
• Hunting activity
• Wildflowers scenic feature
• Wildlife & bird watching scenic feature
• Hiking trails trail

Before you go

Limits

Find out what activities are permitted, need a permit, or are prohibited at Mojave

Limits

Pets are permitted in most areas of the Preserve as long as they are on a six-foot leash

Limits

Drones and unmanned aircraft are not permitted to operate in any land or airspace managed by the National Park Service, including Mojave National Preserve

Park alert: NPS Visitor Wi-Fi

Visitor Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi calling is now available in the Kelso Depot parking lot for calls including emergencies. Go to the bulletin board at the Kelso Depot restrooms for instructions.

⚠ Park closure: Hart Mine Road Closed

Hart Mine Road Closed.

⚠ Caution: Do not pick up hitchhikers

Do not pick up hitchhikers. Please report their locations to law enforcement by calling 911.

⚠ Park closure: Kelso Depot Visitor Center closed

Kelso Depot Visitor Center is closed for rehabilitation of the heating and cooling system. We expect to reopen the depot in 2026. The restrooms beside the depot are open.

⚠ Caution: Fire restrictions in place

Fire restrictions are in place at Mojave National Preserve and Castle Mountains National Monument. Wood and charcoal fires are not permitted. Most camp stoves are. See fire restriction order for additional details.

Park alert: Delays up to 1 hour are possible at Kelbaker Road Railroad Crossing near Kelso Depot

In the event there are train siding operations at the crossing near Kelso Depot, delays may be up to one hour. Please plan accordingly for this possibility with extra fuel and drinking water. Union Pacific Contact: 1 800 848-8715

⚠ Caution: Road Damage/Debris on Road

Use caution when driving through Mojave National Preserve. Widespread storms have flooded, damaged and deposited debris on roads throughout the preserve.

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 & when to go

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.

Visitor center

Ft. Piute

Visitor center

Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center — Hole in the Wall Visitor Center is Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10 am to 4 pm. Please verify that the access roads and/or visitor center are open at our conditions page at go.nps.gov/MojaveConditions — 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.

Visitor center

Kelso Depot Visitor Center — Kelso Depot is temporarily closed for rehabilitation. The contract is underway, and work is being performed according to schedule. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and visit us at the Hole-In-The-Wall Information Center. — From I-15: Exit Kelbaker Road at Baker, Calif., and drive south 34 miles to Kelso Depot. From I-40: Exit Kelbaker Road (28 miles east of Ludlow, Calif.) and drive north 22 miles to Kelso Depot.

Visitor center

Kelso Dunes

Visitor center

Rock Spring

Facilities on the park map

5 visitor information.

History

Opened

1994

• Park opened