National Preserve

Mojave National Preserve

Mojave National Preserve is a National Preserve in California. The NPS currently lists 6 active alerts (2 closures), 3 campgrounds and 3 visitor centers, and no entrance fee.

California National Preserve No entrance fee America the Beautiful pass accepted

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

Kelso Dunes with rays of light coming through the clouds. Mountains in the background.. — Kelso Dunes · Photo: NPS (via nps.gov)

About the park

“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.”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/moja

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

6 active NPS alerts as of Oct 28, 2026: 2 closures, 0 danger, 2 caution and 2 information.

Closure

Hart Mine Road Closed

Hart Mine Road Closed.

Posted or updated Aug 12, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

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.

Posted or updated Sep 18, 2025 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

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.

Posted or updated Oct 14, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Caution

Do not pick up hitchhikers

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

Posted or updated Jul 12, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Information

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.

Posted or updated Sep 23, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Information

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

Posted or updated Sep 18, 2025 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.

The interagency America the Beautiful pass is accepted here. This park is cashless — bring a card or buy your pass online. Fee details on nps.gov

Things to do

The granite mountains look like tan boulders piled on top of each other. Green bushes in foreground. — Photo: NPS Photo

Behold the Granite Mountains

A paved pullout about seven miles north of Highway 40 on Kelbaker Road allows visitors to park their cars and enjoy the view of the Granite Mountains. There is parking for five vehicles at a time.

0-1 Hours Pets allowed

Scenic Driving

Ripples and vegetation in the sand during evening light — Photo: NPS Photo / Sierra Willoughby

Hike the Kelso Dunes

30-180 Minutes Winter, Spring, Fall Pets allowed

Hiking

Hike Desert Sand Dunes

Take a day hike on the Kelso Dunes! Enjoy an approximately three mile round-trip trail to the top of cream-colored dunes, formed over millennia by wind and sand. If you're lucky, you might even hear the dunes sing. This hike can be strenuous and hot.

1-4 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Pets allowed

Hiking

See all 8 things to do in Mojave →

Activities the NPS lists for Mojave.

Auto and ATVAuto Off-RoadingScenic DrivingAstronomyStargazingBikingMountain BikingRoad BikingCampingBackcountry CampingCar or Front Country CampingHorse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)Group CampingRV CampingFoodPicnickingHikingBackcountry HikingFront-Country HikingOff-Trail Permitted HikingHorse TrekkingHorse Camping (see also camping)Horseback RidingHunting and GatheringHuntingJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park Store

Operating hours

Outdoor areas of the Mojave National Preserve including trails, roads, campgrounds are OPEN 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Be sure to check Alerts and Conditions for any temporary closures.

Park Operating Hours
Day	Hours
Monday	All Day
Tuesday	All Day
Wednesday	All Day
Thursday	All Day
Friday	All Day
Saturday	All Day
Sunday	All Day

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.

Contact and directions

Phone: (760) 252-6100
Email: [email protected]
Address: 90942 Kelso Cima Road, Kelso, CA 92309
Coordinates: 35.1249, -115.5168· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor center	Standard hours	Phone	Passport stamp
Barstow Headquarters Information Desk	Mon 9:00AM - 3:00PM · Tue 9:00AM - 3:00PM · Wed 9:00AM - 3:00PM · Thu 9:00AM - 3:00PM · Fri 9:00AM - 3:00PM · Sat Closed · Sun Closed	—	Yes
Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center	Mon 10:00AM - 4:00PM · Tue Closed · Wed Closed · Thu Closed · Fri 10:00AM - 4:00PM · Sat 10:00AM - 4:00PM · Sun 10:00AM - 4:00PM	(760) 252-6100	Yes
Kelso Depot Visitor Center	Daily: Closed	(760) 252-6100	Yes

Campgrounds

Campground	Total sites	Reservable	RVs	Fee	Reserve
Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground	2	2	Yes, up to 40 ft	$50	Recreation.gov
Hole-in-the-Wall Campground	38	38	Yes, up to 30 ft	$25	Recreation.gov
Mid Hills Campground	26	26	Yes, up to 20 ft	$20	Recreation.gov

Site counts and fees are from the NPS campground data. Fees show the first listed rate; availability is not shown here — check the reservation site.

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More parks in California

Alcatraz Island Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail Cabrillo National Monument California National Historic Trail Castle Mountains National Monument César E. Chávez National Monument Channel Islands National Park Death Valley National Park Devils Postpile National Monument Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site Fort Point National Historic Site Golden Gate National Recreation Area All in California

Nearest other NPS sites

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.