National preserve

Mojave National Preserve

Mojave National Preserve is a national preserve run by the National Park Service in San Bernardino County, California. There is no entrance fee. It is open 24 hours a day.

Current notices posted by the managing agency. Checked Sept. 30, 2026.

  • Closure: Hart Mine Road Closed Hart Mine Road Closed. Since Nov. 28, 2025. Until Dec. 31, 2027.
  • 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.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Mojave National Preserve on the managing agency's own page.

Mojave National Preserve
Photo: InyoCima, CC BY-SA 3.0

Mojave National Preserve map

Mojave National Preserve boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

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Fire restrictions

One fire restriction order is recorded for this unit as of Sept. 30, 2026. Each links the signed order.

  • 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.

Common questions

Yes. Mojave National Preserve has no entrance fee.
Mojave National Preserve is open 24 hours a day.

Fees, passes, and hours

Mojave National Preserve has no entrance fee.

Mojave National Preserve is open 24 hours a day.

Sources: nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/fees, checked 2026-09-28; nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/basicinfo, checked 2026-09-28.

Entrances and visitor centers

  • Kelso Depot Visitor CenterVisitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.(760) 252-6100
  • Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor CenterVisitor center, year-round: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.(760) 252-6100
  • Barstow Headquarters Information DeskVisitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Visitor center, year-round: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Source: nps.gov/moja/moja_linked_data.json, checked 2026-09-28.

Pets

They are allowed on trails.

Source: nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/pets, checked 2026-09-28.

Trails

  • Hole-in-the-Wall Nature Trail(0.5 mi round trip, easy)Desert plant ID walk between campground and visitor center.
  • Lava Tube(1 mi round trip, easy)Short hike to an underground lava tube.
  • Rock Springs Trail(1 mi round trip, easy)Interpretive trail covering Rock Springs history.
  • Rings Loop(1.5 mi loop, moderate)Ascends Banshee Canyon using metal rings at Hole-in-the-Wall.
  • Kelso Dunes(3 mi round trip, moderate)Climb the preserve's most popular sand dune.
  • Teutonia Peak(3 mi round trip, moderate)Joshua tree forest to rocky peak overlooking Cima Dome.
  • Barber Peak(6 mi loop, moderate)Loop encircling Barber Peak west of Hole-in-the-Wall Campground.
  • Mid Hills to Hole-in-the-Wall(8 mi one way, moderate)Wash hike through cactus and the Hackberry Fire burn area.

Source: nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/established-trails, checked 2026-09-29.

What to see

  • HighlightKelso DunesLarge sand dune field; popular moderate climb.
  • CanyonHole-in-the-Wall / Rings LoopNarrow Banshee Canyon climbed with metal rings set in rock.
  • CaveLava TubeShort established trail to a volcanic lava tube.
  • PeakTeutonia Peak / Cima Dome viewsRocky summit with expansive views of Cima Dome Joshua tree country.
  • Historic siteKelso DepotHistoric railroad depot serving as the main visitor center.

Source: nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/established-trails, checked 2026-09-29.

Public lands next to Mojave National Preserve

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.