The Mojave National Preserve is located in the Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County in California. It is full of things to see and do from multiday off-roading to ghost towns to wildflowers to Joshua Tree forests (some of which were destroyed in recent wildfires). Off-roading in the greater Mojave Desert is also one of the fun day excursions that one can enjoy while living it up in Las Vegas.

The Mojave Desert in this region is considered high desert and it is a stunning place to come and relax. Enjoy the sparseness and ruggedness of this picturesque unspoiled environment.

About The Mojave National Preserve

The Mojave National Preserve is large - at 1.5 million acres it is the third-largest unit of the National Park System in the Lower 48. Some of the notable features in the preserve include the Kelso Dunes, the Marl Mountains, the Cima Dome, and volcanic formations.

  • Established: In 1994

If one is cruising along on Interstate 15 or 40, then the Mojave National Preserve may appear as little more than a featureless and inhospitable wilderness. But if one takes a closer look, one will see a land of water-sculpted canyons, ancient lava flows, massive sand dunes, limestone caverns, and of course the Joshua tree forests stretching to the horizon.

Tip: Nearby Kelso Dunes Is The Most Popular Sunset and Sunrise Spot

  • Kelso Dunes: The Second Largest Dune System In California (Cover 45 Sq Miles And Rise over 600 Feet)

Joshua Trees In The Mojave National Preserve

Joshua Trees are stunning and unique trees with a whole national park named after them - and everyone should visit and hike through the Joshua Tree National Park. But Joshua trees are to be found elsewhere in the Mojave desert.

In the preserve are the impressive Joshua tree forests - they are found in different parts of the preserve. Wildfires are one of the greatest threats to the Joshua trees, a wildfire in 2020 destroyed some 1.3 million Joshua Trees around Cima Dome. There was previously a dense Joshua Tree forest here.

  • Scientific Name: Yucca brevifolia

The Joshua tree is a monocotyledonous tree native to the arid Southwestern United States in California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and parts of northwestern Mexico. It is mostly found in the Mojave Desert between elevations of 1,300 and 5,900 feet.

  • Age: Joshua Trees Often Live for 150 Years

Related: Badwater Basin: A Guide to Visiting The Lowest Point In North America

Mitchell Caverns

There are attractions above and below the surface here. Visit the Mitchell Caverns on a guided tour and see the remarkable dagger-like formations within. It is a 1.5-mile round trip just to hike to the entrance.

  • Duration: One Hour
  • When: Fridays To Sundays
  • Reservation: Tours Are By Reservation Only

Kelso Ghost Town

Kelso is a ghost town in the Mojave National Preserve. It was first built in 1905 specifically as a railroad station on the route from Utah to Los Angeles. While it started out as a simple train depot in the 1920s, the town briefly boomed to as many as 2000 residents by the 1940s. It was driven by borax and iron mines nearby as well as gold and silver nearby. But when the mines closed the town was soon left abandoned.

In the 1970s the population of Kelso had fallen to around 75 residents, but it was known as a town without television as TV signals couldn't reach Kelso.

  • Ghost Town: There Is The Ghost Town of Kelso In The Preserve
  • Visitor Center: The Visitor Center Is In the Defunct Renovated Railroad Depot

The iconic depot here was used up until 1986. After that, it was abandoned and the hard conditions of the desert took their toll on the building. The railroad was going to demolish it, but it was saved and then converted into the Mojave National Preserve's visitor center.

Related: These National Parks Are Actually Better When Visited During The Winter Months

4 Wheel Driving In The Preserve

4 Wheel driving is one of the favorite activities in the preserve. It is a great way to immerse oneself in the vivid sights and explore the hundreds of miles of unpaved roads. Transverse volcano fields, Joshua tree woodlands, gorgeous mountain vistas, and many other stunning locations.

The historical Mojave Road is a very popular route. Completing the entire road normally takes several days and some of the dirt roads in the preserve are very sandy. Over in the New York Mountains, one will find historical mines and dozens of primitive campsites.

  • Season: Spring and Fall Are Best

The most popular time to go 4WDing is in the spring and fall. This is when the temperatures are the most comfortable - but this is also when there are the largest crowds. The nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing during the winter while traveling in the heat of the summer is not recommended by the National Park Service.

Tip: Visit A Lava Tube During One's Trip

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