Mojave National Preserve
USA Holiday Destinations

The Mojave Desert is a 1.6 million acre park that is recognized as being a valuable natural asset. The vast open spaces have an inherent beauty that must be experienced to be appreciated. The landscape is filled with sand dunes, mountain peaks, ghost towns, volcanic craters and lava beds, historic sites and buildings as well as a wide range of visually striking geological features and diverse and interesting wild life.

Even though the word desert implies an empty landscape, much of the land is actually put to good use. There are four large military bases, and inhabited areas are found west of Barstow. The rest of the area is available for enjoyment of the general public. It is a fascinating landscape and makes an ideal location for an motorhome hire driving holiday.

The elevation of the Mojave National Preserve ranges from under 1000 feet to nearly 8000 feet. As the desert climate can be punishingly hot during the height of summer, visitors are urged to plan their visit during the coolers months of October through to May (Fall through spring). This will ensure the best possible experience no matter what activities are planned. This harsh environment is another reason why RV rentals are ideally suited to this area. No matter what the conditions are the air conditioned comfort of the RV rental cabin can be regulated for your comfort.

The desert wildlife flourishes here with over 300 different species of animals including desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes and desert tortoises. A large variety of birds also call the desert home. Golden eagles and various types of hawk can be found soaring high in the sky in search of their next prey. Quail, chukar and mourning doves and a vast array of smaller birds make their home in the canyons and washes where they have access to water, food and vegetation for cover.

Campgrounds

The two developed campgrounds, at Hole-in-the-Wall and Mid Hills, do not require reservations in advance. These campgrounds provide facilities that visitors have come to expect from a developed campground. Each site has its own picnic table and fire ring. As the road leading to Mid Hills is unpaved it is not recommended for campervan rental vehicles.

Visitors should be aware of the strict rules about campfires. As desert vegetation is sparse, it is forbidden to collect firewood. Open fires are only permitted in the campgrounds if you bring your own firewood.

Visitors should also be aware that the water supply in the area is dependent on the seasonal rainfall, and visitors are asked to use only what they need. RV rental travelers are advised to bring their own water supply where possible and if possible bring their own containers for carrying water when hiking. When leaving the relative safety of the campground it is important to carry at least a gallon of water per person per day.

Hole-in-the-Wall

Located at an elevation of 4,400 feet this campground is surrounded by ancient volcanic rock walls, this gives the campsite a feeling of seclusion and intimacy. It has 35 campsites large enough to accomodate any our RV rentals and motorhomes hire vehicles and each site has its own picnic table and fire ring. The facilities everyone has come to expect from a developed campground can be found here including vault toilets, trash bins, and potable water. There are no RV hookups however a dump station is available at this campground.

Mid-Hills

Located at a slightly higher elevation of 5,600 feet this campground is much cooler than the low lying desert plains below. In fact temperatures at Mid Hills are on average 10 to 15 degrees lower than Hole-in-the-Wall. There are 26 campsites each with its own picnic table and fire ring, and of course this developed campground provides facilities such as vault toilets, trash bins and potable water. However, the road to these campgrounds is not paved and is not suggested for visitors in our RV rental or motorhome hire vehicles.

Black Canyon Group

The group campground at Black Canyon requires reservations be made in advance but the camp sites can accommodate larger groups of visitors and even welcomes horses and their riders.

Roadside Camping

Visitors are permitted to camp along the roadside but only in areas that have previously been used for this purpose. As camping impacts on the desert vegetation the eco-system will be preserved if roadside camping is managed in this way. It is important that visitors do not camp along paved roads or day use areas and remain at least a quarter mile away from all water sources.

This list covers some of the RV rental friendly roadside camping sites

• Black Canyon Road
  5.2 miles south of Hole-in-the-Wall Ranger Station on the eastern side of Black Canyon Road.
  
  
• Granite Pass
  Located approximately 6 miles to the north of Interstate 40 this campsite can be found on Kelbaker Road. Keep an eye out for Granite Pass and just to the north you will find the acess roads on the western side of the road. The granite spires sit a little to the south of the campsite.
  
  
• Sunrise Rock
  Heading along Interstate 15 keep an eye out for Cima Road. This campsite is located approximately 10 miles south of I-15 and can be found on the east side of Cima Road. This campsite is conveniently located near the beginning of the Teutonia Peak trail which is on the opposite side of Cima Road.
  

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