NPS/Matt Clausen Camping in Mojave National Preserve is an enjoyable and rewarding experience for visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. Developed campgrounds are ideal for less experienced campers or visitors with passenger vehicles and RVs, while previously used undeveloped roadside camping sites offer a more wild experience for well-prepared four-wheel-drive vehicle based campers. For the adventurous and dedicated expert desert backpacker, there are more that 700,000 acres of wilderness to explore on foot. Developed CampgroundsIf you're looking for a designated camping spot with two-wheel drive passenger vehicle access that can accommodate most RVs and trailers, one of the three developed campgrounds: Mid Hills, Hole-in-the-Wall, and Black Canyon is your best choice. These three campgrounds are open year-round. These sites are equipped with vault toilets, trash receptacles, fire rings and picnic tables. Mid Hills and Hole-in-the-Wall can accommodate up to 8 people per site and are reservation only. Water is available at Hole-in-the-Wall and Black Canyon Group Campgrounds, while water needs to be hauled in at Mid Hills. Potable water for filling bottles and camping jugs is available for all overnight and day use visitors at the Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center and Kelso Depot. Spigots in the preserve are not set up for filling RV water tanks. A dump station for RV tanks and portable toilets is available at Hole-in-the-Wall Campground. Open
 At 4,400 feet in elevation, Hole-in-the-Wall Campground is surrounded by sculptured volcanic rock walls and makes a great basecamp for hikers. Thirty-five campsites accommodate RVs and tents; two walk-in sites are also available. Maximum RV or trailer length is 30 Feet.
TOTAL SITES: 38 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 0 Walk to/Boat to: 2 Group: 0 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Open
 The Hackberry Fire swept through the Mid Hills area in June 2005, burning much of the vegetation. About half of the 26 campsites were left unburned and remain surrounded by pinyon pine and juniper trees. At 5,600 feet in elevation, Mid Hills is much cooler than the desert floor below. The access road is unpaved and not recommended for large motorhomes or trailers. Water is not available at this campground.
TOTAL SITES: 26 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 0 Walk to/Boat to: 0 Group: 0 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Open
 The Black Canyon Equestrian and Group Campground is ideal for larger groups. The group site is available to groups of up to 50 people and up to 30 campers at the equestrian site. Reservations are required.
TOTAL SITES: 2 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 0 Walk to/Boat to: 0 Group: 1 Horse: 1 Other: 0 Average Weather at the Developed Campgrounds
Horses and riders are welcome in Mojave National Preserve! Horses and/or other pack animals (llamas and mules) are permitted on all trails, backcountry roads, and open country (including wilderness areas) within the preserve. Developed camping facilities are available at the Black Canyon Equestrian & Group Campground. Backcountry users should familiarize themselves with guidelines and regulations for backcountry travel and camping, as well as the following:
Horse rentals are unavailable in the preserve. So, bring your own horse (B.Y.O.H.). Backpackers will enjoy sweeping views, solitude, nearly 700,000 acres of designated wilderness, and a truly dark nighttime canopy of countless stars. There is rarely naturally occuring water in the preserve, so prepare to carry all your own water or create an itinerary that stops by either park sources at Hole-in-the-Wall or Kelso Depot. Make sure you contact us prior to your trip about your plans for parking your vehicle overnight. This helps us monitor the preserve for abandoned vehicles. Camping outside of developed campgrounds takes extra skill in route-finding, handling unimproved roads, planning ahead, and attention to the Leave No Trace principles to protect the wildness of Mojave National Preserve backcountry. The follwing rules and guidelines apply:
NPS Photo / Sierra Willoughby Roadside or Undeveloped CampsitesUndeveloped roadside campsites are an option for well-prepared campers who are self-sufficient and have a vehicle that can handle rougher road conditions. Most sites require a high clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle to access, while a select few can be found where two-wheel drive high clearance would be adequate. (Note that backcountry road conditions can change at anytime) There is a 14-day camping limit. There is no fee to camp at an undeveloped campground. Roadside and Undeveloped Camping Regulations
Areas Where Camping is prohibited
Additional undeveloped campsites can be found here Black Canyon Road
Cima Road
Kelbaker Road
Undeveloped CampsitesInformation about camping in undeveloped campsites can be found here. |
Last updated: January 13, 2025