Alerts & Conditions

Alerts   Mojave National Preserve Now Open Clean up from Hurricane Hilary is progressing. As of September 19, 2023, all paved roads in the Preserve are open with the exception of Cima Road. All campgrounds are open. The York Fire burn area restrictions have been lifted as well as fire restrictions in the Preserve. Standard Preserve regulations apply. 4WD high clearance vehicles, without trailers are recommended for all non-paved roads in Mojave National Preserve. All back country roads may have unknown damage due to Hurricane Hilary. Travel at your own risk. See the road conditions section below for closures and closure map. Kelso Depot remains closed. Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center is now open.   Road Impacts from Flooding Road Conditions Check Here for Road Conditions Map   The historic Kelso Depot offers a shaded oasis at the junction of two roads within the preserve. NPS/K. Lewandowski Facility Status Effective September 22, 2023 7:00 am CLOSED: Kelso Depot Visitor Center (Indoor areas due to HVAC system failure) Soda Lake Crossing of the Mojave Rd. and Cima Rd. (See Road Conditions for details) No access to Teutonia Peak Trailhead or White Cross World War I Memorial (March 20, 2023 to March 31, 2024 due to construction closure on Cima Road. Teutonia Peak Trail OPEN: Kelso Depot parking lot, picnic tables, and restrooms Kelso Dunes Road and Trails (beware of heat illness in this area) Hole-in-the-Wall information Center is open Friday to Monday 10AM to 4PM Rings Loop and Barber Peak Trails Most 4WD roads     Some Questions You Might Have Can I still get a National Park cancelation stamp, park brochure map, or Junior Ranger booklet? All passport stamps for Mojave National Preserve and Castle Mountains National Monument are available at the Hole-In-The-Wall Information Center. You can even download a PDF form and put in your desired date for the stamp remotely. Even after hours, you can use the self service passport stamp station located on the front porch of the Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center. Junior Ranger Programs can be downloaded and printed at home. Junior Ranger badges and books can also be obtained in person at Hole-In-The-Wall Information Center. This is subject to ranger staffing. In person materials are subject to change without notice. You can write Mojave National Preserve e-mail us or call us at [phone] to obtain cancelation stamps, junior ranger books, and Junior Ranger Badges. Please leave us a postal mail address in your email or voicemail message to send the requested materials. Are emergency services available? Mojave National Preserve cooperates with internal and external emergency services, which can be contacted dialing 911. How do I get to the Lava Tube? As of February 2023, the Lava Tube requires a heavy duty four-wheel-drive vehicle to enter the lava tube area from Valley View Ranch Road or the Mojave Road. Motorists are not allowed to drive on the Kelbaker Road. Be prepared to enter and exit the area on a long rough dirt road. Use of Kelbaker Road between Kelso and Baker is subject to safety hazards related to an active construction zone, and could result in a traffic citation.  What do we mean by heavy duty four-wheel drive?  For the trip on the mojave Road and Valley View Ranch Road, you will need off road rated tires that have heavy duty sidewalls. Most all wheel drive SUV vehicles come with highway rated tires with thin sidewalls. You will need a vehcile equiped with skid plates and other drive train protection. you will also need a vehicle that has a low range transfer case. Most SUVs and All Wheel Drive Vehicles are not properly equiped to visit the Lava Tube at this time.  Is the bookstore open? The Mojave National Preserve bookstore is run by our nonprofit partner, the Western National Parks Association. The bookstore is currently located at Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center. An online store is also available for virtual visitors to the preserve. Search for "Mojave National Preserve" in the online bookstore. Can I have a campfire during my visit? Check here for current fire restrictions and regulations   Loading weather forecast... Kelso Depot Area Weather Forecast Elev 2130 Ft. Hazardous Weather Conditions Lat: 35.01270502083794 Long: -115.65110206604004 Last updated: Current Conditions Humidity Wind Speed Barometer Dewpoint Visibility Wind Chill More Weather Information on Weather.gov Extended Graphical Forecast for This Location Extended Text Forecast for This Location