Last Updated on 2 March, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf

Mojave National Preserve is a vast landscape of varying terrain, from underground lava tubes to towering mountain peaks. If you want to explore the Preserve to its fullest, camping is a fantastic way to stay close to all the intriguing hikes and scenic landscapes in the area.

If you’re interested in camping in Mojave National Preserve, there are 13 places to stay, including established campgrounds and dispersed camping. There’s not much camping outside the preserve unless you want to drive 30 minutes or more.

Below, I’ll review all the best places for camping in Mojave National Preserve. Whether you’re traveling in a large motorhome and need an established campground, or have a campervan or truck camper and are willing to endure the bumpy roads to a dispersed campsite. Let’s go!

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1. Hole-In-The-Wall Campground

The Hole-In-The-Wall campground is located centrally within the Mojave National Preserve. It sits at around 4,400 feet in elevation and is surrounded by striking volcanic features and shrubby brush. Its central location makes it the perfect basecamp while you explore the Preserve.

One thing to note about established campgrounds within the Mojave National Preserve is that no campgrounds within the Preserve have electric hookups. If you require hookups for your camper setup, this isn’t the best place to stay.

A power bank can help charge your electronics when there are no electric hookups. The BioLite Charge 40PD Power Bank has an 18-watt Type-C port and two 3-amp USB ports and is compatible with solar panels up to 18 watts.

If you’re still interested in camping in Mojave National Preserve, Hole-In-The-Wall is one of the best locations!

Details About Hole-In-The-Wall Campground

This campground is located right near the visitor center, making it a convenient place to start your adventures. Below are helpful details about camping in Mojave National Preserve at the Hole-In-The-Wall campground.

Hole-In-The-Wall at a glance:

• Number of Sites: 38
• Price: $25/night
• Maximum Vehicle Length: 30 feet
• Location: N35.0454, W115.3935
• Amenities: Trash/recycling, dump station, potable water, pit toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, pet-friendly.

The nearby Hole-In-The-Wall visitor center has information about the Preserve, souvenirs, and restrooms. It’s a great place to stop before exploring the area.

If camping in Mojave National Preserve at the Hole-In-The-Wall campground sounds like a winner, you can reserve your spot through recreation.gov! Reservations are not required but highly recommended.

Bringing your furbag with you? Mojave National Preserve requires all dogs to always be on a leash. This is to protect wildlife, your pet, and the pets of others who may not be friendly with other dogs. Check out our guide on the 10 best dog leashes for hiking for inspiration!

Nearby Attractions

While camping in Mojave National Preserve, you’ll undoubtedly want to explore more than just the small loops surrounding your campground. Luckily, Hole-In-The-Wall is located near two outstanding hikes that are worth checking out:

• Barber Peak Loop: A stunning 5.7-mile loop that traverses around Barber Peak, a unique rock formation. Waltz through a cactus garden and enjoy scrambling through part of the Rings Loop Trail.
• Hole-In-The-Wall Rings Trail: A fun and moderately challenging 1.5-mile loop trail that involves using rings bolted into the walls to help you up the trail.

The Mojave National Preserve is huge, encompassing 1.6 million acres according to the National Park Service. There’s plenty to do near the campground, but if you’re willing to hop in the car, there’s even more to explore! 

Check out our guide on the 7 thrilling things to do in Mojave National Preserve for more ideas!

2. Mid Hills Campground

About 9 miles north of the Hole-In-The-Wall campground is the Mid Hills Campground. Camping in Mojave National Preserve in the summer can be swelteringly hot. At an elevation of 5,600 feet, Mid Hills is a cooler oasis, offering lower temperatures and shade.

Despite the Hackberry Fire raging through the area back in 2005, there are still many campsites with Pinyon Pine and Juniper Trees to offer shade. At higher elevations, the views of the surrounding mountains and desert landscape are simply breathtaking.

It’s important to note that the road to Mid Hills Campground is unpaved and not recommended for large campers.

The Mid Hills Campground is best for those who prefer to avoid the sounds of generators or the presence of huge campers. This campground is best for small RVs, campervans, and other small camping units.

Visiting with your pet in winter? Head over to our guide on 4 tips for hiking with dogs in winter for information on how to keep your furbag safe on those cold desert nights!

Details About Mid Hills Campground

Like Hole-In-The-Wall, Mid Hills Campground is centrally located within the Mojave National Preserve. This makes it an ideal destination as a basecamp while you explore all the Preserve has to offer.

Mid Hills at a glance:

• Number of Sites: 26
• Price: $20/night
• Maximum Vehicle Length: 20 feet (RV), 15 feet (Trailer)
• Location: N35.1299, W115.4353
• Amenities: Trash/recycling, vault toilet, picnic table, fire ring, pet-friendly.

Water and dump stations are not available at this campsite. It’s B.Y.O.W. (bring your own wood), as collecting wood within the Preserve is illegal.

If this sounds like the right place, you can reserve your spot here! Reservations are not required, but highly recommended, as sites fill up fast in peak season!

Nearby Attractions

Many of the same attractions that you can find at Hole-In-The-Wall can be found near Mid Hills as well, such as the Barber Peak and Rings Loop Trails. There are a few additional attractions nearby:

• Mojave Road: Mid Hills is close to the historic Mojave Road, which is a fantastic destination if you plan to do any 4×4 driving while exploring the park.
• Rock Springs Trail: A well-maintained 1.5-mile trail takes you to a spring, an old stone building, a copper mine site, and even the site of an old army base! Before you head out on your hike, check out our day hiking gear list to make sure you have everything you need!

As stated before, there are many more places to discover within the Preserve if you’re willing to make the trip! Just be aware that some roads within the Preserve are unpaved and can become impassable after heavy rain. Always check the road conditions before heading out on an adventure!

3. Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground

Camping in Mojave National Preserve with a group of friends? Or maybe you’re bringing your horse along to explore the Preserve. If so, the Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Site may be the best option for you.

This campground is situated across the road from Hole-In-The-Wall, making it another conveniently located campground to use as a base camp while exploring the Preserve. It’s meant to be used by larger groups or those traveling with horses, so if you don’t fit that criteria, this may not be the best campground for you.

Reservations are required to utilize the Black Canyon Campground.

Details About Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground

The group campsite can accommodate groups of up to 50 people. The equestrian site can lodge up to 30 campers.

Black Canyon at a glance:

• Number of Sites: 2 (group & equestrian)
• Price: $50/night
• Maximum Vehicle Length: 40 feet
• Location: N35.0486, W115.3829
• Amenities: Trash/recycling, potable water, vault toilet, picnic table, fire ring, pet-friendly.

If you’re planning on camping in Mojave National Preserve with your horse or pack animal, there are some rules and regulations to be aware of, such as no free-trailing or loose herding, no grazing, and only 7 animals are allowed per group. 

You can check out more information on bringing your horse or pack animal to Mojave here.

Nearby Attractions

The Barber Peak and Rings Loop Trails are just across the road near the Hole-In-The-Wall visitor center. In addition to these two hiking trails, other activities may be better suited for large groups or those traveling with horses.

• Horseback Riding: Horses are allowed on all trails within the Mojave National Preserve. They are also allowed anywhere in the 700,000-acre wilderness areas. You can also take your horse on any backcountry road.
• Hole-In-The-Wall Nature Trail: This easy 0.5-mile walk teaches how to identify desert plants. It’s a great activity for large groups like school field trips or even team-building exercises.

If you’re camping in Mojave National Preserve with a group, the visitor center is a wealth of information for ideas on where to go and what to do! To make reservations for the Black Canyon Group Site or Equestrian Site, visit recreation.gov.

4. Rainy Day Mine Dispersed Camping Area

The Rainy Day Mine Area is a dispersed camping area. Dispersed camping in Mojave National Preserve is allowed in previously disturbed areas. Most sites are marked with a stone fire ring or pit, but not all.

The Rainy Day Mine Area is along Indian Springs Trail and unnamed offshoots of this road. The road and its offshoots are narrow and sandy. Due to soft sand patches, 4WD is necessary to reach most spots in this area. RVs and large motorhomes will get stuck.

Lava beds and volcanic formations can be found around this camping area, as well as a vast stretch of the Mojave Wilderness to be explored on foot or by horseback. Don’t forget to pack some snacks! Check out our ultimate guide to hiking snacks for ideas on energy-packed, healthy snacks while exploring the preserve.

Several sites can be found in this area. Dispersed camping is free within the Preserve, but there are no amenities. Remember to pack out everything you pack in and follow the Leave No Trace principles.

• Start of Road: N35.1832, W115.8578

5. Aiken Mine Road Dispersed Camping

Aiken Mine Road is another dispersed camping area with multiple camping spots along the road. Like Rainy Day Mine, there are many volcanic formations and lava beds within the vicinity, as well as fields of Joshua Trees. Camping in Mojave National Preserve at Aiken Mine Road is best for rugged vehicles, but those with 2WD can make it (we did!).

The Lava Tubes Trail can be found down Aiken Mine Road and is worth a stop if you can put up with the extremely washboarded road. 4WD is not necessary for most of this road, but it is very bumpy. From Kelbacker Road, it is a grueling 5-mile drive to the Lava Tubes parking lot.

When we visited the Mojave National Preserve, we parked our 2WD Ram Promaster on Aiken Mile Road and hiked 3 miles to the Lava Tubes. The hike itself is only 0.5 miles and was totally worth the 7-mile round trip! You can read more details about how to hike the Lava Tubes trail here!

• Start of Road: N35.1553, W115.7904

6. Kelso Dunes Dispersed Camping

Kelso Dunes is one of the most popular hikes within the Mojave National Preserve. The dispersed camping areas around this trailhead can get busier than some of the other dispersed camping areas listed in this article, so plan a backup spot just in case!

That said, there are a lot of camping spots around this area. At the end of Kelso Dunes Road is a large camping area that can fit multiple vehicles, including larger rigs. The road is washboarded, but doable in 2WD. 

Dispersed camping at Kelso Dunes is an otherworldly experience. Sandy dunes tower high into the sky, competing with the surrounding mountains. You can hike to the very top of Kelso Sand Dunes, the highest dune in Mojave National Preserve! For more details on this hike, check out our guide on hiking the Kelso Dune!

Hiking and camping in Mojave National Preserve is a pet-friendly experience. If you decide to bring your furbag(s) along for any adventures, check out our article on dog hiking gear essentials to ensure your canine companion has all they need to explore the Preserve.

Camping at the trailhead or in areas not designated is prohibited on Kelso Dunes Road.

• Location: N34.8872, W115.7138

7. Granite Pass Dispersed Camping Area

Granite Pass is surrounded by rugged mountains and volcanic formations. Sparse desert scrub brush is interspersed with the occasional cholla and other cactus species. Camping at Granite Pass offers peace and tranquility in the desert.

Many camping opportunities exist near Granite Pass, some of which will have you right up against a boulder field, or as I like to call it, an adult jungle gym! 4WD and high clearance are recommended for spots further back along this road, but 2WD can make it to some of the beginning spots.

• Beginning of Road: N34.8127, W115.6103

8. Sunrise Rocks Dispersed Camping Area (Mojave Cross)

Rugged mountains, Joshua trees, and boulders surround the Sunrise Rocks dispersed camping area. This area is sometimes referred to as the Mojave Cross Dispersed area. The popular Teutonia Peak trail is located just across Cima Road and is well worth the trek!

The narrow section of road between Kessler Peak and Cima is a dirt track and recommended for 4WD and high clearance. However, spots at the beginning of the road are doable with 2WD and low clearance. There are a handful of spots along this road.

If you enjoy bouldering and scrambling, there are plenty of opportunities along this unnamed road, especially at the entrance near Teutonia Peak Trail. Camping in Mojave National Preserve at Sunrise Rocks is best suited for smaller or rugged vehicles.

• Beginning of Road (2WD accessible): N35.3167, W115.5446

9. Billy Boy Mine Area Dispersed Camping

This dispersed camping spot is located off Morning Star Mine Road, which is paved. This makes it an excellent dispersed camping spot for RVs or for vehicles that can’t make it down 4WD or high-clearance roads.

There is only one spot at the Billy Boy Mine Area, so be sure to have a backup plan in case someone has already taken this spot. This dispersed camping spot is rather open and located near a paved road, so don’t expect to have a ton of privacy, and be aware that you may hear road noise.

• Location: N35.2938, W115.4942

10. Black Canyon Dispersed Camping

Black Canyon is a paved road from the Hole-In-The-Wall Campground southward, but it is unpaved if you drive north of the campground. Dispersed camping spots are located south of the Hole-In-The-Wall Campground and information center, all along Black Canyon Road.

The dispersed camping areas are located on dirt two-track roads that offshoot from Black Canyon. Some of the spots are located right off the paved road, making them good options for RVs or low-clearance vehicles.

• First dispersed camping road past the information center: N35.0159, W115.3849
• Last dispersed camping road on Black Canyon Road: N34.9356, W115.4135

Many of the dirt track roads leading to dispersed campsites require 4WD and high clearance, but not all. Many spots at the beginning of dirt roads are doable in 2WD, while 4WD is required for spots further down the road.

11. New York Mountains

Many dispersed camping sites can be found along New York Mountains Road, which connects with Cedar Canyon on the southern end and Ivanpah Road on its eastern end. This dispersed area is in the northeast section of the Mojave National Preserve.

The landscape surrounding most campsites is rugged and desolate, surrounded by Yucca, prickly pear, cholla, and scrub brush. Boulder fields can be found throughout the area, and a few rugged peaks can be glimpsed from certain spots.

The Rock Spring Loop Trailhead is on Cedar Canyon Road, near the junction with New York Mountain Road, making it an accessible hike. 4WD and high clearance are recommended for this road, but as with other dispersed camping areas, many 2WD vehicles can make it down these roads to a certain point.

• Start of New York Mountain Road (southern side): N35.1571, W115.3324
• Start of New York Mountain Road (eastern side): N35.2029, W115.2026

12. Keystone Canyon Dispersed Camping

Northeast of the New York Mountains dispersed camping area is Keystone Canyon. There are plenty of sites around this area off dirt track roads. 4WD and high clearance are recommended, and sandy areas exist around this camping location.

Rugged peaks stretch for miles in this open scrub brush landscape. Some of the sites are packed closely together, making it ideal for those traveling in groups. Other spots are nice and secluded for those who prefer to experience nature in solitude (we get it!).

• Start of Road: N35.2794, W115.2474
• Alternate start: N35.2446, W115.2124

13. Kelbaker Road Dispersed Camping

Kelbaker Road is one of the main roads that traverses through the park. It runs for nearly 57 miles inside the park, starting at the southern entrance from I-40 and exiting in the northwest corner at I-15.

There are countless dirt roads off Kelbaker for dispersed camping, but below is a list of the main areas for camping in Mojave National Preserve along Kelbaker Road.

Upper Kelbaker Road

The upper section of Kelbaker Road has two dirt/sand roads where multiple dispersed camping sites are located. 

The Soda Dry Lake is known for having soft sand, so 4WD and high clearance are recommended. The Black Tank Wash area is right off the paved road and may be more suitable for low-clearance 2WD vehicles, but you’ll hear road noise and have less privacy.

• Soda Dry Lake Area (Beginning of road): N35.2454, W115.8891
• Black Tank Wash Dispersed Camp Spot: N35.2004, W115.8722

Middle Kelbaker Road

The middle section of Kelbaker Road has just one dispersed camping area, the Vulcan Mine. 2WD and low-clearance vehicles are usually capable of reaching this dispersed campsite, but anywhere beyond the listed GPS coordinates requires 4WD and high clearance due to loose sand and wash crossings.

• Vulcan Mine Dispersed Camp Spot: N34.9580, W115.6386

Lower Kelbaker Road

Lower Kelbaker Road has four areas for dispersed camping. When we went camping in Mojave National Preserve, we opted to stay at Van Winkle Mountain. We were able to make it in our 2WD low-clearance Ram Promaster, but the desert vegetation left a few love marks on our paint!

• Hidden Hills (Beginning of Road): N34.7936, W115.6099
• Van Winkle Mountain (Beginning of Road): N34.7814, W115.6217
• Dharma Tower (Beginning of Road): N34.7661, W115.6346
• Kelbaker Boulders (Beginning of Road): N34.7468, W115.6537

Most small camper vehicles can reach these dispersed areas, at least to the first few spots along the roads. Know your vehicle’s limits and do not attempt if you’re unsure. Wide or large RVs are not recommended due to narrow roads. 4WD is recommended but not required for many of these spots.

Dispersed Camping 101

Camping in Mojave National Preserve in a dispersed camp spot is an excellent way to enjoy the park from a quieter, more natural point of view. You won’t deal with generator noise or the normal buzz of a campground, and instead enjoy the park’s nature undisturbed.

If you’re unfamiliar with dispersed camping, here are a few pointers to make your stay as safe and fun as possible!

• Stay limit: There is a 14-day stay limit for camping in Mojave National Preserve.
• Established sites: Dispersed camping in the Mojave National Preserve is only permitted on previously disturbed sites. Creation of new camp spots is prohibited.
• Firewood: Collecting firewood inside the Mojave National Preserve is prohibited. Plants and animals depend on downed wood to survive, so be kind to wildlife and do not collect firewood.
• Leave No Trace: Do not leave food scraps, toilet paper, or garbage at your campsite. It attracts ravens and other predators that threaten the endangered desert tortoise. 
• Water: Water is only available in a few select places around the park. Natural water sources may be dry at any time of the year. The Hole-In-The-Wall campground has several water spigots with drinking water.
• Fee: Camping in Mojave National Preserve at dispersed campsites is FREE and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dispersed camping is dry camping. There are no amenities at any dispersed campsite, and you are expected to be completely self-contained. This means doing your business in the wilderness! The PACT Outdoors Lite Bathroom Kit can make this more comfortable and includes an aluminum shovel, wipes, and tabs that help break down your waste more quickly in the environment.

Weather conditions may make roads impassable, so be sure to check the weather and road conditions before traveling.

The Mojave Desert is unforgiving in the summer with sweltering heat. And winter? Expect freezing cold temperatures at night. Be prepared for the weather, no matter what season you visit. For more tips on dispersed camping, check out our article on the 4 ways to find free overnight parking.

Camping in Mojave National Preserve: Wrap-Up Session

Whether you prefer the comforts of an established campground or would rather rough it in some roadside camping, there are plenty of places for camping in the Mojave National Preserve. This beautiful preserve offers breathtaking scenery, desert landscapes, and plenty of hiking opportunities!

To recap, here are the 13 places open for camping in Mojave National Preserve:

1. Hole in the Wall Campground (established)
2. Mid Hills Campground (established)
3. Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground (established)
4. Rainy Day Mine Dispersed
5. Aiken Mine Dispersed
6. Kelso Dunes Dispersed
7. Granie Pass Dispersed
8. Sunrise Rocks (Mojave Cross) Dispersed
9. Billy Boy Mine Dispersed
10. Black Canyon Dispersed
11. New York Mountains Dispersed
12. Keystone Canyon Dispersed
13. Kelbaker Road Dispersed

For more camping, travel, and pet information, check out the Dirtbags with Furbags blog! Until next time, give your furbag an extra pet from us and keep exploring!