Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Mojave National Preserve, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- California, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Mojave Desert (400–2,400 m)
- Best season
- October – April
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
- Wildlife Viewing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Mojave Desert (400–2,400 m)
- Best season: October – April
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Mojave National Preserve
Topic summary
1.6 million acres of Joshua tree forest, sand dunes, cinder cones, and granite peaks between I-15 and I-40.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: October – April
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Mojave Desert (400–2,400 m)
Verification notes
Permit source: NPS — Mojave National Preserve camping.
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Mojave National Preserve trip tools
How to get there
Mojave National Preserve is in California, USA, United States. Its center point is 35.1500, -115.5000. Use these links for live turn-by-turn directions from where you are, then confirm road, trailhead and access conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Mojave National Preserve
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
Animals around Mojave National Preserve
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Mojave National PreserveAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Mojave National Preserve
Planning to fish Mojave National Preserve, California? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in California are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Mojave National Preserve?
- A California fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current California fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Mojave National Preserve
Thinking about hunting Mojave National Preserve, California? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in California are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Mojave National Preserve?
- Confirm the land around Mojave National Preserve is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in California?
- A California hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
The preserve’s desert setting
Mojave National Preserve is a California destination in the broader Mojave Desert landscape. For trip planning, distinguish the preserve from the desert as a whole: the Mojave extends primarily across southeastern California and southwestern Nevada, with smaller portions in Arizona and Utah. Its roughly 54,000-square-mile extent describes the wider desert, not the preserve. The region has basin-and-range terrain, with a recurring pattern of mountain ranges and valleys rather than one continuous flat expanse. That distinction matters when choosing an outing: travel across a valley and travel into mountain terrain call for different preparation. Start with a current preserve map and identify the actual access and terrain for a proposed walk before committing to an itinerary. Regional geography alone is not enough to establish a usable trail or road.
Dry country with elevation to consider
The Mojave lies in the rain shadow of the southern Sierra Nevada and the Transverse Ranges. It is the smallest and driest of the four deserts commonly grouped as the larger North American desert system, alongside the Sonoran, Chihuahuan, and Great Basin deserts. Much of the Mojave sits between 2,000 and 4,000 feet, which explains its common description as the high desert; those figures are regional, not an elevation range for the preserve. Plan around both dryness and the elevation of the specific outing. Carry drinking water rather than assuming it can be found along the way, bring sun protection, and check the forecast for the terrain being visited. Layers are a sensible addition to a desert packing list, particularly when an itinerary moves between valleys and higher ground.
Building a place-specific itinerary
Within Southern California’s broad geography, the Mojave lies toward the Nevada border, separate from the Colorado Desert and Colorado River country toward Arizona. This is the inland desert side of the region, not an extension of its coastal visitor areas. A useful preserve itinerary needs more detail than that regional orientation provides: establish a confirmed arrival point, choose a mapped route, and check current access with the managing agency. Do not treat a place elsewhere in the Mojave as part of the preserve simply because it shares the desert’s name. The wider Mojave supports recreation alongside ranching and military training, so broad regional descriptions should not be read as permission to enter land. Keep route selection tied to verified preserve boundaries and current visitor information.
Sample itineraries
- One-day desert introduction · 1 day
Plan a daylight visit to Mojave National Preserve focused on desert scenery and short walks suited to the forecast. Confirm access with the managing agency before choosing stops. Carry drinking water and leave room to shorten the outing if conditions become uncomfortable.
- Two-day landscape study · 2 days
Use two days to explore the Mojave's basin-and-range landscape at an unhurried pace. Focus one day on broad valley views and the other on mountain scenery from confirmed accessible locations. Arrange an authorized overnight option separately; this plan does not assume camping availability.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; choose outing times using the local forecast
Plan for dry desert exposure rather than assuming mild conditions throughout the day. Carry water and sun protection, and adjust walking plans to the temperature at the specific location.
Summer
Summer; favor cooler hours when heat is forecast
Heat and dryness warrant conservative plans. Keep walks short in hot conditions, carry drinking water, and avoid making a full day outdoors depend on sustained exertion.
Fall
Fall; check conditions before setting the schedule
Do not assume the season removes heat or water concerns. Use the forecast to set walking duration, and bring layers for changing temperatures across the desert landscape.
Winter
Winter; plan around forecast temperatures
The broader Mojave is a high desert, not a reliably warm winter setting. Carry insulating layers and choose outings that can be shortened if cold or changing weather makes exposure uncomfortable.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; choose outing times using the local forecast | Plan for dry desert exposure rather than assuming mild conditions throughout the day. Carry water and sun protection, and adjust walking plans to the temperature at the specific location. |
| Summer | Summer; favor cooler hours when heat is forecast | Heat and dryness warrant conservative plans. Keep walks short in hot conditions, carry drinking water, and avoid making a full day outdoors depend on sustained exertion. |
| Fall | Fall; check conditions before setting the schedule | Do not assume the season removes heat or water concerns. Use the forecast to set walking duration, and bring layers for changing temperatures across the desert landscape. |
| Winter | Winter; plan around forecast temperatures | The broader Mojave is a high desert, not a reliably warm winter setting. Carry insulating layers and choose outings that can be shortened if cold or changing weather makes exposure uncomfortable. |
Hazards & regulations
- Dry desert conditions increase dehydration risk. Carry drinking water rather than relying on finding it during an outing.
- Heat and sun exposure can make walking more demanding. Reduce exertion when temperatures rise.
- Mountain-and-valley terrain requires careful footing and realistic route choices. Confirm terrain before committing to a walk.
- High-desert temperatures can challenge visitors expecting constant warmth. Check the forecast and carry layers.
What to pack for Mojave National Preserve
- Drinking water for the planned outing and delays
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Footwear suited to uneven ground
- Lightweight sun-covering clothing
- Insulating layer
- Weather-appropriate outer layer
- Map of the intended outing
- Confirmed access information
- First-aid supplies
- Food for the outing
- Headlamp
Mojave National Preserve FAQ
- What landscape defines the Mojave?
- The broader Mojave Desert has basin-and-range topography: a repeating pattern of mountain ranges and valleys. That regional setting offers a useful starting point for planning a scenery-focused visit.
- Why is the Mojave called the high desert?
- Much of the broader Mojave lies between 2,000 and 4,000 feet. Those regional elevations help explain the nickname; they are not an elevation range for every location within Mojave National Preserve.
- How dry is this desert?
- The Mojave is the smallest and driest of the four deserts commonly grouped as the larger North American desert. Its rain-shadow setting makes water planning a central part of any outdoor visit.
- How should a first visit be planned?
- Start with a modest daylight outing, confirm access with the managing agency, and choose walks only after checking local conditions. Avoid treating a regional desert description as a route guide.
- Can camping or permit arrangements be assumed?
- No. Confirm the rules for the intended activity and overnight location directly with the managing agency before finalizing the trip.