Mojave National Preserve
USA Holiday Destinations
Anyone planning a trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles will find themselves driving straight past the Mojave National Preserve. Even if you are only passing through it is worth taking the time to detour through the preserve which has spectacular views of a wide range of mountain and desert landscapes.
The Mojave National Preserve is mistakenly perceived by many to be a desert wasteland. Despite this public misconception it has been a protected area for many years and in 1994 was handed to the state of California to manage and preserve the delicate ecosystem for the enjoyment of future generations. The rugged landscape and sometimes harsh climate make RV rentals and campervan hire the perfect choice when planning a visit to the area.
There were those who originally opposed the special protection granted to this area, some believed the vast tracts of seemingly empty land were better suited to 4-wheel driving and mining. However scientific exploration of the area confirms the need for this special protection status. When you drive around the area from the comfort of yoru RV rental you will be thankful that this land is preserved for future generations.
The desert is alive with both plant and animal life. From the low lying plains where creosote bush dominate to the high altitude landscape in which pinyon pine and juniper woodlands thrive, the preserves plant life includes 70 percent of the vascular plants known to California deserts. As well as supporting a wide range of plant life the desert is also home to over 300 different species of animals and is frequently used by over 200 species of birds.
Use of the preserve is now managed with high quality, low impact campgrounds provided for public use. Most of these campgrounds are RV rental friendly and provide the basic necessities. Fortunately travelers in one of our campervan rentals will already have many creature comforts on board which will make their stay even mroe enjoyable.
The Mojave National Preserve brings together the three vast regions of the Mojave, Sonoran and Great Basin deserts. The preserve contains a variety of interesting geological features including seven different mountain ranges, volcanic cinder cones at Cima, and sand dunes at Kelso.
History buffs will find the Piute Range in the south east corner of the preserve particularly interesting. Because it contains the preserves only year round source of water there are numerous archeological remains in the area.
The area can be explored by car or RV rental through the network of paved roads that cross the 1.6 million acres of the preserve. The major roads are paved however most of the smaller ones are unpaved and lead to old settlements, water wells and mines, with many of them having being abandoned long ago. The three major paved roads can all be found along Interstate 15; the Kelbaker, Cima and Morning Star Mine roads converge at Cima, and from here a good quality road runs south to Kelso and then on to Interstate 40 at Amboy.
This route travels past many of the major highlights of the preserve with the journey from I-15 making a spectacular drive taking roughly 2 hours. It is also part of the shortest route from Las Vegas to Palm Springs. Along the way there are a number of maintained hiking trails.
Kelbaker Road
This is a paved road that can be found approximately 30 miles east of Fenner, Calif. It joins the two major Interstate roads I-15 and I-40. Features that can be found here include Cinder Cones National Natural Landmark, Kelso Depot Visitor Centre, Kelso Dunes, Granite Mountains and more. This road should be first on your list when you visit on your RV rental holiday to the area.
First time visitors to the area will find a wealth of information at the Kelso Depot. View exhibits, orientation films, and art works about the area. There is even a bookstore for those who seek a deeper understanding of the geological features of the area. The depot also has a lunch counter, rest rooms, drinkable water supply and a picnic area.
ZZyzx Road
This is a 4 mile stretch of gravel road that is west of Baker, Calif along I-15. While RV rental vehicles are not recommended for this road it is short enough to walk along the western shore of Soda (dry) Lake and around Lake Tuendae. Here you will find self-guided trails as well as exhibits and picnic areas for enjoyment of the area.
Cima Road
This is a paved road that heads south from I-15 to Cima. It passes one of the world's largest, densest Joshua tree forests. You will find the road also connects with Kelso-Cima road which leads to the Kelso Depot.
Black Canyon, Essex & Cedar Canyon Roads
Essex Road is a paved road leading from I-40 to Mitchell Caverns. To reach the Hole-in-the-Wall RV rental friendly campground take the turn off into Black Canyon Road. This is a graded dirt road which is generally suitable for most cars. However as always be sure you check on the road conditions before making your trip. Cedar Canyon Road is also a graded dirt road which leads to Kelso-Cima Road.
Nipton, Ivanpah & Lanfair Roads
Nipton road is a paved road that leads from I-15 to a private campground, store and restaurant. The other two roads are graded dirt roads which eventually end at Route 66.
