Camper submitted image from Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve - 3
People
Camper submitted image from Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve - 4
Camping
Camper submitted image from Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve - 5
Roads

Established Camping

Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve

Description

National Park Service

Mojave National Preserve

Overview

Mojave preserves a diverse mosaic of ecological habitats and a 10,000 year history of human connection with the desert. Offering extensive opportunities to experience desert landscapes, the preserve promotes understanding and appreciation for the increasingly threatened resources of the Mojave Desert. This remote preserve encourages a sense of discovery and a connection to wild places. The Hackberry Fire swept through the Mid Hills area in 2005, burning much of the vegetation. About half of 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 somewhat steep and is therefore not recommended for large motor homes or trailers. Water is not available at this campground.

Recreation

There are over 1.6 million acres to explore. The popular main attractions are accessible by paved and unpaved roads and more remote areas of the park will require a high clearance, 4WD vehicle. Check out the must see highlights: Mojave National Preserve Must See Highlights Explore the preserve off the beaten path! Take your street legal vehicle along the historic Mojave Road or visit the multitude of canyons and mining roads. Be sure to have high clearance and 4WD. Do not enter mines. 4WD Routes Mojave offers many hikes to choose! Hiking Visit Zzyzx and learn about its history. It is also a great birding location due to its pond.

Facilities

Each campsite contains 1-2 vehicle parking spots, picnic table, fire ring, and tent area. Vault toilets are available around the campground. No water is available.

Natural Features

Three of the four major North American deserts are found at Mojave National Preserve: the Mojave, Great Basin, and Sonoran. Dozens of seeps and springs coupled with varied elevations and soil types create microhabitats that support a diversity of plant and animal life. Cactus gardens, relict plant communities of white fir and chaparral and the densest, largest Joshua tree forest are all found here. Geologically, the region is just as diverse as it is ecologically. Mountain ranges, dry riverbeds, great mesas, towering sand dunes, striking cinders cones, domes and lava flows define Mojave. Ancient rocks that date back to 2.5 billion years old have been discovered in the Clark Mountains. Set out to search for the blooms across the preserve: Wildflowers Visit the worlds largest Joshua Tree forest around the Cima Dome area.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (760) 252-6100.

Nearby Attractions

Popular Hikes: Kelso Dunes - Hike to the top of our most popular sand dune! Rings Loop 1.5 miles, Discover how Hole-in-the-Wall got its name as you ascend narrow Banshee Canyon with the help of metal rings mounted in the rock. Barber Peak - This loop trail encircles Barber Peak just west of Hole-in-the-Wall Campground. Lava Tube - Explore an underground wonder! High clearance vehicle recommended. Teutonia Peak - A mixed Joshua tree forest and Joshua tree graveyard beckon en route to a rocky peak with expansive views of Cima Dome and beyond! This area burned in August 2020.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Los Angeles, Barstow, and Joshua Tree via Interstate 40: Exit Essex Road and drive north for 10 miles and turn right at the junction to Black Canyon Road. Continue for 16 miles and turn left at Wild Horse Canyon Rd. Continue for 2.5 miles to the campground. Roads leading to Mid Hills after Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center are unpaved and not recommended for motorhomes and trailers. From Death Valley and Las Vegas via Interstate 15: From the Kelbaker Road, Cima Road, or Nipton Road entrances, make your way to Kelso-Cima Road and turn east onto Cedar Canyon Road. Continue onto Cedar Canyon Road for 6 miles and turn right onto Black Canyon Road for 3 miles. Turn right onto Wild Horse Canyon Road for 2.5 miles.

Coordinates

35.123425 N
115.433098 W

Open in Google Maps

Is Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve sold out?

Quickly grab cancellations!

Learn More

Access

Have you camped here? Help us improve this campground page.

Add Access Type

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Reservable
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Water Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

84%
17%
0%
0%
0%

5.0

out of 5

12 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 8, 2021

Off the beaten path

A little rough and rocky to get there, but our Kia made it without 4 wheel drive.
Did some hiking, then ended the day by our campfire. Fantastic quiet location. Great sunrise.

Sitenot certain
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Nikki S., August 8, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 7, 2021

Good for beginning boondocking

Pure Review:  

Stayed here on the 29th of May 2021. Was a little warm during the day but hella cool at night. The campground is kinda remote, way better than "Hole in The Wall." You can get there in a 2wd car during dry conditions. Nice sites with a table and fire pit. Room for trailer or tent camping. Might have to arrive early to get a good site. 

************************FACTS*********************************************

Price: $12 (first come basis)

Water: NO  

Amenities: Picnic tables and fire ring/grill

Access: A freaking Prius made it

Cell service: Verizon 2-3 bars @ top of hill next to site 24

Pit toilet: Clean

Privacy: Yes/NO depends on your site.

Pure Tip:

Drive the loop before you pick a site. Better ones are at the back. Enjoy!!

SiteSite 24
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Torrance , August 7, 2021
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Torrance , August 7, 2021
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Torrance , August 7, 2021
  • (11) View All
Reviewed May. 27, 2021

Awesome camp site

This is a great spot. The drive here can be a bit rough if you come down cedar canyon. Cedar canyon and black canyon roads are full of washboard spots that makes for a bumpy ride.

No water or cell service at this site. They do have bathrooms. You do need to pay per night but they had no pencil or writing device so we couldn’t fill out the form. Ending up dropping a blank envelope in. Maybe bring a pen 😀

This site can be windy depending on when you go.

Site26
Month of VisitFebruary
Reviewed Apr. 8, 2021

We shall return

Long road in need of grading. Glad we stuck with it once we arrived. Privacy, fire rings, standing grills, table, but most importantly quiet. A few sites have fantastic views. No running water, so we brought our own. The pit toilets are very clean. We preferred this to Hole in the Wall down the road since it was packed! We’ll be back!

  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Nikki , April 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Nikki , April 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Nikki , April 8, 2021
Reviewed Mar. 4, 2021

Amazing night sky

Site 22

I choose this site for its privacy. Boy I should have considered the hill for the wind factor. My fault. But overall great camping experience. Just a little windy at night. Nice to get off the grid.

  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Bobby C., March 4, 2021
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Bobby C., March 4, 2021
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Bobby C., March 4, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Nov. 16, 2019

Good camping!

We brought the rpod. Left it in the camp and explored lava tubes and sand dunes near by. NO more water! Used to have water but they broke and no plans to fix. Very windy. We went 10/18/19 Lots of hunters! Deer season

  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Jamie C., November 16, 2019
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Jamie C., November 16, 2019
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Jamie C., November 16, 2019
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Aug. 9, 2019

Unexpected fun in the Mojave Desert

This is a simple campground but it's quite and spread out enough that you have privacy.  We saw some great wildlife when we came across a few deer and a gorgeous jack rabbit!  The sunsets were unreal!!!  Don't expect much from this simple campground except a place to come back to after a day of exploring the desert.  It can also get a little windy, but sites 11 & 24 seemed the best to avoid the wind.  

Be warned - we took a backway unknowingly to the light tunnels and ended up in a pretty dicey situation even for a Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Service is touch and go in a lot of the desert.

Site11
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Kate W., August 9, 2019
  • (29) View All
Reviewed May. 6, 2018

Night Drive

Gorgeous open plains/canyons make for awesome star watching. Nearest city about 1 and a half out with lights. Honor system. No showers. Hole in the ground outhouse toilets. No water, so bring your own. Coyote visits. Sweet sunset and sunrise views.

Site17
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Nicole R., May 6, 2018
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Nicole R., May 6, 2018
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Nicole R., May 6, 2018
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Apr. 30, 2018

Winter Camping Without the Snow

Having camped here twice this year, it's a favorite of mine. Temps are decent, even in January (mid-30s for lows) and perfect in April. Tree cover is still a bit sparse and hiking options are limited, but it's a great place to set up camp and do absolutely nothing. Normally, water is available, but they are revamping the water system and the result is that there is no water available at the campground until Spring 2019, so be sure you bring plenty with you.

Site15
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Peter A., April 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Peter A., April 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Peter A., April 30, 2018
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Apr. 4, 2018

Great visit

Went on a Saturday night and had no problem finding a spot. There is no potable water at the campground currently, but you can get some at the visitors center a few miles away. Go to the back of the campground for some more private spots with a few trees.

SiteSite #3
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Lauren S., April 4, 2018
Reviewed Jun. 9, 2017

Ranger Review: Seattle Sports FrostPak™ CoolPak at Mid Hills Campground

Campground Review About an hour drive from I-15 or I-40 in the Mojave National Preserve, this high desert campground has an abundance of desert life with ample views of the surrounding mountains. I camped at site 21 at the far Northern end of the campground. The site was surrounded by juniper trees and pinyon pines which offered shade during the day and a wind break at night. I camped here in late May and while valley temperatures were in the upper 90s, this campground stayed about 10° cooler and was almost chilly at night. A fire came through the campground in 2005 leaving the southern sites much more exposed than the northern sites. Some northern sites also have views of other mountain ranges.

One thing to note it that this campground is a bit far from some of the main attractions of the Mojave Preserve. It’s about a 30 min drive to Kelso depot and an hour to the closest food and gas, so come prepared. The campground had massive sites that could easily fit multiple tents (in fact the group next to us had 6 trucks and as many tents on their site). This campground is good for families, couples, or groups and apparently is popular with hunters and off roaders. The nights I was there it was quiet and secluded despite most sites around being filled.

My favorite aspect of the campground was the abundant wildlife. At my site, I saw many lizards, bunnies, kangaroo rats, birds and beetles as well as blooming cacti and wildflowers.

The fee to stay here is a very reasonable 12$ per night and it is first come first serve. This campground has pit toilets and water available. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with a grill grate. Click here for more info about the campground!


**Product Review**

As a Dyrt Ranger, I also get products to test and review in the field. At this campground I tested the [Seattle Sports FrostPak™ CoolPak](http://www.seattlesportsco.com/camp/coolers/frostpak-coolpak.html).

This FrostPak™ CoolPak was a great companion for a hot desert trip! Why you ask?

1\. This cooler is very well insulated while still being spacious. It held ice for about 10hrs while sitting in the sun and kept drinks cold for over a day. It held a 6 pack easily with ice.

2\. The backpack feature works great making it easy to carry and access. The straps are adjustable and comfortable. It is as heavy as you pack it though using freezer packs may provide cool temperatures for lighter weights. I foresee packing it with drinks and lunches and bringing it to the beach, to a picnic or out on the lake.

3\. Though many backpacks are prone to tip, this one doesn’t. It stands very well on its own meaning you don’t have to worry about losing your ice or your lunch if you leave it open.

One word of advice: the backpack has a zipper at the top and while every other part is well sealed, the zipper is not and may slowly leak over time if the bag is not upright. Overall great product perfect for many different adventures!
Site21
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Amanda D., June 9, 2017
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Amanda D., June 9, 2017
  • Review photo of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve by Amanda D., June 9, 2017
  • (16) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve has water hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve?

    Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve allows vehicles up to 20 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve?

    There are 26 campsites at Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts