## 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][1]  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 ][2]  Mojave offers many hikes to choose! [Hiking][3]  Visit [Zzyzx][4] 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][5]  Visit the world’s 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. 

[1]: https://www.nps.gov/tripideas/mojave-national-preserve-must-see-highlights.htm
[2]: https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/4wdroutes.htm
[3]: https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
[4]: https://www.nps.gov/moja/learn/historyculture/zzyzx.htm
[5]: https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/wildflowers.htm

Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve

Join the fun near Cima. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Cima is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your California camping adventure.

Cima

The Best Camping Near Cima, California

**Campground Review** About an hour drive from I-15 or I-40 in the [Mojave National Preserve](https://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm), 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](https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm) for more info about the campground!

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**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!

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

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.

Great visit

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.

Winter Camping Without the Snow

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.

Night Drive

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 &amp; 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.

Unexpected fun in the Mojave Desert

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 

Good camping! 

We stop here on our way from Utah to the Bay Area and it was a great experience. Beautiful place 

Nice disperse camping area

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. 

Amazing night sky 

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!

We shall return

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. 

Awesome camp site

**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!!

Good for beginning boondocking

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.

Off the beaten path

This out-of-the-way campground is wonderful.  Sites are spacious and well spaced out.  I was there in March and it was uncrowded with plenty of vacancies.  Look for a spot on the outside of the loop - some of them have amazing views out over the adjacent hills.  I highly recommend this campground.

Hidden gem

Bumpy road to get in, but definitely worth it.  Sites are spacious and well spaced out.  I was there in March and it was uncrowded with plenty of vacancies.  Some of the spots on the outside of loop have amazing views over the surrounding mountains.  Highly recommend.

Photos of Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve

Real photos from real campers