Piute Range Dispersed Camping — Mojave National Preserve

Newly plowed road, still dirt, but you don’t need a 4x4. We drove our mini van. Got here in the middle of the night and had no idea what to expect. Took the first spot we found. Not a soul in sight. I found it easier to work without flashlights as the moths swarmed you if you used them. Harmless but annoying. Once your eyes adjust, there are so many stars you can see a fair amount. Especially when the moon appeared!

Halfway up the somewhat technical 4X4 road passing over the Piute Mountains, there are a handful of dispersed campsites nestled in and around the wash area. Including this stunner of a site we scored with a fire pit. Incredible views and only a few passing vehicles overnight. We explored the wash and while there were a few amazing spots in there, in the spring it was FILLED with bees. So explore cautiously and feel out the area a bit before unpacking and setting up camp. Just above the wash on the downhill was the best site we found but WOW does the wind come ripping through at night.