"~Mojave National Preserve~" Top 5 Page for this destination Mojave National Preserve by Yaqui

Mojave National Preserve Travel Guide: 45 reviews and 95 photos

Castle Peak~

The Mojave National Preserve was established by the 1994 California Desert Protection Act. The 1.6 million acre park encompasses much of the Mojave Desert. It is the third largest unit of the National Park System in the contiguous United States, as well as transitional elements of the Great Basin and Sonoran deserts. About half of the park is congressionally designed wilderness. Willderness areas, marked by signs, are open to hikers and horseback riders, but off limits to motor vehicles and bicycles.

~Mojave National Preserve~ - Mojave National Preserve

Summer temperatures often exceed 100*F; yearly rainfall ranges four to 14 inches. Elevations range from 800 feet near Baker to 7,929 feet atop Clark Mountain. A spine of mountains bisects the park north to south. Cinder cones, lava beds, sand dunes, the Soda Dry Lake, and Cima Dome attest to the geological forces at work through the ages along the Ivanpah Moutain, Mid Hills, New York Mountains, Granite Mountain and Providence Mountain ranges.

Kessler Name~Ranching History

Daniel Kistler raised beef for sale near what is now known as Kessler Springs Ranch, Road, & Peak. The Rock Springs Land & Cattle Company divided between1928-1931into a historic district that comprises about one million acres of high desert in Mojave National Preserve. The vast property, in use as cattle range from the 1880s to 2001, is scattered with hundreds of buildings, structures and features dating from the 19th century to the present, most of which are related to water distribution. Between 1928 and 1931 the original million-acre ranch was broken up into: Kessler Springs Ranch, 300,000 acres; OX Ranch, 400,000 acres; and Valley View Ranch, 300,000 acres. During the 1930s the new owners developed their ranches into well-organized, post-Taylor Grazing Act cattle raising operations, setting the scene for their successors who continued traditional ranching until recently. The district possesses historic integrity in regard to aspects of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. Due to its age and continuing use, the extant features range from good to poor condition. http://digital-desert.com/mojave preserve/rock-springs-ranch.html

Pros and Cons

Pros:A camping and hiking mecca~
Cons:Not many services, gas up before you enter!!!
In a nutshell:A vast land that encompasses beauty and mystery~

Last visit to Mojave National Preserve: Dec 2010
Intro Updated Jan 1, 2012
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Reviews (10)

Cinder Cones, Lava Flows, and Lava Tube Things to Do (9)

Another missed adventure, but someday:) Driving across the Mojave Desert on Interstate 15 or Kelbaker Road, visitors... more travel advice

Kelso Dunes Things to Do (9)

We didn't get to this since we didn't have time and my family wanted to get home. Yet, for those who want an adventure... more travel advice

Kelso Depot & Visitor Center Things to Do (9)

Kelso Depot Visitor Center has loads of information, exhibits, orientation film, art gallery, bookstore, restrooms,... more travel advice

The Mojave Road Historical Marker #37~ Things to Do (9)

The Mojave Road Long ago Mohave Indians used a network of pathways to cross the Mojave Desert to reach the Pacific... more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (1)
Hike Safely

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Comments (8)

LoriPori Mar 26, 2012 at 3:45 AM Report Abuse

Very cool main page. Love the Joshua trees.
hopang Mar 5, 2012 at 10:49 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful travel page! Location with beautiful landscape seems interesting to visit and explore especially Kelso Dunes and Lava Tube. Would like to visit one day if we have the chance. Thanks for sharing. Thanks also for visiting our New Zealand travel page. ~ho & pang
Kuznetsov_Sergey Jan 29, 2012 at 6:47 AM Report Abuse

A very interesting trip Mojave National Preserve! I would like to hike in Granite Toes to see its unique landforms as well as Cinder Cones, Lava Flows, and Lava Tube in the Mojave Desert.
Nemorino Jan 18, 2012 at 4:53 AM Report Abuse

I didn’t even know there was such a thing as the 1994 California Desert Protection Act. Good that they are protecting and preserving the desert.
MalenaN Jan 15, 2012 at 12:10 AM Report Abuse

So many Joshua trees! That looks nice! I'm sure I would enjoy the hike to the sand dunnes at sunset.
toonsarah Jan 9, 2012 at 2:47 AM Report Abuse

I love joshua trees - they just say "desert" to me :-) And the rock formations are great too, especially the toes! Shame you didn't get to the dunes though, as they look wonderful
wise23girl Jan 5, 2012 at 3:05 PM Report Abuse

You know the photo with Cinder Cones looks a bit like the Cawnpore Hills.....but if my memory seves me correctly the only other place in the world was South America...Ring any bells?
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/219273/
hunterV Jan 1, 2012 at 12:08 PM Report Abuse

Hello, Dee! Thanks for your interesting stories and useful tips, especially about snakes... We have some steppe snakes (adders) here, but they tend to disappear long before we notice them....