CALIFORNIA · PLACES & PERSPECTIVES
The Mojave Desert
A landscape of mountain ranges, dunes and wide-open roads
The Mojave Desert extends across parts of California and neighboring states. Within California, Mojave National Preserve, Death Valley and the higher parts of Joshua Tree offer distinct experiences. They are not interchangeable stops, and the distances between them deserve serious attention when planning a route.
Choose a park and a base
Mojave National Preserve is a useful focus for a journey between desert mountain ranges and open basins. Start with the National Park Service’s current visitor information to identify accessible roads, facilities and places suited to your vehicle. A route crossing the preserve is different from a short stop beside an interstate.
Look for contrasts
Elevation, exposure and geology shape the desert. Joshua trees, dune landscapes and rocky ranges do not occur uniformly everywhere. Choose a specific feature that interests you, then plan its access and walking conditions. The Colorado Desert farther south has a different environmental character.
MAKE IT YOUR JOURNEY
Plan your visit
Check weather and road notices before entering remote areas. Summer heat can be extreme; winter can bring freezing conditions at elevation. The preserve has no gasoline sales, so plan fuel outside it and carry water and an offline map. Do not rely on an unpaved shortcut suggested by navigation software.