Mojave National Preserve: dunes, depot and cinder cones
Through the empty heart of the Mojave between I-15 and Route 66: cinder cones, a lonely railroad depot, singing dunes and a volcanic crater.
- Distance
- 369 km (229 mi)
- Driving
- 4 h 06 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 7
- States
- CA
- Updated
- June 2, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 369 km (229 mi) with 7 stops, from Barstow to Twentynine Palms. About 4 h 06 min of driving in total.
More road trips in California
Route description
From Barstow, follow I-15 east to Baker, the last reliable fuel for a while, with its tall roadside thermometer. Here Kelbaker Road turns south into Mojave National Preserve, passing a field of cinder cones and lava flows.
Kelso Depot, a 1920s railroad station alone in the desert, is now the preserve’s visitor center. South of it, a graded road leads to the Kelso Dunes; the climb to the top is short but tiring in loose sand, and the reward is a view over the whole basin.
Continue south to I-40, then north again on Essex Road to Hole-in-the-Wall, where the Rings Loop Trail climbs through a slot canyon on metal rings. There is a campground here and another at Mid Hills; both are first-come, first-served.
Return to old Route 66 at Essex and drive west to Amboy, where a cinder cone rises from a black lava field. Amboy Road then crosses the desert south to Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree. Carry plenty of water, and avoid the preserve in the heat of summer.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Barstow
CA - 2114 km
Baker
CA - 357 km
Kelso Depot
HistoryKelso, CAA Mission Revival railroad station from 1924, alone in the Mojave and now the visitor center of Mojave National Preserve. Freight trains still thunder past.
- 416 km
Kelso Dunes
NatureKelso, CADunes rising about 600 feet above the desert floor; slide down the steep faces and the sand can make a low booming sound. Climb early, not in the midday heat.
- 540 km
Hole-in-the-Wall
NatureEssex, CAVolcanic cliffs riddled with holes, where the Rings Loop Trail climbs through a narrow slot using metal rings bolted into the rock. A campground sits nearby.
- 680 km
Amboy Crater
NatureAmboy, CAA near-perfect cinder cone rising from a black lava field next to Route 66. The trail to the rim is exposed; go early in the morning and carry plenty of water.
- 762 km
Twentynine Palms
CA
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Barstow → Baker · 71 mi · 1 h 16 minOvernight nearby, for example: Soda Dry Lake View (10 mi); Black Tank Wash (12 mi).
- Day 2: Baker → Hole-in-the-Wall · 70 mi · 1 h 15 minOn the way: Kelso Depot, Kelso Dunes.Overnight nearby, for example: Hole-in-the-Wall Campground (< 1 km); Province Mountains SRA (10 mi).
- Day 3: Hole-in-the-Wall → Twentynine Palms · 88 mi · 1 h 34 minOn the way: Amboy Crater.Overnight nearby, for example: White Tank Campground (11 mi); Joshua Tree Lake (12 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. Hot in June–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Mojave National Preserve: dunes, depot and cinder cones?
3-day road trip of about 369 km (229 mi) with 7 stops, from Barstow to Twentynine Palms. About 4 h 06 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Mojave National Preserve: dunes, depot and cinder cones?
We suggest 3 days: about 4 h 06 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Mojave National Preserve: dunes, depot and cinder cones start and end?
It starts in Barstow and ends in Twentynine Palms.
Which states does Mojave National Preserve: dunes, depot and cinder cones pass through?
California.
Where can you camp along Mojave National Preserve: dunes, depot and cinder cones?
OpenStreetMap lists 34 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Sawtooth Canyon Campground, Kelso Dunes Mine and Owl Canyon Campground.
When is the best time for Mojave National Preserve: dunes, depot and cinder cones?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
