Mojave Desert Preserve
Hole in the Wall
The volcanic rock formations in the area make this a popular recreation site. Favorite activities in the area include camping, picnicking and hiking. Rock climbing on the volcanic rocks is not recommended because of their crumbly nature. Fall and spring are the most popular seasons for camping, with winter and summer providing variable weather conditions and temperatures.
Over million of years, eruptions spewed layers of lava and ash over this area. Uneven cooling and gases captured during the eruption, formed "holes " in the rock. Erosion has enlarged these holes to create spectacular caverns. The oxidation of iron in this volcanic material lends a contrasting reddish color to the gray background.
The volcanic flows and surrounding land were eventually altered by the action of wind and rain transforming the original landscape to what you see today. The small table topped plateaus (mesas) are isolated remnants of these flows and show the powerful forces of erosion.
There is a well developed campground with running water and toilet facilities. There are two unmaintained trails available at Hole-in-the-Wall. One leaves from the picnic area and travels west through the volcanic rock. This trail involves a descent down metal rings and scrambling around and over many boulders. This is for the experienced hiker.
The Hole-in-the-Wall Campground, located at 4,400 feet elevation and surrounded by sculptured volcanic rock walls, is a wonderful spot for camping. It has 35 campsites with areas large enough for motorhomes and trailers, and two walk-in tent sites. Facilities include pit toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, trashcans, and drinkable water on a limited basis. There are no utility hookups but there is a sanitary disposal station. More ...
For a Book and Map of the area see our
Mojave National Preserve Introductory Package
General Info| Maps | Description | Things to Do
Camping and Lodging | Nearby/Resource
Other locations to visit in Mojave Desert
Site Guide | Maps | Search | Index | About DUSA | Feedback| Privacy
Aquis Towels | Hotels | Polo Club News
DesertUSA is a comprehensive resource about the North American deserts and Southwest destinations. Learn about desert biomes while you discover how desert plants and animals learn to adapt to the harsh desert environment. Study desert landscapes and how the geologic features unique to the desert regions are formed. Find travel information about national parks, state parks, BLM land, and Southwest cities and towns located in or near the desert regions of the United States. Access maps and information about the Sonoran Desert, Mojave Desert, Great Basin Desert, and Chihuahuan Desert, which lie in the geographic regions of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, and Utah in the United States and into Mexico.
Mojave National Preserve Video
Located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas is the Mojave National Preserve, a 1.6 million acre park. Trains pass through this area over rails built by the Union Pacific, leading to Kelso. See the Kelso Depot, built in 1924 and closed in 1985. It has been completely restored, and is now Mojave NP's information center, with museum exhibits and historically furnished rooms.
Road Trips Videos
Exploring Route 66 - Historic Mohave Desert Sites
Amboy Road at Sheeps Hole Pass looks into the big basin of Bristol Dry Lake, which was covered by the sea about four million years ago. Across the salt lake, Amboy Dry Crater rises in the distance. The town of Amboy dates back to 1858; it became a critical gas and rest stop on Route 66 after World War II. When I-40 bypassed it in 1972, Amboy almost became a ghost town. Follow the DesertUSA team as they revisit old Route 66 in the Mohave and take a look at some historic sites along the way.
4 Wheeling on Old Dale Road
Joshua Tree NP
Titus Canyon, drive through Red Pass
___________________________________
We have a online Wildflower Field Guide that is designed to help you identify desert wildflowers by color, scientific name, region and common name. The pictures are sized to work on the iPod, iPhone and similar devices. With your iPod or phone you will easily be able to identify wildflowers while in the desert. Links for downloads are on the bottom of the Wildflower Field Guide page.
_________________________________
