Ready to hit the open road in search of your next great outdoor adventure? Why not stop by the Mojave Trails National Monument? It's a great place to visit on an RV getaway.
Mojave Trails National Monument is a property of immense proportions that rests in the city of Twentynine Palms, California. With 1.6 million acres of land to its credit, this Bureau of Land Management property offers a vast tract of naturally landscaped grounds for families to explore. The famed Joshua Tree National Park proudly serves as the gateway to this beloved recreational area.
Mojave Trails National Monument is proud to lay claim to the untouched section of the famed Route 66. Here, the land is a stunning combination of awe-inspiring mountains, long-dormant volcano remains, and incredible sand dunes. This beloved recreational area boasts of being the biggest undeveloped national monument property found within the United States. Found within its grounds are four wilderness areas, including Trilobite, Clipper Mountain, Piute Mountains, and Bigelow Cholla Garden.
Every visit to Mojave Trails National Monument must include a trip to the well-renowned Amboy Crater. This former volcano is now extinct but remains an object of great fascination for visitors from far and wide.
For those on a road trip looking for a place to stop en route from Las Vegas to Los Angeles., Mojave Trails National Monument will not disappoint. There are many wonderful recreational activities to enjoy here, including hiking, camping, and off-roading. There are 22 developed campsites directly on the monument grounds where families can enjoy RV and tent camping. Dispersed camping can also be found interspersed throughout this BLM land.
If you're hankering for RV adventure like no other you've experienced before, plan a trip to Mojave Trails National Monument. You'll have an amazing time!
The route to Mojave Trails National Monument travels along major highways of both two and four-lane construction. Traffic moves along very well on these roads which are kept in very good condition.
Construction does occur on occasion but rarely causes any delays.
Parking can be found via several on-premise lots at Mojave Trails National Monument.
There is currently no public transportation available to Mojave Trails National Monument.
Afton Canyon Campground is found on the premises of the Mojave Trails National Monument. This beloved camping facility is home to 22 campsites and one spot which is suitable for group camping.
Afton Canyon Campground offers primitive camping conditions with few amenities. Among the services provided on-site are picnic tables, shelters, bathrooms, and garbage cans.
Camping is not permitted on the grounds outside these 22 sites, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The maximum RV length that can be accommodated here is 30 feet.
Though water is available here through a pipe, it is not always reliable. For this reason, it's a good idea for both RV and tent campers to bring some with them from home. Each campsite has a picnic table and barbecue.
Pit toilets are housed on the grounds for public use.
Pets are welcome at Afton Canyon Campground but must be leashed.
One of nine campgrounds found within Joshua Tree National Park, Hidden Valley Campground offers RV and tent camping year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. This popular camping facility offers 44 campsites in total. Though there are pit toilets on the premises, there is no access to power or water.
This camping facility is located off a broad walkway and is beautifully landscaped by large rocks and the surrounding cover of Joshua trees.
Dogs are welcome here but must remain leashed.
Due to the dry climate making the area prone to fires, campfires are restricted to designated areas only.
The maximum trailer length allowed here is 25 feet.
Amboy Crater offers families the rare opportunity to hike through an extinct volcano that is estimated to be 6,000 years old. Found on the same grounds as Mojave Trails National Monument, these volcanic remains were established as a national landmark in 1973. The cinder cone volcano is remarkable for its nearly flawless symmetry. From the pinnacle of the volcano, families can enjoy spectacular views of Bristol Dry Lake and the Marble Mountains.
A trail leads up the volcano and through a section where lava flow created volcanic lakes. Incredibly hot temperatures make hiking into the heart of the volcano unfavorable during the peak times of the day.
Found within Mojave Trails National Monument is Afton Canyon, a region commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Mojave. The area is extremely picturesque and prominently displays a landscape which has been affected by erosion from both wind and water. The property is incredibly colorful and is littered with green and red, which closely resemble splashes of paint.
It is believed that Afton Canyon was developed between 12,000 to 19,000 years ago. Today this BLM land is an extremely popular site for families to explore on foot.
Wildlife is present in abundance at this beautiful recreational area. Some of the species of animals commonly seen include bighorn sheep, raptors, and kangaroo rats.
During a visit to Mojave Trails National Monument, it is a must to meander through the Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness. One of four wilderness regions found within the monument, this particular preserve is located a few miles outside the town of Needles, CA. The species it provides protection form is known as the Bigelow cholla, a large cactus that grows to be approximately knee height.
A trip to this preserve allows families to see such desert-dwelling creatures as jackrabbits and coyotes. Visitors to this spot also rave about the incredible views of the stars at night.
Mojave Trails National Monument, as a BLM property, allows dispersed camping throughout the premises year-round. The only areas RV and tent campers are asked to avoid is the Afton Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern and the Amboy Crater parking lot.
No amenities are provided at these sites, and a maximum stay of 14 days is strictly enforced. However, for campers wishing to enjoy a longer stay, they are welcome to move to a new location that is a minimum of 25 miles from the site they previously occupied.
In addition to these rules, the monument officials request that campsites be located 1/4 mile from any wildlife water supply.
The Wildlands Conservancy makes its mission the preservation of the natural landscape and environment found within the region. The foundation came into being in 1995.
The grounds consist of 19 different preserves, which represent 156,000 acres of land in total. Throughout the conservancy, visitors can enjoy traveling through such topographical features as rich mountain ranges and deep valleys as well as both river and ocean views. Among the most popular activities at Wildlands Conservancy are camping, hiking, picnicking, and bird watching.
When it comes to scenic vistas and an abundance of wildlife, you won't want for picture-perfect opportunities during a trip to the Mojave Trails National Monument. Here you will find everything from extinct volcano remains to incredible valleys, lush wilderness, and ocean views, all waiting for you to train your lens upon their natural beauty.
Since this land is extremely varied, you will need good walking shoes on this expedition. Though dogs are welcome in some areas of Mojave Trails National Monument, be sure not to disturb the wildlife that makes this region its home if you decide to bring Fido along your photo-taking adventure.
The gateway to the Mojave Trails National Monument, Joshua Tree National Park is definitely worth a visit. The park connects to desert locales: the Mojave and the Colorado.
The region is home to many unusual plants, as well as a vast array of wildlife. The land has been ravaged by winds over the years, creating an interesting landscape where many woodland creatures make their home.
Joshua National Park is home to nine campgrounds, making it an excellent place for families hoping to do some RV or tent camping in the area.
