Joshua Tree National Park
Three million visitors annually, most concentrated in the northern sections near the west entrance. Weekend parking at popular trailheads fills by 9am. Camping reservations require months of advance planning. The park has become an Instagram destination, which brings benefits but also crowds that overwhelm the desert silence Joshua Tree was once known for.
How They Compare
Why Consider Mojave National Preserve
Mojave National Preserve covers 1.6 million acres of California desert - three times the size of Joshua Tree. It has Joshua trees too, along with 700-foot sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, a historic railroad depot, and the world's largest concentration of Joshua trees at Cima Dome. With only 500,000 visitors annually, the preserve feels genuinely remote. Roads are rougher, services sparser, and the desert silence intact. This is not a manicured national park experience. It is the California desert as it existed before Instagram discovered Joshua Tree.
Who Should Choose Mojave National Preserve
Solitude seekers
The preserve is vast and uncrowded. It is possible to camp without seeing another person.
Sand dune enthusiasts
Kelso Dunes are among the tallest in California. The hike to the summit is challenging and rewarding.
Desert purists
Less development means more authentic Mojave Desert character.
I-15 and I-40 travelers
The preserve sits between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, accessible from both interstates.
Highlights
What makes Mojave Preserve worth choosing.
Kelso Dunes
700-foot sand dunes that sing when you slide down them. The hike to the summit takes 2-3 hours round trip with no trail - just follow the ridgelines.
Cima Dome
A volcanic dome covered in the world's densest Joshua tree forest. The trees here are larger and more numerous than Joshua Tree National Park.
Kelso Depot
A restored 1924 Union Pacific railroad station that now serves as the preserve's visitor center. Spanish Revival architecture in the middle of nowhere.
Hole-in-the-Wall
Volcanic rock formations with rings to help you climb through narrow slots. A unique geological feature unlike anything at Joshua Tree.
Insider Advice
- The preserve is huge and services are minimal. Fill your gas tank before entering.
- Cell service is nonexistent in most of the preserve. Download maps offline.
- Kelso Depot visitor center has water and restrooms but limited hours. Check before relying on it.
- Many roads are unpaved but passable in regular vehicles. High clearance helps for some areas.
- Spring wildflower blooms can be spectacular in good rain years. The preserve is far less crowded than Joshua Tree during superbloom events.