National Preserve · California
Mojave National Preserve
Singing dunes, cinder cones & Joshua tree forests
TypeNational Preserve
StateCalifornia
Best seasonFall through spring
Don’t missKelso Dunes
A million and a half acres of quiet desert between the LA–Vegas freeways — the booming Kelso Dunes, lava cinder cones, and the densest Joshua tree forest anywhere. Empty, dark-skied, and wonderfully strange.
What to see
- Kelso Dunes
- Cinder Cone lava beds
- Cima Dome Joshua trees
- Kelso Depot
- Hole-in-the-Wall
On public wild lands, services are sparse and conditions change fast — check the managing agency (Forest Service / BLM / Park Service) for road and seasonal closures, fire restrictions, and any permits before you go, and pack out what you pack in.
Build a trip around wild places like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: