Mojave National Preserve (nps.gov) has a varying landscape of volcano cones, mountain peaks and canyons. The preserve has two primitive campgrounds for tents or RVs, but the campgrounds have limited facilities and no hookups. An equestrian campground is shared by horsemen and large groups. The National Park Service allows roadside camping as long as you use an established spot -- this practice protects the desert’s fragile ecology. Mojave National Preserve has 700,000 acres of designated wilderness open to backpacking campers. A permit is not required, but campers are asked to use existing sites. The desert backcountry presents some challenges, so campers should carry a good map and be aware of the dangers, like sudden floods in previously dry washes.
Intrepid backcountry campers take on the intense challenges of Death Valley National Park (nps.gov) if they pitch a tent on its more than 3 million acres of stark wilderness. Campers must set up in a previously used area more than two miles from a paved road or day-use area, 100 yards from water and away from the historic mines. Nine developed campgrounds have primitive facilities. Four charge no fee, and two have no bathroom facilities. None of the campgrounds in Death Valley National Park operated by the National Park Service have hookups, but a concessionaire in Stovepipe Wells Village on Highway 190 has a small RV park with full hookups.
The Mojave and Colorado deserts meet in Joshua Tree National Park (nps.gov), an area of more than 700,000 acres of creosote bushes, oases and the trees that Mormon pioneers named for a prophet. The park has nine developed campgrounds at elevations ranging from 3,000 feet to 4,500 feet. Two of the campgrounds have potable water and dump stations. Backcountry campers must register at one of 13 registration boards scattered throughout the park before hiking into Joshua Tree’s 585,000 acres of wilderness. Campers must set up camp more than 500 feet from trails or water and one mile from the road. Two Bureau of Land Management primitive camping areas suitable for RVs or tents are adjacent to the park.
Major cities in the Mojave Desert, like Barstow and Twentynine Palms in California; Las Vegas, and Kingman, Arizona, have commercial campgrounds for campers who prefer more amenities. Twentynine Palms Resort (29palmsgolfresort.com) has a golf course, tennis courts, an indoor pool and hot tub and fitness center. Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort (oasislasvegasrvresort.com), just south of the Strip, has an 18-hole putting course, swimming pool and spa, an on-site fitness center and landscaped, full hookup sites. Barstow Calico KOA (barstowcalicokoa.com) has large, pull-through sites for RVs, tent sites, a heated pool, Wi-Fi and an archery range. RV owners traveling with their horses can use the “horse motel” at Blake Ranch RV Park (blakeranchrv.com) in Kingman.
