Black Canyon Campground

Biking

There are no bike rentals in the park, but if you are a bike enthusiast, feel free to explore the park on your own trusty stead! Be sure to bring lots (seriously, lots) of water and consult a map first. Stick to paved, marked roads in the park; rocky terrain may be unfriendly to bike tires so it’s mainly road-biking in Mojave. We wouldn’t recommend this during the hot summer months; November to February usually boast the best bike tour conditions. Here are some shorter bike loops in the area if you’re a beginner biker. This park also tends to attract those eager for week-long bike tours, so if that’s your thing, check out where other folks have traveled in the area. Wherever you end up going, mind signs for designated Wilderness Areas where you can’t bring your bike (no matter how trusty it is).

Hiking

Hiking in Mojave will give you unique views of rocky summits, cacti and Joshua tree-speckled deserts, and sand dunes. Established hiking trails are limited, but there is definitely plenty of hiking to be had in this massive park. For a sweeping view of Cima Dome, check out the popular Teutonia Peak Trai l, about a 3.5 mile round trip through the densest region of Joshua trees (yes, denser than Joshua Tree National Park) in the world. To reach the highest peak in the northeast corner of Mojave, try New York Peak , a 7 mile hike with a car to help, 9 miles without. And while you’re in the desert, you might as well clamber over some sand dunes with the 3 mile hike through Kelso Dunes . While you walk, keep your ears perked up for so-called “singing sand”, a rumbling sound caused by hot surface sand caving into cooler sand below. And of course, on the way down, feel free to slide, jump, or run. The dunes are your playground!

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is allowed in the park, but it’s BYO-Horse, so saddle up before you arrive. In fact, if you have a llama or a mule, you’re permitted to bring them along as well. Some regulations to be aware of: If your group has more than 7 horses, you’ll need to get a Special Use Permit and no ranging or grazing allowed. Horse camps should be at least 200 feet away from any water source as well. Other than that, there aren’t any specific horse trails, so you can just head out there and roam the wild west.

Off-roading (OHV)

The roads in Mojave aren’t all exactly well-paved, so if you’re itching to bounce your four-wheeler around some rugged terrain, you’re in luck. But be sure to stay on existing dirt roads and check out the current road conditions before heading out. And of course, check gas, oil, tires, and the like.

Wildlife watching

Out in Mojave, you can catch a glimpse of a bighorn sheep gracefully leaping up the steep, rocky terrain. You can see jackrabbits clustering near the side of the road at dusk. You can even see (or, more likely hear) the occasional coyote. Reptiles love hanging out in Mojave as well, so be careful of snakes. If you’re into wildflowers, springtime can bring an impressive variety of them, especially if there has been enough rainfall. Check out what’s blooming and plan your visit around sightings of your favorite flowers!