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Mid Hills Campground

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Mid Hills Campground is at an elevation of 5,600 ft, so it provides amazing cool breezes.

It’s also shrouded by pinyon pine and juniper trees for a greener, shadier environment than the surrounding desert. If you’re camping during the hot season, this would be a great retreat for cooler air and a break from the desert sun. The access road isn’t paved though, so don’t try this campground with a motorhome or trailer! In spite of a fire in 2005, there are still 13 beautiful campsites here, equipped with pit toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Set up camp here in the mountains for a chiller, more panoramic view of the preserve!

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8 ratings · 2 reviews

Phillip B.recommends

October 13, 2020

I usually like to start or end my long road trips with a quick over night in Mid Hills Campground because of the secluded nature of it. It does have water and toilets so that a plus for being such a remote campground. The main perk for me is the lack of light pollution, so you can see so many stars on a clear night.

Kristina F.

May 31, 2016

Mojave National Preserve is on of my favorite national parks! Mid Hills is an awesome campground as it's for tents only, is in the high desert (which means cooler temps and trees for shade). It's $12/night and is first come first served, but rarely fills up (holiday weekends are a little bit of a gamble, so be sure to get there on Friday evening). There is potable water spigots and vault toilets making this a great basecamp in the Mojave for all your adventures. The park is very spread out in terms of things to do, but there are some very unique places to see including the Kelso Dunes (45 min drive), the lava tube (1 hr drive from MH and partly on an unmarked 4x4 road), and Teutonia Peak trail (1 hr drive) in a lush desert landscape.

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Your guide to camping in Mid Hills Campground

Overview

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!