Hole In The Wall Campground ~ Mojave National Preserve

The Hole In The Wall Campground is easy to access from Interstate Highway 40 just west of Needles, California. The Essex exit is the one to look for and the solitary road heading north is a key access point for exploring the vast Mojave National Preserve, which is one of the newest National Parks. The Providence Mountains State Recreation Site access point is also located along this road next to the National Park, which definitely adds to the charm. The desert landscape meets the mountains in this region, so the long drive into this park will present plenty of panoramic views that are worth stopping to take in. After turning onto Black Canyon Road, the fun really begins, because this is where the National Park Hole In The Wall Welcome Center can be found and two cozy campgrounds are located next door. 

At the rustic old west style Hole In The Wall visitor complex, plenty of information can be found pertaining to hiking trails, horse trails and 4x4 trails in the local area, which all add up to plenty of opportunities to explore this amazing desert environment. The Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground is located next to the park fire station, while the Hole In The Wall Campground is right across the dirt road. This campground is medium size and it conforms to modern standards with well maintained RV and tent pads complete with fire pits, chargrills and picnic tables. The campground setting is in a natural cove at the base of eroded volcanic outcrops which beckon to be experienced and some of the most popular foot trails run through this area. There is a weak cel data signal that is fairly reliable, so catching up on communications is possible to do. The Hole In The Wall wilderness area is a photographers paradise, so be sure to pack a camera for the trails. This end of the Mojave National Preserve does have dark night skies, but there is some city glow from Needles and Las Vegas on the horizon, which can add a nice touch to a sunset photo.  

The cool. weather seasons are practically the only option for camping at the Hole In The Wall, simply because there is no relief fom the triple digit summertime heat in this region. In fact, this campground practically sits empty till the winter snowbird tourists arrive and even then there are usually a few open spots to be found. No reservations are needed, since this is a first come-first serve campground and the fees actually are reasonable when compared to the rest of the state. Winter can bring unexpected bad weather conditions and as can be seen in the photos, it actually does snow in the Mojave Desert, so be sure to pack some warm clothing. The winter daytime temperatures are nearly always perfect for hiking, so be sure to keep this scenic area in mind when planning a venture into the Mojave National Preserve!
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