Midhills Campground•Mojave National Preserve

00:00     Titile
00:14     Hole In The Wall Campground
05:12     Midhills Campground
10:16     Kelso Station
13:56     Kelso Dunes
17:04     Fin​
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The Mid Hills region of the Mojave National Preserve is by far one of the most picturesque desert landscapes in the southwest and it definitely is a great place to camp. The terrain is composed of volcanic peaks, eroded massive boulder outcrops and sagebrush covered rolling hills that extend as far as the eyes can see. Those who have experienced Joshua Tree National Park will find that the Mid Hills area looks similar, but the best part is there are no large crowds to contend with. There is nothing but the wide open spaces and the dead silence of the desert, which is perfect for regaining some peace of mind while exploring this intriguing natural area.

The Mid Hills or Midhills spelling of the campground differs between maps and the official signage, but it is the same place. This developed campground is centrally located in the Mojave Preserve and this is a very remote area, so stocking up on food, water and fuel will be necessary before setting sail. Upon arrival, a visitor will find an information kiosk that details the foot trails and key points of interest in this region. The fees and regulations are also posted, which include seasonal fire restrictions that are good to know. The Mid Hills Campground is well maintained and each campsite offers a fire pit grill with a picnic table. The size of the campsite pads vary and some are large enough for small trailers or RV campers, while the tent and car campers will find plenty of cozy spots too.

As can be seen in the photos, the Mojave Desert can become a winter wonderland after a cold front passes through, so packing more than shorts and a t-shirt will be necessary this time of year. Firewood can be found for sale locally in Needles or Barstow, California, which will come in handy because the temperatures plummet shortly after sundown. As can be imagined, braving the chilly cool weather when camping at Mid Hills is the best way to go, because the triple digit summer temperatures are boiling hot and the experience will be far from pleasant. As far as winter camping is concerned, there are few places better than the Mid Hills Campground in the entire west!