Published Nov. 21, 1999
The Tribune

Park and camping tips

Yucca plants are nearly as abundant as Joshua trees in the preserve Photo by Jerry Bunin

• Hotels: There are no hotels in or near the Mojave National Preserve. The nearest hotels/motels are in Barstow and Needles, about 100 miles east and west the park's main entrances.

• Camping: There are two developed, first-come, first-served campgrounds in the preserve. Hole-In-The-Wall has 35 campsites and Mid-Hills 26. They offer spectacular views of the Gold Valley and Cima Dome.The fee is $10 per night for general and $5 for Golden Age passes. Group campsites are available by calling 760-733-4040 and cost $20 a night. Both campsites are on forested hillsides.

• Entrance Fee: There is no entrance fee for the preserve.

• Information Centers: You can write or visit the following locations for information about the preserve: Mojave National Preserve Headquarters, 222. E. Main St., Suite 202, Barstow, 92311; Mojave National Preserve Baker Information Center, 72157 Baker Boulevard, P.O. Box 241, Baker, 92309; and Mojave National Preserve Needles Information Center, 707 Broadway, Needles, 92363.

  We got lucky and saw a rare desert tortoise hiking across a road one day. We stopped and helped him across. Photo by Jerry Bunin

• Climate: The Mojave is high desert but still hot in the summertime. Daytime temperatures between May and October can reach 120 degrees. Fall and spring are the best seasons to visit, although the evenings are cool. The desert can also be windy and subject to flash floods.

• Location: The preserve is located in The Lonesome Triangle between the intersections of highways 15, 40 and 95, beginning about 60 miles east of Barstow.

• Trails: The undeveloped park is mostly wilderness. There are two official trails - a seven-mile hike between the Hole-In-The-Wall and Mid-Hills campsites and a four-mile roundtrip through a Joshua tree forest to the top of Teutonia Peak on Cima Dome. However, you can hike endlessly in the park.

• Visitor Impacts: Take nothing but pictures. Leave with nothing but memories. And watch for the endangered desert tortoise while driving. If you see one, stop and help him get to the other side of the road. He'll appreciate it.