Is Mid-Hills Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Mid-Hills Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Mid-Hills Campground before I book?

Yes! Mid-Hills Campground has 9 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Mid-Hills Campground?

Mid-Hills Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Mid-Hills Campground have?

Mid-Hills Campground has 26 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Mid-Hills Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Mid-Hills Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Mid-Hills Campground?

Mid-Hills Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Mid-Hills Campground

4.03

32 reviews

P.O. Box 56, Essex, CA, 92332, USA

Top 11% in CAFall

Stargazing

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds California

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

5,600 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

26 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

5,600 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

26 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Mid-Hills Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

MOJA_Superintendent@nps.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

P.O. Box 56, Essex, CA, 92332, USA

Mid-Hills Campground

P.O. Box 56, Essex, CA, 92332, USA

Nearby places

Essex, CA: Approximately 10 miles away (location of nearest contact station at Hole-in-the-Wall).

Weather at Mid-Hills Campground

Best Time to Camp at Mid-Hills Campground

Best season: fall. Fall delivers the most comfortable weather and the clearest hiking days — expect daytime highs roughly in the mid-60s to low-70s°F and crisp nights in the 30s–40s°F at 5,600 ft. Cooler temperatures make longer hikes and wildlife viewing much more pleasant, and the pinyon-juniper landscape has excellent late-season color contrasts without the heat of summer. Crowds are typically low to moderate, so you can enjoy quieter campsites and better stargazing after sundown. Peak months: October, September, April, May

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 11% in CA

Fall described as most comfortable: mid-60s to low-70s days and 30s–40s nights for hiking.

Planning Tips

About Mid-Hills Campground

Mid-Hills Campground sits at 5,600 feet in Mojave National Preserve's pinyon-juniper woodland, 20 miles from Essex via a rough dirt road. The National Park Service operates this small, primitive site known for dark skies and seclusion. Visitors come for hiking, stargazing, and escape from crowds, though the access road requires high clearance and the campground has no water.

Mid-Hills Campground offers primitive camping, primarily catering to tent campers and smaller vehicles. Sites are not reservable and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall delivers the most comfortable weather and the clearest hiking days — expect daytime highs roughly in the mid-60s to low-70s°F and crisp nights in the 30s–40s°F at 5,600 ft. Cooler temperatures make longer hikes and wildlife viewing much more pleasant, and the pinyon-juniper landscape has excellent late-season color contrasts without the heat of summer. Crowds are typically low to moderate, so you can enjoy quieter campsites and better stargazing after sundown. Peak months: October, September, April, May

Elevation5600 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies high desert terrain where volcanic formations, limestone peaks, and granite mountains converge. Pinyon pines and junipers dot the landscape, some bearing scars from the 2005 Hackberry Fire. The elevated position opens up views across the preserve's diverse geology. At night, the skies are exceptional. Reviewers mention stellar stargazing, and the lack of light pollution makes the Milky Way visible on clear nights. Wind moves through the pines regularly, sometimes strong enough to require heavy-duty tent stakes.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no hotel-style lodges at this campground, as indicated in both user reviews and official documentation.

Programs & ActivitiesThere is no mention of cultural or educational programs in the authoritative content or user reviews.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site SizeThe campsites are described as large and spacious. One review stated, 'The spaces are large and have plenty of privacy from other campers.

PrivacyThe campsites offer good privacy due to being spread out. A reviewer noted, 'The camping spots are spread out giving you some privacy.

Total Campsites26 campsites

Recommended SitesSites on top of the hill are recommended for the best views, according to user reviews.

Amenities available

Mid-Hills Campground is a secluded site located in Mojave National Preserve. The campground offers a peaceful environment with 26 campsites, some of which are surrounded by pinyon pine and juniper trees that survived the 2005 Hackberry Fire. Lack of on-site water availability and a remote location make it necessary for visitors to come prepared. The campsites include fire pits/grates and picnic tables, and the campground is noted for its serene environment and stellar night skies.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The Mid-Hills Campground offers a variety of activities suitable for nature enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy stellar night skies, hiking, and exploring nearby desert and forest environments.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.0

32 reviews

Satisfactory

Mid-Hills Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Campers consistently praise the quiet and secluded nature of Mid-Hills Campground. The lack of water and poor road conditions are common complaints. Despite these challenges, users highlight the stellar skies and spacious campsites as major draws.

Review Summaries

Based on 32 reviews

What Campers Love

Secluded and peaceful campsites, beautiful night skies, clean bathroom facilities, and respectful fellow campers.

Based on 32 reviews

Common Concerns

No water availability on-site, rough and steep access roads, lack of cell phone service, and exposure to winds.

Based on 32 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Multiple users mentioned that the best campsites are located on top of the hill, offering better views and privacy.

Based on 32 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own firewood and plenty of water, as these are not available on-site. Use heavy-duty tent stakes to stabilize tents due to potential high winds. Travel in a vehicle suited for unpaved...

Based on 32 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Visitors recommend camping during cooler months due to the desert setting. Reviews frequently highlight the pleasant weather at 5,600 feet elevation compared to the hotter desert floor.

Based on 32 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Very very quiet and peaceful. Has fire pits/grates and a picnic table. Views of the sky were stellar.' - Keiana Lopez 2. 'The camping spots are spread out giving you some privacy. It also has...

Based on 32 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically addressing accessibility features were provided.

Based on 32 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want solitude under star-filled skies and have a high-clearance vehicle for the access road.

Skip if

You need running water, paved access, or protection from wind.

Nearby Campgrounds

Mojave National Preserve

Mid Hills Campground sits at 5,600 feet in Mojave National Preserve, tucked beneath pinyon pine and juniper that survived the 2005 Hackberry Fire. The campground draws visitors looking for solitude and dark skies, with sites scattered across both wooded and open terrain. No water is available on site, and the unpaved access roads require careful driving.

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Campgrounds

Mojave National Preserve

Mid-Hills Campground

About Mojave National Preserve

Context for the broader area surrounding Mid-Hills Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Mojave preserves a diverse mosaic of ecological habitats and a 10,000 year history of human connection with the desert. Offering extensive opportunities to experience desert landscapes, the preserve promotes understanding and appreciation for the increasingly threatened resources of the Mojave Desert. This remote preserve encourages a sense of discovery and a connection to wild places.

Directions

Note: There is no fuel inside the Preserve. Please fill up with gas BEFORE you enter. Park headquarters in Barstow, California is 60 miles from the Preserve, and offers maps, a bookstore and information. Our main visitor center, Kelso Depot, is located inside the Preserve, 95 miles east of Barstow, and 90 miles west of Las Vegas, at the intersection of Kelso-Cima and Kelbaker Roads.