Hole-In-The-Wall Campground

Star3.36
293 reviews
Hole-In-The-Wall Campground
Stargazing

Quick Facts

4,400 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

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Sites

38 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

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WiFi

Opens Mojave National Preserve site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026
Hole-In-The-Wall Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

3.36

Mixed Reviews

Based on 293 reviews

266 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietcleanspacious

"Reviewers overwhelmingly love Hole-in-the-Wall Campground, describing it as beautiful, quiet, remote, and well maintained. Campers highlight the dramatic desert scenery, dark skies, and nearby hiking trails, and many say it’s one of their favorite campgrounds. Amenities are basic but appreciated, and visitors value the sense of isolation and space between sites."

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Campground Map

Hole-In-The-Wall Campground

Hole-In-The-Wall Campground

35.0455, -115.3914

Driving directionsFrom Los Angeles, Barstow, and Joshua Tree via Interstate 40: Exit Essex Road and drive north for 10 miles and turn right at the junction to Black Canyon Road. Continue for 10 miles to Hole-in-the-Wall. The roads are paved until the turn-off into the campground. Cell phone service is unreliable. From Death Valley and Las Vegas via Interstate 15: From the Kelbaker Road, Cima Road, or Nipton Road entrances, make your way to Kelso-Cima Road and turn east onto Cedar Canyon Road. Continue onto Cedar Canyon Road for 6 miles and turn right onto Black Canyon Road for 9 miles.
Accessible via Interstate 40 (Essex Road to Black Canyon Road) and from Interstate 15 via Kelbaker/Cima/Nipton to Kelso-Cima Road then Cedar Canyon Road to Black Canyon Road. Roads are paved until the campground turn-off; many remote park areas require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles.

Best Time to Camp at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground

Summer(Jun-Aug)
2.0 / 5

High Mojave Desert summers are hot; summer is less comfortable for many campers.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Fall offers milder temperatures and strong hiking/stargazing conditions.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring typically brings pleasant weather and good conditions for hiking and stargazing.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.5 / 5
Top 23% in CA

Cool nights and occasional snow reported; reviewers enjoyed winter visits but it's chilly.

Planning Tips

    About Hole-In-The-Wall Campground

    Tucked away at 4,400 feet in the heart of Mojave National Preserve, Hole-in-the-Wall Campground offers an otherworldly desert escape surrounded by dramatic volcanic rock formations. This remote basecamp serves adventurers seeking to explore one of California's most diverse desert landscapes, where ancient geology meets endless hiking opportunities beneath vast Mojave skies.
    The campground comprises 38 campsites that include tent areas and 1–2 vehicle parking spots per site; a dump station and camp hosts in peak season are noted. Specific RV hookups, group sites, cabins, or glamping accommodations are not detailed in the source material.
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    Amenities available

    WiFi
    Dump station
    Fire rings
    Picnic tables
    Vault toilets

    Activities you can enjoy

    The preserve offers extensive opportunities for hiking, off-road driving on 4WD routes, scenic exploration, and wildlife/bird watching. Popular nearby attractions and trails include Kelso Dunes, Rings Loop, Barber Peak, Lava Tube, and Teutonia Peak, and visitors can explore historic routes such as the Mojave Road (street-legal vehicles) and other high-clearance 4WD roads.
    HikingMany hikes are available ranging from short loops to longer excursions; highlights include Rings Loop (1.5 miles, with metal rings in the rock), Kelso Dunes, Barber Peak loop, Lava Tube access (high-clearance vehicle recommended), and Teutonia Peak.
    Wildlife viewingThe preserve supports diverse plant and animal life, world’s largest Joshua tree forest near Cima Dome, seasonal wildflower blooms, and birding opportunities such as at Zzyzx (pond) noted for birding.
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    Policies & Safety

    Hazards & AlertsRemote location with unreliable cell phone service; many park areas and routes require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles. Some areas have experienced recent fire (Teutonia Peak area burned in August 2020). Mines are hazardous — do not enter.

    Weather at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground

    Reviews

    3.4
    293 reviews
    Mixed Reviews
    Mixed Reviews
    Hole-In-The-Wall Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Reviewers overwhelmingly love Hole-in-the-Wall Campground, describing it as beautiful, quiet, remote, and well maintained. Campers highlight the dramatic desert scenery, dark skies, and nearby hiking trails, and many say it’s one of their favorite campgrounds. Amenities are basic but appreciated, and visitors value the sense of isolation and space between sites.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 293 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Campers consistently praise the stunning desert views, starry night skies, and overall beauty of the Mojave Preserve setting. They like the quiet, remote feel with minimal people, spacious sites, and...
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    Based on 293 reviews

    Common Concerns

    There are very few complaints in these reviews. One tent camper mentioned a neighboring RV running a generator and playing music late into the night, affecting the sense of quiet. Another noted that...
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    Based on 293 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Several reviewers stress bringing plenty of supplies (gas, propane, wood, food, and water) because the campground is “crazy far from services.” RV users report that sites can accommodate larger rigs...
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    Based on 293 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    "If you're looking for isolation and a good camping site, this is it. Nice space between sites, clean but desert dusty, and very open on weekdays." "Beautiful, remote campground with hiking trails....
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    Based on 293 reviews

    Site-Specific Reviews

    One reviewer specifically mentioned tent camping at site #11 in February, describing it as a very beautiful camp and surrounding area but noting noise from a neighboring RV’s generator and music late...
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    Based on 293 reviews

    Pet-Friendly Features

    One reviewer notes that the Rings Trail is fun and likely enjoyable for kids but "probably the least friendly to dogs" because it involves a bit of climbing, even though aids are provided to make it...
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    Based on 293 reviews

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    Last updated February 2, 2026
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