Summary
There are several good reasons to visit the park, including its stunning desert landscapes, unique geological formations, and abundant wildlife.
Some specific points of interest within the park include the Kelso Dunes, the volcanic cinder cones, and the Joshua tree forests. Visitors can also explore historic mining sites, Native American rock art, and abandoned homesteads.
Interesting facts about the area include that it is home to the world's largest single Joshua tree forest and the longest undeveloped stretch of Route 66. The Mojave National Preserve is also known for its extreme temperatures, with summer highs often exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit and winter lows occasionally dropping below freezing.
The best time of year to visit the park is during the spring or fall when temperatures are milder, and wildflowers are in bloom. However, visitors should be prepared for extreme weather conditions and bring plenty of water and sunscreen no matter what time of year they choose to visit.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References