Mojave National Preserve

Many people visit Mojave in the spring season to view stunning wildflower displays.
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.
Map showing location of park.
McPadden photo 1
Ray McPadden selected as superintendent of Mojave National Preserve
SAN FRANCISCO – The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Ray McPadden to serve as the superintendent of Mojave National Preserve in Kelso, Calif., starting July 28, 2024.
Kelso Dunes with rays of light coming through the clouds. Mountains in the background..
Photo by NPS
Spring wildflowers carpeting the desert floor
Photo by NPS Photo
A desert tortoise rest in the shade of a bush near some hikers
Photo by NPS Photo
A lonely desert trail leads to tall sand dunes
Photo by NPS Photo
A man standing on a mountain peak in front of a wide desert landscape
Photo by NPS Photo
A Joshua tree seen though the window of an old miner's cabin
Photo by NPS Photo
Kelso Dunes with rays of light coming through the clouds. Mountains in the background..
Photo by NPS