Hole-in-the-wall Campground
Open — Open year-round with reservations required for all sites. Currently accepting reservations at $25 per night. Fire restrictions are in place: wood and charcoal fires prohibited, camp stoves permitted.
Kelso Depot Visitor Center Closed
Kelso Depot Visitor Center is closed for rehabilitation of the heating and cooling system. We expect to reopen the depot in 2026. The restrooms beside the depot are open.
Delays up to 1 hour are possible at Kelbaker Road Railroad Crossing near Kelso Depot
In the event there are train siding operations at the crossing near Kelso Depot, delays may be up to one hour. Please plan accordingly for this possibility with extra fuel and drinking water. Union Pacific Contact: 1 800 848-8715
Rough and Damaged Roads
Drive slowly and exercise due caution when driving in Mojave National Preserve. Rough and damaged roads exist on both paved and unpaved roads. Watch for potholes. Aiken Mine Rd. is now 4WD only due to soft sand and mudholes. Rocks and debris on Zzyzx Rd.
Fire restrictions in place
Fire restrictions are in place at Mojave National Preserve and Castle Mountains National Monument. Wood and charcoal fires are not permitted. Most camp stoves are. See fire restriction order for additional restrictions and details.
Use Caution on Roads with Debris
Flooding has resulted in debris along Cima Road as well as shoulders being washed out. Please use caution when driving and watch for road crews at work. Be aware that unimproved and dirt roads may be impassible due to washouts, so plan accordingly.
About
Hole-in-the-Wall Campground sits at 4,400 feet elevation in the heart of Mojave National Preserve, surrounded by dramatic sculptured volcanic rock walls that give the area its distinctive character. The campground offers 38 sites, including 35 standard sites that accommodate both RVs and tents, plus 2 walk-in tent sites. Most sites can handle RVs and trailers up to 30 feet, with 2 pull-through sites accommodating longer rigs. The campground serves as an ideal base camp for exploring the preserve's diverse desert landscapes. Popular nearby hikes include the 1.5-mile Rings Loop Trail, where hikers use metal rings mounted in the rock to navigate narrow Banshee Canyon, and the Barber Peak loop trail that encircles the peak just west of the campground. The campground also provides access to the world's largest Joshua tree forest around Cima Dome, Kelso Dunes, and the Lava Tube. Each campsite features a picnic table, fire ring, and tent area with parking for 1-2 vehicles. Water spigots and vault toilets are distributed throughout the campground, and a dump station is available. Camp hosts are typically present during peak seasons. Free WiFi is available 24/7 at the nearby Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center. At this elevation, the campground offers a respite from summer heat at lower elevations, though late summer can bring strong monsoonal storms. Winter brings freezing temperatures and occasional snow.
Directions
From Interstate 40 (Los Angeles, Barstow, Joshua Tree): Exit Essex Road and drive north 10 miles, turn right at Black Canyon Road junction, continue 10 miles to Hole-in-the-Wall. Roads are paved until campground turn-off. From Interstate 15 (Death Valley, Las Vegas): Take Kelbaker Road, Cima Road, or Nipton Road to Kelso-Cima Road, turn east onto Cedar Canyon Road for 6 miles, turn right onto Black Canyon Road for 9 miles. Cell phone service is unreliable.
Nearby Campgrounds
- Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground 0.5mi
- Mid Hills Campground 5.9mi
- Providence Mountains Sra Campground 9.8mi
- Big Bend Of The Colorado State Recreation Area Campground 42mi
- Cottonwood Cove Rv Park 50mi
- Katherine Landing Rv Park 48mi
- Katherine Landing Campground 49mi
- Big Pine Flat 61mi
- Spring Mountain Ranch State Park Group Campground 71mi
Location
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | No |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $25 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 30ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 30ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| moja_campgrounds@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (760) 252-6100 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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