Hole-In-The-Wall Campground
Mojave National Preserve — riverside
Location: Barstow, CA, CA
Price: From $25 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (187 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Dump Station, Camp Host
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/hole-in-the-wall-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Hole-In-The-Wall offers stunning desert scenery with sculptured volcanic rock formations at 4,400 feet elevation in Mojave National Preserve. Campers praise the well-kept campground, peaceful atmosphere, and excellent hiking opportunities like the Rings Loop.
Wildlife alert: Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake and Agassiz's Desert Tortoise present in area. Also expect Black-tailed Jackrabbits, Prairie Falcons, Red-tailed Hawks, Mountain Bluebirds, and Cactus Wrens.
Insider tips for Hole-In-The-Wall Campground: Book early — this is a popular federal campground with limited 37 sites Dump station and water available on-site despite no hookups at most sites Plan for cool temperatures after sunset in this high-elevation desert location
Skip Hole-In-The-Wall Campground if: You need RV hookups — campground has none. You require potable water at your site. You prefer easy access — 10 miles from Black Canyon Road on remote route.
Best time to visit Hole-In-The-Wall Campground: May-October — Official operating season per verified data. Spring (March-April) — Campers report stunning wildflower displays and abundant wildlife in spring 2026.
Nearby campgrounds: Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground (Barstow, CA), Mid Hills Campground (Barstow, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground
Cell signal at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground (Barstow, CA): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground with limited 37 sites
Dump station and water available on-site despite no hookups at most sites
Plan for cool temperatures after sunset in this high-elevation desert location
Official operating season per verified data
Campers report stunning wildflower displays and abundant wildlife in spring 2026
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From 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
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Mojave National Preserve fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Mojave National Preserve before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Hole-In-The-Wall Campground cost per night?+
What season is Hole-In-The-Wall Campground open?+
Does Hole-In-The-Wall Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground?+
What season is Hole-In-The-Wall Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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