Mid Hills Campground
Mojave National Preserve — riverside
Location: Barstow, CA, CA
Price: From $20 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (35 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): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/mid-hills-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Remote desert preserve offering peaceful, spread-out camping with excellent night sky views and cooler temperatures at 5,600' elevation. Sites are generally very spaced out with clean facilities.
Wildlife alert: Rattlesnake species present: Northern Mojave Rattlesnake, Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake, and Crotalus pyrrhus. Also black-tailed jackrabbits, kangaroo rats, and raptors including red-tailed hawks.
Insider tips for Mid Hills Campground: Expect washboard road conditions on the approach drive Book early as this is a federal campground with limited 25 sites Bring self-contained RV setup; no hookups available at most sites 8 vault restrooms total (4 pairs) are maintained and clean
Skip Mid Hills Campground if: You need RV hookups (water, electric, sewer not available). You prefer paved road access (washboard road to campground). You require year-round access (seasonal May-October only). You're uncomfortable around rattlesnakes in desert habitat.
Best time to visit Mid Hills Campground: August-September — At 5,600' elevation, temperatures remain moderate even in peak summer (93°F recorded in August at 5pm). Campground operates May through October.. May-June — Spring season within operational window with cooler temperatures before peak heat..
Nearby campgrounds: Hole-In-The-Wall Campground (Barstow, CA), Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground (Barstow, CA), Red Rock Canyon Campground (Red Rock Canyon NCA, NV).
Cell Phone Coverage at Mid Hills Campground
Cell signal at Mid Hills Campground (Barstow, CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
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 entryExpect washboard road conditions on the approach drive
Book early as this is a federal campground with limited 25 sites
Bring self-contained RV setup; no hookups available at most sites
8 vault restrooms total (4 pairs) are maintained and clean
At 5,600' elevation, temperatures remain moderate even in peak summer (93°F recorded in August at 5pm). Campground operates May through October.
Spring season within operational window with cooler temperatures before peak heat.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
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 16 miles and turn left at Wild Horse Canyon Rd. Continue for 2.5 miles to the campground. Roads leading to Mid Hills after Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center are unpaved and not recommended for motorhomes and trailers. From Death Valley and Las Vegas via Interstate 15: From the Kelbaker Road, Cima Road, or Nipton Road entran
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 Mid Hills Campground cost per night?+
What season is Mid Hills Campground open?+
Does Mid Hills Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Mid Hills Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Mid Hills Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Mid Hills Campground?+
What season is Mid Hills Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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