NPS · Mojave National Preserve · Barstow, CA

Hole-In-The-Wall Campground

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. At 4,400 feet in elevation, Hole-in-the-Wall Campground is surrounded by sculptured volcanic rock walls and makes a great base camp for hikers.

More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Hole in the Wall viewA photo of Hole-in-the-Wall Campground with SitesA photo overlooking Hole-in-the-Wall CampgroundA photo of Hole-in-the-Wall Campground
Photos courtesy of Matthew Clausen · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups35
Hike-in2
Host/management1
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

37 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadeWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFiresRating
2StandardBack-in25GravelNoneNo / –8 / 2YesStandard
3StandardBack-in25GravelNoneNo / –8 / 2YesStandard
4StandardBack-in25GravelNoneNo / –8 / 2YesStandard
5StandardBack-in25GravelNoneNo / –8 / 2YesStandard
6StandardBack-in25GravelNoneNo / –8 / 2YesStandard
7StandardPull-through30GravelNoneNo / –8 / 2YesStandard
8StandardBack-in25GravelNoneNo / –8 / 2YesStandard
9StandardBack-in25GravelNoneNo / –8 / 2YesStandard
10StandardBack-in25GravelNoneNo / –8 / 2YesStandard
11StandardBack-in25GravelNoneNo / –8 / 2YesStandard

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 01:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length30 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions

Hole-in-the-Wall has 38 campsites. Each campsite contains 1-2 vehicle parking spots, picnic table, fire ring, and tent area. Water spigots and vault toilets are available around the campground. Camp hosts are typically present in the peak season months. A dump station is available for campers. Free WiFi is available 24/7 at the Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Hole-In-The-Wall Campground40°50°60°70°80°90°January: 1.27 inches of precipitationFebruary: 1.84 inches of precipitationMarch: 1.58 inches of precipitationApril: 0.61 inches of precipitationMay: 0.16 inches of precipitationJune: 0.05 inches of precipitationJuly: 1.08 inches of precipitationAugust: 0.60 inches of precipitationSeptember: 0.70 inches of precipitationOctober: 0.57 inches of precipitationNovember: 0.50 inches of precipitationDecember: 1.63 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 47.0°F averageFebruary: 48.3°F averageMarch: 53.3°F averageApril: 58.8°F averageMay: 67.7°F averageJune: 78.0°F averageJuly: 82.6°F averageAugust: 81.6°F averageSeptember: 76.4°F averageOctober: 65.1°F averageNovember: 54.6°F averageDecember: 46.4°F average0 in0.5 in1 in1.5 in2 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Mitchell Caverns, 11 miles from the campground at 4,350 feet, station USC00045721 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 11 inches a year.

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.

Nearest townBarstow, California
Coordinates35.0455° N, 115.3914° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗0.1 mi
RV sales & serviceRV sales & service ↗45 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

CAMPGROUND REVIEW~ Hole in the Wall~ Mojave National Preserve 🏕️

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Mojave Trails National Monument.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Three of the four major North American deserts are found at Mojave National Preserve: the Mojave, Great Basin, and Sonoran. Dozens of seeps and springs coupled with varied elevations and soil types create microhabitats that support a diversity of plant and animal life. Cactus gardens, relict plant communities of white fir and chaparral and the densest, largest Joshua tree forest are all found here. Geologically, the region is just as diverse as it is ecologically. Mountain ranges, dry riverbeds, great mesas, towering sand dunes, striking cinders cones, domes and lava flows define Mojave. Ancient rocks that date back to 2.5 billion years old have been discovered in the Clark Mountains. Set out to search for the blooms across the preserve: Wildflowers Visit the world’s largest Joshua Tree forest around the Cima Dome area.

Recreation

There are over 1.6 million acres to explore. The popular main attractions are accessible by paved and unpaved roads and more remote areas of the park will require a high clearance, 4WD vehicle. Check out the must see highlights: Mojave National Preserve Must See Highlights Explore the preserve off the beaten path! Take your street legal vehicle along the historic Mojave Road or visit the multitude of canyons and mining roads. Be sure to have high clearance and 4WD. Do not enter mines. 4WD Routes Mojave offers many hikes to choose! Hiking Visit Zzyzx and learn about its history. It is also a great birding location due to its pond.

Nearby

Popular Hikes: Kelso Dunes - Hike to the top of our most popular sand dune! Rings Loop – 1.5 miles, Discover how Hole-in-the-Wall got its name as you ascend narrow Banshee Canyon with the help of metal rings mounted in the rock. Barber Peak - This loop trail encircles Barber Peak just west of Hole-in-the-Wall Campground. Lava Tube - Explore an underground wonder! High clearance vehicle recommended. Teutonia Peak - A mixed Joshua tree forest and Joshua tree graveyard beckon en route to a rocky peak with expansive views of Cima Dome and beyond! This area burned in August 2020.

Guidebooks for California

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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground?

Sites at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground?

Check-in 01:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Hole-In-The-Wall Campground have?

38 sites, including 35 standard sites without power and 2 hike-in sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground?

The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are there showers or a dump station at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground?

A dump station is available for campers.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Hole-In-The-Wall Campground?

There are over 1.6 million acres to explore. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Hole-In-The-Wall Campground?

Barstow, California. Popular Hikes: Kelso Dunes - Hike to the top of our most popular sand dune!

Source: Getting there

What if Hole-In-The-Wall Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground (0.5 mi), Mid Hills Campground (5.9 mi), and Katherine Landing RV Park (48.4 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby

Which national park is Hole-In-The-Wall Campground in?

Hole-In-The-Wall Campground is a Mojave National Preserve campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.

Source: Mojave National Preserve