Mojave National Preserve — Government Holes Road Dispersed Camp
Government Holes is one of the known water sources along the old Mojave Road, and the surrounding BLM-administered ground inside Mojave National Preserve opens up for dispersed camping along the two-track corridors east of Kelso. You’re parking in classic Mojave basin country — creosote flats, rocky bajada edges, wide-open sky. No facilities, no fee, no ranger hovering over you. Campfires are typically prohibited in the preserve, so bring a stove. Cell service is effectively zero out here. It’s quiet in a way that reminds you why people run this route.
Access is via the Mojave Road itself — a 4WD route that crosses sand washes, requires some route-finding, and will challenge stock rigs in the deep sand sections. Best season is October through April; summer heat is genuinely dangerous. Stay limit is 14 days. Check current fire and closure orders with the Mojave National Preserve Visitor Center in Barstow before you roll.
Old Mojave Road water stop — camp the desert flat.
Place Details
| Type | Dispersed Camping |
|---|---|
| Elevation (ft) | 2480 ft |
| Nearest town | Baker, CA |
| Miles from pavement | 18 mi |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD |
| Access road surface | Sand |
| Cell service | None |
| Cost (USD/night, 0 = free) | Free |
| Reservation required | No |
| Stay limit (nights) | 14 nights |
| Best season | October-April |
| Land manager | NPS |
| Permit required | No |
| Coordinates | Open directions |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |