Pisgah Crater Volcanic Cinder Cone

Pisgah Crater rises 300 feet above the surrounding Mojave Desert, a perfectly formed volcanic cinder cone created by relatively recent eruptions. The black basaltic lava flows surrounding the crater create an otherworldly landscape that contrasts sharply with the typical desert scrub. You can see the crater clearly from several points along the Mojave Road, and a rough 4WD track leads to the base for closer exploration.

The area is managed by BLM and accessible year-round, though summer temperatures make visits brutal. No water or facilities exist here — it’s raw desert volcanic terrain. The lava field extends for miles and makes for interesting exploration on foot, but bring plenty of water and watch for rattlesnakes in the rock crevices.

Recent volcanic crater in the Mojave Desert