Hole-in-the-Wall Road — Mid Hills to Wildhorse Canyon via Black Canyon Wash
Volcanic desert bench between two iconic camps.
Mid Hills Campground sits at 5,600 feet in the pinyon-juniper highlands of Mojave National Preserve — already a world away from the interstate corridor below. The road south drops off the mesa edge into Black Canyon Wash, threading through a corridor of volcanic boulders before emerging at the Hole-in-the-Wall information center and its famous iron ring descent into the rincon below. Side washes off this route hold enough loose cobble and embedded granite shelf to ground a stock pickup on a bad line. The formations at Hole-in-the-Wall are remnants of a 18-million-year-old rhyolitic eruption — the geology alone is worth the drive.
This is a solid High Clearance run with some Moderate 4×4 sections in the wash bottoms. A stock high-clearance 4×4 handles it fine in dry conditions; rain turns the clay flats into grease and the wash crossings into gambles. No permit required. Water is available seasonally at the Hole-in-the-Wall visitor facility — call ahead. Dispersed camping is permitted across much of the preserve with a free self-registration. Best run October through April; summer temperatures routinely crack 110°F on the desert floor. Cell service is nonexistent between the two campgrounds.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 11 mi / 17.7 km |
| Duration | Half day to 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5600 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock high-clearance 4x4 |
| Nearest town | Essex, CA |
| Land manager | National Park Service — Mojave National Preserve |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | nps.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail without modifications?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4x4 is the minimum and handles it fine. Lifted rigs aren't required, but low-clearance vehicles like stock SUVs or crossovers will drag on the rockier sections through Black Canyon Wash.
When is this trail actually open and drivable?
October through April is the sweet spot — cooler temps and dry conditions. Summer heat in the Mojave routinely tops 110°F and can boil coolant fast; the NPS doesn't close the trail, but summer runs are genuinely dangerous.
Do you need a permit to drive or camp here?
No permit required to drive the trail. Dispersed camping in Mojave National Preserve is free and allowed, but you must camp at least 200 feet from the road and water sources, and no more than 14 days in one spot.
What's the hardest part of the trail and what should I expect?
Black Canyon Wash is the crux — loose sand, embedded rock, and wash crossings that can catch you off guard after rain. Nothing technical enough to require a locker in dry conditions, but it demands attention and decent tire choice.
Is there any water or cell service along this route?
Zero cell service the entire run — plan accordingly and file a trip plan with someone before you head in. There's no reliable water source on the trail itself; tank up fully in Essex or Baker before entering the preserve.
Trail track
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