Black Canyon Campground — Mojave National Preserve

Black Canyon sits at around 4,000 feet in the Providence Mountains, giving you a cooler alternative to the low desert floor. It’s a primitive NPS campground — vault toilets, no water, no hookups — with a handful of sites that feel genuinely remote. Fire rings present but check current fire restrictions before you light anything. Capacity is small, so it rarely fills, but spring weekends can see other Mojave Road runners camped nearby. Cell service is essentially nonexistent. Stars out here are ridiculous.

Access is off Essex Road via Black Canyon Road — dirt and rough enough that high-clearance is strongly recommended. The road is passable for capable 2WD in dry conditions but 4WD will serve you better after rain. Seasonal closures are rare but verify with the Mojave Preserve before committing. No water on-site — carry everything you need in.

High desert quiet in the Providence Mountains.