Hole-in-the-Wall Road

Hole-in-the-Wall Road winds through some of the Mojave’s most striking volcanic terrain, where ancient lava flows created the bizarre rock formations that gave this route its name. The 20-mile dirt road connects the Hole-in-the-Wall Campground to the Mid Hills area of Mojave National Preserve, threading between towering Joshua trees and navigating washes carved through rhyolite cliffs that glow orange at sunset. The road’s highlight comes at the actual Hole-in-the-Wall formation, where Swiss-cheese volcanic rock creates natural windows and caves that early travelers used for shelter during desert crossings.

This is moderate-difficulty desert driving that requires high-clearance 4WD for rocky sections and loose sand through the washes, though stock trucks can handle most of the route with careful driving. Spring and fall offer the best conditions when desert temperatures stay reasonable, while summer heat makes this a dangerous proposition without serious water reserves. No permits needed, and dispersed camping opportunities abound among the Joshua trees. What you get: access to pristine Mojave wilderness where you can camp under stars so bright they hurt your eyes, plus geology lessons written in volcanic rock.