Mojave Road — Afton Canyon to Rock Springs via Soda Lake and Government Holes
138 miles of wagon-track desert. Bring water. Lots of it.
The Mojave Road is the oldest overland route through the central Mojave Desert — used by Native Americans, Spanish missionaries, Army surveyors, and emigrant wagon trains long before anyone called it a 4×4 trail. The western segment picks up at Afton Canyon, where the Mojave River briefly breaks surface in a genuine riparian canyon, then pushes east across the Soda Lake playa — a blinding white alkali flat best crossed early morning before wind builds — through the Government Holes water stop that kept 19th-century travellers alive, and out across the Lanfair Valley to Rock Springs. The Friends of the Mojave Road publish a detailed route guide with GPS waypoints; carry it.
This is a long desert crossing — rated moderate but the Mojave is unforgiving. High-clearance 4WD handles it under normal conditions; sand tyres help on the playa and in the Lanfair Valley’s soft sections. Carry at least 5 gallons of water per person. No fuel between Barstow and Needles — tank up fully. Cell service is non-existent for most of the route. The BLM Needles Field Office manages the eastern end; West Mojave Plan area covers the rest. Best season is October through April; summer temperatures exceed 115°F and people die out here. Dispersed camping along the route is permitted within BLM rules.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 138 mi / 222 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4308 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Barstow, California |
| Land manager | BLM — Barstow Field Office / Needles Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Afton Canyon BLM Needles Field Office |
| 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 handle the Mojave Road, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner can run this trail. You don't need a lift, but you do need low-range, decent all-terrain tires, and a shovel — the sand sections near Soda Lake will swallow street tires and underpowered rigs without warning.
What time of year should I avoid this trail?
Skip May through September — daytime temps regularly exceed 110°F and can kill you faster than any obstacle on the trail. October through April is the window; even then, check forecasts because a rare rainstorm can turn Soda Lake into an impassable mudflat overnight.
Do I need a permit to drive the Mojave Road?
No permit is required to drive the route. It crosses BLM land managed by both the Barstow and Needles field offices, and camping is dispersed and free. Keep your stay to 14 days or fewer per location per BLM rules.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I actually expect there?
The Soda Lake crossing is where people get into trouble — it's a dry lake bed that looks flat and firm but hides soft sand that'll bog you fast. Airing down to 15–18 PSI before you hit it is not optional, and if there's been any recent rain, find an alternate route or wait it out.
There's zero cell service for 138 miles — how do people handle water and fuel on this route?
There is no water on trail and no services between Barstow and Needles — plan on carrying a minimum of 2 gallons per person per day plus extra for your radiator. Fuel range matters too: the route is 138 miles of slow going, so top off in Barstow before you drop in and confirm your rig can cover that distance in low-range conditions.
Trail track
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