Mojave Road — Barstow to Needles via Government Holes and Piute Gorge (Full Historic Crossing)
138 miles of Old West history across the Mojave.
The complete Mojave Road — the Old Government Road used by the U.S. Army and Desert Cahuilla people long before that — runs roughly 138 miles from Afton Canyon near Barstow east to Needles, crossing the heart of the Mojave National Preserve. The route threads Afton Canyon’s badlands walls (the only place the Mojave River surfaces), crosses Soda Dry Lake, climbs through Kelso Dunes country, threads Government Holes (hand-dug water wells from the 1860s), squeezes through the black basalt rubble of Piute Gorge, and finishes at Fort Piute, a crumbling stone army outpost from 1867. Every section of this road has a story carved into its soil.
This is a High Clearance route — Moderate to Difficult in places. Lava rock sections near Piute Gorge are sharp and unforgiving on sidewalls; run 10-ply rated all-terrains. Soda Lake is impassable when wet — check recent conditions before committing. A capable high-clearance 4WD is required; soft-roaders will end their day early. No fuel along the route — fill in Barstow and Needles and carry reserve. Water is scarce and unreliable; carry a minimum of 4 gallons per person. Best season: October through April. Summer heat kills. No permit required for day use; dispersed camping with a free permit from BLM Needles Field Office. The Mojave Preserve’s quiet authority over this landscape is earned — you’ll feel it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 138 mi / 222 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4500 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with all-terrain tyres |
| Nearest town | Baker, California |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Needles Field Office / National Park Service — Mojave National Preserve |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | NPS Mojave National Preserve Roads 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle the full Mojave Road crossing?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD with all-terrain tires is the minimum and handles the route fine under normal conditions. The sand sections near dry lakes and the rocky stretches through Piute Gorge are the biggest tests — airing down to 20-25 PSI is mandatory, not optional. A lifted rig with lockers isn't required, but you'll want recovery gear regardless.
What's the best time of year to run the Mojave Road and what happens if you go in summer?
October through April is the window — summer temperatures regularly hit 110°F+, which is genuinely dangerous on a 138-mile route with no cell service and minimal shade. Flash flood risk also spikes in late summer monsoon season and can make washes impassable. Stick to the cool season.
Do you need a permit to drive the full Mojave Road crossing?
No permit is required for day use or vehicle travel on the route itself. The section through Mojave National Preserve falls under NPS jurisdiction and dispersed camping is allowed in designated areas within the preserve — no fee, but you must follow NPS camping rules (14-day limit, no campfires during fire restrictions). Check current fire restrictions before you go.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect there?
Piute Gorge is the technical crux — tight canyon walls, embedded rock, and loose surface that demands slow, deliberate line choice. It's not a rock crawler's playground, but it will punish inattention or speed. The deep sand crossings on the dry lake beds earlier in the route are deceptively exhausting on your drivetrain if you're not aired down.
How far is it between fuel stops, and is there water available on the route?
Plan for the full 138 miles with no fuel — Baker is your last reliable stop at the west end, and Needles is your exit point east. Carry a minimum 5-gallon fuel reserve. Water at Government Holes can be present but is not guaranteed and is not potable without treatment; bring all the water you need for 2-3 days, minimum 1.5 gallons per person per day.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.