Mojave Road Central — Afton Canyon to Piute Spring via Mid Hills and Hole-in-the-Wall
Mojave's volcanic heart — canyon to cliff face.
This central segment of the historic Mojave Road connects Afton Canyon — where the Mojave River actually runs above ground and the canyon walls close in tight around your rig — to Piute Spring via the Mojave National Preserve’s high desert interior. Mid Hills, at 5,600 feet, is the highest point on the Mojave Road and marks the transition from the lower creosote flats to the high desert Joshua tree and juniper zone. From Mid Hills the route drops south toward Hole-in-the-Wall, a dramatic volcanic formation of pitted rhyolite that looks like someone scooped chunks out of a red rock cliff face. The tracks through here are well-defined but sandy in the low sections and rocky on the climbs, with wash crossings at Afton Canyon that can run with actual water after storms — don’t underestimate the canyon entry in wet conditions.
A high-clearance 4WD handles this segment comfortably in dry conditions; a stock lifted pickup or SUV with all-terrains is the realistic minimum. The BLM manages this corridor through the National Trails System — no permit required, but self-registration at some trailheads applies. Mid Hills and Hole-in-the-Wall both have developed BLM campgrounds with water seasonally available; confirm before relying on it. Best season is October through April — summer heat here regularly exceeds 110°F and is genuinely dangerous. Carry a minimum of four gallons of water per person per day. Cell service is essentially zero from Afton Canyon to Piute Spring.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 48 mi / 77.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5600 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Baker, California |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Needles Field Office / Mojave National Preserve (NPS) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | NPS Mojave National Preserve BLM Old Mojave Road trail page |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get through most of it, but the sand sections in Afton Canyon and rocky approaches near Hole-in-the-Wall will punish low-clearance rigs. Skid plates help. A lift isn't required, but aired-down tires (20–25 psi) are non-negotiable in the sand.
Is this trail passable in summer?
Technically open, but summer temps regularly hit 110–120°F in the lower canyon sections — that's a vehicle-killing, potentially life-threatening environment. This trail is rated best October through April for a reason. Don't push it.
Do I need a permit to run this route?
No permit required for day use or dispersed camping on the BLM sections. The Mojave National Preserve portions (Mid Hills, Hole-in-the-Wall) are NPS-managed — no fee for driving through, but camping at developed sites like Mid Hills requires a fee. Dispersed camping on BLM land outside the Preserve boundary is free.
What's the hardest section and what makes it sketchy?
The Afton Canyon riverbed crossing is the one that catches people off guard — it's an active wash and the sand can be deep and soft depending on recent rains or flooding. Line choice matters. The rocky ledges approaching Hole-in-the-Wall are technical but slow-speed manageable; they're more about patience than power.
How far is it between reliable gas and water on this route?
Baker is your last guaranteed fuel stop before the run — fill up there, no exceptions. There's no gas between Baker and the far end of this route. Water at Piute Spring exists but treat it; Mid Hills campground has water seasonally but verify with the Preserve before you leave. Carry at least 5 gallons of drinking water per person for a 1–2 day run.
Trail track
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