Mojave Road — Government Holes to Afton Canyon via Soda Lake Playa
Salt playa, basalt canyon, and 200 years of desert history.
The Mojave Road is the oldest non-native route across the Mojave Desert — used by Mojave traders for centuries before mountain men and US Army surveyors etched it into maps in the 1820s and 1850s. This central segment, running from the historic waterhole at Government Holes west to Afton Canyon, crosses the vast white expanse of Soda Lake — a dry playa that in wet years floods shallow but in a drought year is pure blinding alkali flat. Once across, the route descends into Afton Canyon, a place sometimes called the Grand Canyon of the Mojave, where the Mojave River surfaces and actually flows above ground through carved basalt walls. Camp here and you sleep next to running water in the middle of the driest desert in North America. The contrast is disorienting in the best possible way.
The route is rated moderate — sandy washes, occasional soft playa edges after rain, and rocky canyon sections require high clearance and 4WD, but a stock truck with good all-terrain tyres handles it comfortably. Aired-down tyres (20–25 psi) help significantly on the playa and wash approaches. The Mojave Road Guide book (published by the Friends of the Mojave Road) is the definitive reference and worth every cent. No permit required for vehicle travel. Camping is available at Afton Canyon Campground (BLM fee site) or dispersed along the route per BLM rules. Best season is October through April — summer heat is dangerous and routinely fatal. Carry minimum 5 gallons of water per person.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 54.7 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2480 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Baker, California |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Barstow Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Afton Canyon page BLM Barstow 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 full Government Holes to Afton Canyon run?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner is the minimum you want here. Aired-down tires (20-25 PSI) are non-negotiable on the sand sections, and the basalt rock approaches into Afton Canyon will punish low-clearance rigs.
Is this trail passable in summer?
Technically open, but summer temps on the Soda Lake playa regularly hit 110°F+, and the Mojave River crossings at Afton Canyon can run higher after monsoon activity. October through April is the window — outside that, you're gambling with heat, flash floods, or both.
Do I need a permit to drive the Mojave Road or camp along it?
No permit required for driving the route. Dispersed camping on BLM land is free and allowed, with a 14-day stay limit per site. The Afton Canyon Campground at the western end is a fee site managed by BLM — check the BLM Barstow Field Office for current rates.
How technical does it actually get — what's the hardest section?
The descent into Afton Canyon is the crux: loose basalt, off-camber shelf road, and limited recovery room. It's not a rock-crawling nightmare, but one mistake on that shelf puts you in a bad spot. The Soda Lake playa crossing is straightforward when dry but becomes impassable when wet — check conditions before committing.
Are the Mojave River crossings at Afton Canyon actual water crossings or usually dry?
There are multiple crossings through the canyon and they often have standing water, especially October through spring. Depth is typically 12–24 inches but can be higher after rain or upstream runoff. Scout each crossing on foot before driving — the bottom is sandy and soft, and getting stuck mid-crossing is a real scenario.
Trail track
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