Mojave Road — Government Holes to Piute Spring via Lanfair Valley and Fort Piute
An 1867 Army fort and a living spring, earned in sand.
The Mojave Road has carried Mojave traders, US Army columns, and mail wagons since the 1860s — and the eastern segment between Government Holes and Piute Spring is the stretch that still feels most like all of that happened yesterday. Government Holes itself is a reliable water source dug by the Army, now a concrete tank sitting in open desert east of Soda Dry Lake. From there the track crosses the Lanfair Valley — broad, exposed, and wind-hammered — before climbing into the Piute Range and arriving at Fort Piute, a small stone garrison built in 1867 to protect the mail route from Mojave attacks. The fort walls are still standing. Piute Spring seeps out of the volcanic rock just above, and in spring the canyon blooms with desert willow. The surface alternates between packed sand, loose river gravel in the Piute Wash, and embedded volcanic cobble on the climb to the fort.
This is a moderate 4WD run on a good day — sand sections in Lanfair Valley can get soft after wind events and the wash approach to Fort Piute has enough embedded rock to punish street tyres. A stock 4WD with a skid plate is fine; a lifted rig with all-terrains is more comfortable. The entire Mojave Road corridor sits within Mojave National Preserve — no permit required, but the preserve charges no entrance fee and camping is dispersed with no hookups. Carry water; Government Holes is not safe to drink without treatment. Best season is October through April. Cell service is nonexistent from Lanfair to Piute Canyon.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 30 mi / 48.3 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3904 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance with skid plate |
| Nearest town | Needles, California |
| Land manager | National Park Service — Mojave National Preserve |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | NPS Mojave Road Guide Mojave National Preserve NPS |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this trail without modifications?
Yes — a stock 4WD with high clearance and a skid plate is the minimum and will get you through. The deep sand sections in Lanfair Valley are the real test; airing down to 20 PSI is not optional, it's how you avoid getting stuck.
Is the Mojave Road passable in summer?
Technically open, but summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F out here and there is zero shade. The best season is October through April — pushing outside that window is a heat and mechanical risk most experienced desert drivers avoid.
Do I need a permit to drive this section of the Mojave Road?
No permit is required to drive the trail, but you are inside Mojave National Preserve the entire time and NPS regulations apply. Dispersed camping is allowed; campfires are heavily restricted — check current fire rules with the Hole-in-the-Wall visitor center before you go.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The loose sand through Lanfair Valley is the most unforgiving stretch — it's not technical in a rock-crawling sense, but soft sand that will swallow a vehicle running street pressure. Keep momentum, stay aired down, and have a traction board or a plan if you go sideways.
Is there water at Piute Spring and can I rely on it?
Piute Spring is a genuine desert spring and has been a reliable water source since the 1800s, but treat everything you pull from it — it is not potable without filtration. Do not plan your trip around it as your only water source; carry all drinking water out of Needles before you start.
Trail track
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