Mojave Road — Afton Canyon to Piute Spring via Soda Lake and Government Holes (Classic West-to-East Crossing)
138 miles of desert history. No shortcuts.
The Mojave Road traces a route used by the U.S. Army in the 1860s to supply Fort Mojave on the Colorado River, following a string of springs and waterholes that Native Americans had worked for centuries before that. The classic west-to-east run starts at Afton Canyon — where the Mojave River briefly runs above ground — crosses the Soda Dry Lake playa, threads through Government Holes (a hand-dug water cistern still visible in the creosote flats), passes Mid Hills and Hole-in-the-Wall in the Mojave National Preserve interior, and finishes at the Piute Spring oasis near the Colorado River. Every named stop along that route has a specific historical anchor: soldiers, cattlemen, and homesteaders who used exactly these water sources. Rock Spring, a natural granite-enclosed pool, is the spiritual midpoint.
The trail is moderate but deceptive. Soda Lake can be flooded after winter rain and the lakebed becomes impassable; Government Holes Road is rough washboard that punishes low-clearance vehicles; and the lava flow sections near Hole-in-the-Wall require aired-down tyres and patience. A stock 4WD with at least 8 inches of clearance handles the route in dry conditions. No permit required inside Mojave National Preserve for vehicle travel. Cell service is essentially zero through the interior. Carry significant water — springs are not reliable for drinking. Best season is October through April. Dispersed camping is legal in most sections; the Preserve campgrounds at Hole-in-the-Wall are a solid base.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 138 mi / 222 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4500 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high clearance |
| Nearest town | Baker, California |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management / National Park Service — Mojave National Preserve |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | NPS Mojave Road Guide BLM Mojave Road |
| 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 Mojave Road crossing?
Yes — a stock 4WD high-clearance truck or SUV can complete the route. Aired-down tires (20-25 PSI) are essential for the sand sections near Soda Lake and Afton Canyon. A locking rear diff helps but isn't required if you have momentum and decent technique.
What months should I actually avoid driving the Mojave Road?
May through September is brutal — daytime temps regularly exceed 110°F and a breakdown becomes a life-safety situation fast. October through April is the window. Flash floods can close Afton Canyon and wash out crossings with almost no warning in winter; check conditions before you leave Baker.
Do I need a permit to drive the Mojave Road?
No permit required for the drive itself. The route crosses BLM land and Mojave National Preserve — both allow dispersed camping without a permit for up to 14 days, but you must camp 200 feet off the road and out of washes. No fires in the Preserve without a valid California campfire permit (free, online).
What's the hardest section of the route and what should I expect?
Afton Canyon at the western end is the gnarliest part — you drive through the Mojave River wash multiple times, and depending on recent rains, crossings can be axle-deep with soft sand bottom. The volcanic rock sections mid-route are slow and punishing on tires but not technically difficult. Soda Lake in wet conditions can swallow a vehicle; if it looks questionable, go around.
How far is it between water and fuel on the full crossing, and what should I plan for?
There is zero fuel or water along the 138-mile route — Baker is your last stop heading east, and Needles is your first option at the Colorado River end. Carry a minimum of 5 gallons of water per person and enough fuel for 200+ miles of low-gear desert driving. Piute Spring has historic water but treat it; don't count on it as your primary source.
Trail track
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