Mojave Road
140 miles through ghost country.
Before it was the Mojave Road, it was a Native American trade route. Then a Spanish exploration corridor. Then a U.S. Army wagon road dotted with redoubts to protect mail riders from Paiute raids. Today it’s 140 miles of the most accessible, historically rich desert crossing in the American Southwest.
The route starts at the Colorado River near Bullhead and ends at the Mojave River near Afton Canyon. In between: Fort Piute ruins, the Penny Can Tree, Marl Springs, the lava tubes, and enough petroglyphs to fill a museum. Stock 4x4s do it all the time. You don’t need 35s. You need fuel, water, a shovel, and the Dennis Casebier guidebook.
It’s not technical. It’s a commitment. Three days minimum if you’re doing it right — camping at Rock Spring, ringing the bell at the mailbox, stopping long enough to let the place get under your skin.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 140 mi / 225.3 km |
| Duration | 2-4 days |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4x4 with high clearance and AT tires |
| Nearest town | Needles, CA / Baker, CA |
| Land manager | BLM / Mojave National Preserve (NPS) |
| Permit required | No |
| Fuel interval (miles) | 140 mi |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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.