Cima Ghost Town
Founded in 1900 with the opening of a store and later post office in 1905, H.C. Gibson made the town famous because he did not pump gas for his customers making this the original self-service station
Cinder Cone Lava Beds
Surrounded by 32 small volcanoes known as cinder cones, this natural landmark has been erupting for 7.6 million years with the most recent occurring only 10,000 years ago
Devil's Playground
Stretching from the Kelso Dunes to Soda Lake, this extensive dune field covers nearly forty miles and is a grand wilderness corridor
Granite Mountains
Exotic eroded shapes are a wonderland for the imagination here. The highest peak at 6,796 ft make it an area rich in biodiversity and lies within a transition zone for the Mojave Desert, Sonoran Desert, Great Basin Desert and Colorado Plateau.
Banshee Canyon / Hole-in-the-Wall
The canyon was named after the sound of the wind as it blew across the canyon sounding to early settlers like a Banshee from Irish Mythology. The colorful rocks were formed by volcanic eruptions several million years ago. Adjacent is a great visitor center highlighting many sights of the Mojave.
Ivanpah Ghost Town
Ivanpah, Native American for 'clear water', was a silver ore mining town established in 1869. At its peak, the town included a hotel, two stores and post office.
Kelso Depot
The National Park Service saved the depot from demolition when abandoned after passenger service ended in 1964 and restored it to its original glory. It continues to be a beacon of light for travelers.
Ivanpah Valley
An entrance to the park along Morning Star Mine Road through the Ivanpah Valley makes for a grand entrance into the world's largest and densest Joshua Tree forest
Kelso Ghost Town
Railroad service stop for the Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad opening in 1923. It became a boom-town during the World War II war effort delivering key goods via Union Pacific.
Kelso Dunes
One of the largest (45 square miles) and tallest (700 feet) sand dunes in the North America. They are often called the 'Singing Dunes' for the booming noise created by sliding sands. Run down a dune and listen for the rumble. A moderate 3 mile round-trip trail takes you to the top of the highest dune and is perfect for solitude seekers.
Lava Tube
Lava that emptied and cooled leaving behind a cave known as the Lava Tube. A stairwell descends into the tube allowing the visitor to explore this geologic wonderland. The Lava Tube can be accessed by a 5 mile drive on Aiken Mine Road. Use extreme caution as this is a rough gravel road. *4 wheel drive recommended.
Mid-Hills
The heart of the park which can be accessed by the famous Mojave Road. Features Joshua Trees and an epic place to watch the sunset.
Shadow Valley
Picturesque valley with Joshua Trees surrounded by boulders
Soda Lake
The lake is dry today; however, a winter rain or summer monsoon creates pools with meadows teeming with life
Teutonia Peak Trail
This 3 mile round-trip hike winds through the largest and densest Joshua Tree forest on Earth. Sweeping views of Mojave Desert terrain including the symmetrical Cima Dome soar for miles as this peak tops out at 5,755 feet.
Wild Horse Canyon Road
This dirt drive is a true experience of solitude as is winds along the secluded canyon. Beautiful mountains full of desert cacti reveal vista points of genuine Mojave desert terrain. *Watch for free roam cattle and 4 wheel drive strongly recommended
Zzyzx
Curtis Howe Springer founded the Zzyzx Mineral Springs & Health Spa in 1944 naming it Zzyzx so that it would become the very last word in the dictionary. The government caught up with Springer in the 60's and the Resort was shut down. A car graveyard is the highlight of the present-day ruins