Top Desert Parks: Mojave National Preserve, California

Mojave National Preserve sees many fewer visitors than Joshua Tree and Death Valley national parks, its near neighbors to the north and south, yet the scenery is similar, and equally varied; the preserve contains vast plains and scattered mountain ranges, with attractions including sand dunes, volcanic features, caves, dry lakes, springs, rock formations, old mines and Joshua tree forests. Various types of roads cross the 1.6 million acre region, plus a few maintained trails, and also a working railway. The main activities are hiking, 4WD exploration and (free) primitive camping.

Mojave National Preserve: details, map