Mojave Wilderness Area

The Mojave Wilderness Area spans nearly 784,000 acres across California as a federally protected wilderness. This is primitive backcountry—no roads, motors, or mechanized travel are allowed. What you'll encounter is remote desert terrain shaped by the Mojave landscape, where solitude and self-reliance are central to the experience.

Hiking and backpacking are the primary ways to move through this wilderness. You'll travel on foot, carrying what you need, with minimal infrastructure and no maintained trail system in the way developed areas offer. The wilderness ethic here is strict: Leave No Trace principles apply throughout, meaning you pack out everything you pack in, camp responsibly, and move lightly across the land.

Access requires planning. There are no visitor centers or formal trailheads within the wilderness boundary itself—entry points depend on adjacent public lands and private access arrangements. Spring and fall offer the most moderate conditions for desert hiking; summer heat and winter cold both present real hazards. This is a destination for experienced backcountry users comfortable with navigation, self-sufficiency, and the demands of remote desert travel.