The Mojave Desert National Preserve

Attractions
Accommodations
Valley Museum

The Mojave Desert National Preserve covers an area of more than 15,000 square miles and extends from the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the west to the Colorado Plateau in the east, and from the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains in the south to the northern reaches of Death Valley. The Mojave National Preserve offers spectacular sights for visitors. With Rose-colored sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, Joshua tree forests and mile-high mountains, visitors to the Preserve will see impressive natural wonders that change with each season. The area offers a rich plant and animal population that varies by elevation. Desert tortoises can be seen in creosote bush flats, while the stunning black and yellow Scott’s Oriole can be found nesting in Joshua trees located along the hillsides. Mule deer and bighorn sheep roam among Pinyon pines and juniper in the park’s many mountain ranges.

Mojave Desert Attractions. The area receives very little rain each year, so rare winter snows and vivid spring wildflowers are a special treat for visitors. Enjoy a scenic drive past cinder cones and lava flows on the road to Kelso Dunes. You’ll see more Joshua trees and a glimpse of the distant Providence Mountains as you gain elevation up this easy grade. For a more challenging trip, try the Mojave Road in your Four wheel drive vehicle. Originally part of a network of Indian trails, the route became a wagon road when the Army established a series of outposts across the desert in the 1860s. The Mojave Road bisects the Preserve from east to west and was the major route across the Mojave Desert until the arrival of the first railroad route in 1883. [Top]

Mojave Desert Accommodations. Stay at the Best Western Desert Villa Inn when you visit the Mojave Desert National Preserve and the Mojave River Valley Museum. Located just off Interstate Highway 40 and minutes from area attractions, you’ll enjoy great accommodations and extra features at our comfortable hotel. The Desert Villa Inn offers everything you need to make your vacation in the Mojave Desert and Barstow area memorable. Enjoy our comfortable rooms and suites, complimentary continental breakfast, free Internet access and discounts on desert vacation packages. [Top]

Mojave River Valley Museum. When you’re in the area, make sure to visit the Mojave River Valley Museum, located in downtown Barstow. Dedicated to the preservation of the scientific, historical and cultural heritage of the past and present, the museum offers a series of historical exhibits depicting the history of the Mojave River Valley, from the arrival of Father Garces in 1776, to the pathfinders, pioneers, miners and the present-day space program. Artifacts from the famous Calico Early Man site are on display and other exhibits include 19th century mining, gemstones, minerals, railroads, automotive and the famed "headless horseman" found in the desert in 1965. The museum’s gift shop offers a wide selection of souvenirs and books on local history, railroads, Death Valley, geology / mineralogy and much more. The Museum is free to the public and open daily from 11am - 4pm. www.nps.gov/moja/. [Top]

Best Western Desert Villa Inn - Barstow, CA
1984 East Main Street, Barstow, CA
Phone: 760-256-1781 Fax: 760-256-9265
Email: snelson@innvestment.net