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Camp at Hole In the Wall Campground

San Bernardino County, California

5.0/5
based on 1 reviews

Description

Added by Alex E

Hole In The Wall Campground offers picturesque sunsets and sunrises over the beautiful desert terrain in Mojave National Preserve. The night sky is covered in stars and I saw so many shooting stars I lost count. It is also an easy stop from Interstate 15 or 40.

You may think a desert is barren and ugly with little to offer the avid outdoorsman. The truth is very far from that. The Mojave, like any other great outdoor location offers great hikes, amazing views, wildlife, and a night sky that is hard to beat anywhere else. The Mojave just like all great deserts is extremely hot during the day and extremely cold at night. The sunsets and sunrises are remarkable as the sun strikes the glowing reds, burnt oranges and tans of the beautiful desert landscape. The night sky is so rich with stars, you see more light than black sky. Shooting stars race through the sky so frequently you lose count and a full moon turns night into day.

I was lucky enough to sleep under the stars at Hole in the Wall campground over the Thanksgiving holiday. The campsite gets its name from the 1000s of holes that dot the surrounding mountain walls. The campground is an easy place to stop if driving on Interstate 15 or 40. The campgrounds have pay stations you can access anytime and are rarely filled. The campsites are only 12 dollars and accept cash and personal check. This was my first visit to the Mojave during this time of year. The daytime temperature was a beautiful 63 degrees but at night it dropped to 23. A full moon lit up the desert landscape like I have never seen before. When I woke up early to take great sunrise photos, I was blessed with an amazing scene. Almost in unison, as the sun rose in the east, the full moon set in the west. I turned back and forth from the sun to the moon as they crested over the silhouetted mountains trying to take as many pictures as I could. I truly enjoyed my short one day trek into the Mojave and plan to return again soon. I highly recommend this trip for any outdoor or photography enthusiast.

For more information, head to nps.gov.

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Features

Rock Climbing
Chillin
Camping
Photography
Mountain Biking
Hiking
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Groups
Picnic Area
Romantic
Scenic
Wildlife
ADA Accessible

Camp at Hole In the Wall Campground Reviews

My family and I spent two nights here during Super Bowl weekend, intentionally staying away from the television. We arrived around 8:30pm on a Friday night and easily navigated to one of the many open campsites and dropped our payment envelope in the kiosk. 12$ per night, collected by the camp host. Views of the sky from this part of the Mojave are breathtaking, unencumbered by light pollution from the city. The campsite was extremely quiet and all neighbors followed the "no noise after 7pm" rule. We had a fire pit, potable water and vault toilets within close range. We easily accessed the visitor center where both of my kids (6 & 8) completed the Junior Ranger Program and received their patches. Ranger Robert was very helpful and enthusiastic, stating our kids were his first ever to swear in as Junior Rangers! We completed the Rings Loop Trail with two dogs needing to be hoisted up in two areas, which made the adventure even more interesting. In addition to the Rings Trail, we explored many of the nearby geological formations, which were natural playgrounds for us all. After our second night, women up by the calls of wild cattle, we headed to Kelso Depot then onto the Lava Tube Trail en route to the 15 freeway. I highly recommend this adventure if you are seeking something kid and dog friendly away from the crowds!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Teutonia Peak Trail

Explore the Mojave Desert Lava Tube

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Visit Seven Magic Mountains