6. Lava Tube Cave.

One of the most popular attractions in the Mojave National Preserve is its 500-foot-long Lava Tube Cave. Lave tubes are formed when hot liquid magma flows like a river underground from an active volcano. Once the lava flow runs out and cools, it leaves behind a tube-like structure in the surrounding rock. The lava tube in the Mojave Preserve was formed millions of years ago and has two skylights that illuminates the cave. And when the sun lines up with the main skylight, a shaft of light streams down through the hole with dramatic effect.

If you plan your visit around mid-day on a clear day, you may see a shaft of light streaming down through the skylight into the cave.

Don’t forget to bring a flashlight and watch your head on the low ceiling at the entrance of the cave!

A metal staircase enables visitors to safely descend into the lava tube. Watch your head near the entrance and remember to bring a flashlight because the cave starts out very dark. Once the cave opens up, it is well lit and the cool air makes for a nice retreat from the desert heat. .

7. Cinder Cone Lava Beds

The area to the West of Aiken Mine is home to a dozens of well-preserved cinder cones and lava flows. Aiken Mine road offers spectacular views of several tightly clustered volcanic cinder cones that rise as high as 500 feet from the ground. Some were created by volcanic activity millions of years ago, while others may have been active as recently as 10,000 years ago. The youngest of the cinder cones are less eroded and have an iconic volcano shape.

The lava flow area across the road from the Lava Tube is an excellent viewing point for the giant cinder cones off in the distance.

Setting up camp in the shadow of a large volcanic cinder cone. 10,000 years ago this would have been a bad place to stop for the night.

Unlike some volcanoes that erupt or explode, cinder cones spew out tiny chunks of lava (cinders) into the air which slowly build up their pyramid shape. Side roads break off from Aiken Mine road and Kelbaker road allowing you to get deeper into the heart of the Cinder Cone Lava Beds for a closer look. With more time to explore, you’ll find petrified trees, petroglyphs and fossil lava falls in the area. Many of the cinder cones have trails that lead you to their cratered tops if you are interested in a hike..

8. Indian Well Petroglyphs

At the far eastern edge of the park in the Lanfair Valley is a site that’s well worth making the journey. For centuries, the Mojave Trail was a prehistoric trade route for Native Americans. Nearby the Trail, a natural well offered a place to replenish water reserves for early travelers. Today it is known as “Indian Well” or “Eagle Well” and you can still see water trickling out of the rocks even today.

On all the rocks surrounding the well (and on nearly every rock in a 100-foot radius), native people carved a variety of different petroglyphs. Their true meanings are lost to time but some are thought to be at least 1,500 years old. In all, there are between 500-600 exquisite petroglyphs at the site. Carvings come from the Chemehuevi and Mohave tribes and possibly others that inhabited the land before them. A few inscriptions from early Euro-American settlers that visited the site can also be found among the petroglyphs..

9. Hole-in-the-Wall

The battered cliffs on the backside of Hole-in-the-Wall are reminiscent of medieval castle walls that have been pummeled by a catapult.

The volcanic rock formation known as Hole-in-the-Wall is actually a set of pockmarked cliffs located in the center of the Mojave National Preserve. Hole-in-the-Wall was created millions of years ago when nearby volcanic eruptions spewed out layers of lava and ash. As the ash cooled and the gas dissipated, depressions were left behind in the rock walls. Over the ages, wind and water further eroded the holes giving the hillsides a Swiss cheese-like appearance.

The Rings Trail at Hole-in-the-Wall is a 1.5-mile hiking path with Ringbolts embedded into the rock face for use as hand holds and steps (Courtesy Flickr/crosby_cj).

Also at Hole-in-the-Wall, is a 1.5-mile hiking trail called the “Rings Trail” that allows visitors to get deep into Banshee Canyon to experience the unique rock formations up close. Rings bolted into the rocks provide firm hand and foot holds for climbing. Legend has it that Native Americans would elude their pursuers by scurrying down these same cliffs, disappearing from view..

10. Kelso Dunes

The tallest dune in the Kelso Dune Field rises up nearly 700 feet from the desert floor.

Along the southwestern edge of the Mojave National Preserve are the Kelso Dunes. Covering 45 square miles and rising nearly 700 feet above the desert floor, they are among the tallest and most extensive dune fields in the United States. Kelso Dunes were created over the course of 25,000 years as sand grains carried on the wind accumulated at the foot of the Granite and Providence Mountains.

Even if you aren’t up for a hike in your moto boots, Kelso Dunes is still a great place to stretch your legs and enjoy the view of the rolling sand dunes and soft clouds floating across a big blue sky.

Kelso Dunes are closed off to vehicles, but visitors can hike them. It takes about an hour to hike the three mile trail up to the highest dune. At the top, the 360-degree view of a sea of sand and mountains off in the distance is breathtaking. But the best part is coming down. The Kelso Dunes are known to produce a “booming” or “singing” sound when you slide or run down the steep slopes. This acoustic phenomenon sounds like a low-frequency rumble and only occurs when the sand has the right moisture content.

Watch: ADV Weekend In The Mojave

When powersports accessories manufacturer Trail Tech asked us if we had any ideas for a spot in Southern California to ride and film a new episode of their ‘ADV Weekend’ video series, the Mojave Preserve was at the top of our list and we jumped at the opportunity to play Trail Boss for the trip. The main goal of the series is to demonstrate how anyone can easily create their own amazing adventure within the confines of a three-day weekend. Check out all the action and spectacular spots we visited during the journey, much of which was based on this ride guide!

Planning Your Trip

Riding Terrain: While many of the sites listed in this guide may be accessed on graded dirt roads, some require riding technical terrain, including sections of deep sand and rocky hill climbs. All sites are accessible to large 1000cc+ adventure bikes but at least an intermediate level of off-road riding experience is recommended. If you plan to visit all the sites listed in this guide, make sure you have good off-road protection for your body and your bike. A set of dual sport knobby tires, soft luggage and a fuel capacity of at least 200 miles are also advisable. There is no gas within the Mojave National Preserve, so be sure to fill up prior to entering the park. You’ll be riding through very remote areas for three to four days, so bring friends along, enough food and water, first aid and an emergency GPS messaging device.

Weather: Spring and Fall are the best times to visit the Mojave National Preserve. Winter is comfortable in the daytime but it can get down to freezing temperatures at night. Temperatures soar above 100°F (38°C) regularly during the summer. Elevations can range from 1,000 feet to 5,000 feet, so be prepared for a wide range of temperatures and wear good breathable riding gear that can handle swings in the weather. Check road and weather conditions before your departure.

Camping: The Mojave National Preserve camping is excellent. Opportunities for backcountry camping are prevalent and it’s a great place for stargazing at night. Two developed campgrounds — Mid Hills and Hole-in-the-Wall — come equipped with vault toilets, trash receptacles, water, fire rings and picnic tables. Both are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $12 per night.
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Gear We Used

While exploring the Mojave National Preserve, we were hit with one of the biggest storms in decades. The mud, sand and moisture really put our gear to the test. Here are some of the products we rode with that impressed us.

You can read more about how these products performed during our expedition, on our Instagram Page.

Map and GPS Tracks

We’ve put together a route that will allow you to visit all of the places listed in this Ride Guide during a 2- to 4-day trip. Full route details, GPS tracks and a larger interactive map are available on for free. With the REVER app you can load our GPS tracks and maps onto your smartphone, then use them off-line (no cell reception required). You may also * to use on a dedicated GPS device. A paper map is always good to have as a backup as well.

* Terms of Use: Should you decide to explore a route that is published on ADV Pulse, you assume the risk of any resulting injury, loss or damage suffered as a result. The route descriptions, maps and GPS tracks provided are simply a planning resource to be used as a point of inspiration in conjunction with your own due diligence. It is your responsibility to evaluate the route accuracy as well as the current condition of trails and roads, your vehicle readiness, personal fitness and local weather when independently determining whether to use or adapt any of the information provided here.

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.