Driving through the Mojave Desert feels like traveling across the surface of a giant, sun-baked apricot. It’s vast. It's empty. Then, suddenly, the landscape shifts into these jagged, Swiss-cheese rock formations that look like they belong in a 1950s sci-fi flick about Mars. This is the Mojave National Preserve. Right in the middle of it sits the Hole in the Wall Information Center.
Don’t expect a glass-and-steel visitor complex with a Starbucks. Honestly, it’s basically a converted medical clinic from the 1950s. It’s small. It’s weathered. But if you're out here, it’s the only place where you can get a straight answer about whether your sedan is actually going to make it over the next mountain pass.
The Mojave National Preserve covers 1.6 million acres. That’s huge. To put that in perspective, it’s bigger than the state of Delaware. People often confuse the Information Center with a standard national park station, but the Mojave is a "Preserve," which means the rules are a little different, and the solitude is way more intense.
What is the Hole in the Wall Information Center actually?
Most people stumble upon this place because they’re looking for the Rings Loop Trail. The information center acts as the gateway. It’s located about 20 miles north of I-40 on Essex Road. If you hit Black Canyon Road, you’re basically there. It’s operated by the National Park Service, but it’s got a much more rugged, "outpost" vibe than anything you’d find in Yosemite or Zion.
Inside, you’ll find the usual stuff—maps, some books on desert tortoises, and postcards. But the real value is the rangers. These folks live out here. They know which dirt roads have been washed out by the last monsoon and where the bighorn sheep are currently hiding.
One thing people get wrong: they think this is a 24/7 facility. It’s definitely not. Since the pandemic and various budget shifts, the hours have been... fickle. Usually, it's open Friday through Monday, roughly 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you show up on a Tuesday, you’re looking at a closed door and a very quiet desert. Always check the official NPS alerts before you bet your hydration levels on it being open.
The geology that gave it the name
Why "Hole in the Wall"?
It’s not just a clever branding move. Millions of years ago, massive volcanic eruptions sent "nuée ardente" (glowing clouds of gas and ash) screaming across this landscape. As the ash cooled, gas bubbles got trapped inside the rock. Over eons, wind and water eroded those pockets, leaving behind a rhyolitic tuff that looks like it was hit by giant, prehistoric buckshot.
The Hole in the Wall Information Center sits right at the base of these cliffs. It’s a literal wall of holes.
Survival is the priority here
I can't stress this enough: the desert doesn't care about your Instagram photos. The information center serves as a critical safety hub because cell service in the Mojave is a joke. It’s nonexistent. Once you leave that little building, you are on your own.
Rangers here spend a lot of time telling people not to drive their rented Nissan Altimas down Mojave Road. That road is meant for 4WD, high-clearance vehicles only. If you get stuck, a tow truck from Needles or Barstow is going to cost you upwards of $1,000. Easily. Maybe more if they have to hunt for you.
The Rings Loop Trail: The main event
Most visitors use the information center as a staging ground for the Rings Loop. It’s a 1.5-mile hike. Sounds easy, right? Mostly, it is. But there’s a catch.
To complete the loop, you have to climb (or descend) two sets of iron rings bolted into the rock walls. These were installed decades ago by cattlemen who needed a way to get through the narrow canyons. It’s not technical rock climbing, but if you have bad knees or a fear of heights, it’s gonna be a challenge.
- The First Set: Shorter, narrower.
- The Second Set: Higher, requires a bit more upper body strength.
- The Terrain: Sandy washes mixed with volcanic rubble.
If you’ve got a dog, you aren't getting them up those rings unless you can carry them in a specialized harness. I’ve seen people try to hoist Labradors up there. It never ends well for the human or the dog. Just hike to the rings from the picnic area, look at them, and turn back if you're with a pet.
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Camping at Hole in the Wall
Right next to the Hole in the Wall Information Center is the campground. It’s one of the best spots in the Southwest for stargazing. Because you're so far from the light pollution of Vegas and LA, the Milky Way looks like a thick smear of white paint across the sky.
There are 35 sites. They are first-come, first-served. Don't show up at 8:00 PM on a Saturday in October and expect a spot. It won't happen. The desert is "in season" from October to May. During these months, the campground fills up fast.
The cost is usually around $12 a night, but bring cash. The "iron ranger" (the metal pay box) doesn't take Apple Pay. There’s water available at the information center, but it’s a desert. Things break. Pipes freeze or wells go dry. Bring your own water. At least five gallons per person. Seriously.
Dealing with the "Mojave Phone Booth" ghosts
A bit of trivia: this area used to be famous for the Mojave Phone Booth. It was a lone payphone miles from anywhere that people used to call just to see if someone would answer. It became a global cult phenomenon in the 90s. The Park Service eventually ripped it out because the traffic was destroying the ecosystem.
When you visit the information center now, you’re standing near the gateway to that kind of weird, lonely history. The desert attracts people who want to disappear, and this center is the last tether to "civilization" for many of them.
Common Misconceptions
People think the Mojave is just flat sand. It’s not. The Hole in the Wall area is at about 4,200 feet in elevation.
That means it gets cold.
I’ve seen it snow at the information center in February. People show up in flip-flops and tank tops because they think "California + Desert = Hot." Then the sun goes down, the temperature drops 40 degrees in an hour, and they’re shivering in their cars.
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Another big one: "I'll just use Google Maps."
Stop. Download your maps for offline use before you leave Barstow. Better yet, buy a physical topographic map at the Hole in the Wall Information Center. GPS will often try to send you down "roads" that are actually just sandy washes where you will get stuck and stay stuck.
Essential Gear for Your Visit
If you're heading out there, don't be "that guy" who needs a rescue.
- A Real Spare Tire: Not a "donut." A full-sized spare. The volcanic rock is sharp. It eats tires for breakfast.
- Layers: Even in May, a windbreaker is a lifesaver.
- Tweezers: Everything in the Mojave wants to poke you. Cholla cactus needles are no joke. They have barbs. They hurt.
- Analog Navigation: A compass and a paper map. High-tech fails in the heat.
Why this place matters in 2026
We’re more connected than ever. We have Starlink, we have satellite SOS on our iPhones, and yet, places like the Hole in the Wall Information Center are more popular than they were a decade ago.
Why? Because it’s real.
There’s no filter on the rhyolite cliffs. There’s no artificial intelligence that can replicate the smell of creosote after a desert rain. It’s one of the few places left where you can feel small. Not "depressed" small, but "the universe is huge and my emails don't matter" small.
The rangers here are the stewards of that feeling. They aren't just there to sell you a patch for your backpack; they’re there to make sure you respect the land enough to survive it.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
- Check the Wind: Before you go, check the wind forecast. If it’s over 30 mph, the Hole in the Wall campground becomes a sandblasting chamber. It’s miserable.
- Fuel Up in Fenner: The closest gas is usually at the Fenner gas station (I-40 and Goffs Rd). It is notoriously expensive. Like, "highest prices in the country" expensive. Pay it anyway. Running out of gas in the Preserve is way more expensive.
- Talk to the Ranger: Ask specifically about the condition of Cedar Canyon Road. It’s the main East-West artery, and it’s frequently washboarded or closed.
- Pack it Out: There is no trash service in the backcountry. Whatever you bring to the Information Center area, take it back to the highway with you.
The Mojave National Preserve is a place of extremes. It's beautiful, brutal, and bizarre. The Hole in the Wall Information Center is the only thing standing between you and a very long, very thirsty walk. Use it. Respect the advice you get there. And for heaven's sake, watch your step on those rings.