Open: September - June, 8 am to 5 pm, Friday-Sunday and Holiday Mondays.
Closed: July & August, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
(760) 928-2586
Open: September - June, 8 am to 5 pm, Friday-Sunday and Holiday Mondays.
Closed: July & August, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Yes
Dogs allowed only in the historic grounds, parking lot, and picnic area of the park. Dogs not allowed inside Mitchell Caverns, the visitor center, or on trails. Dogs can not be left unattended in vehicles or other areas of the park.
No events scheduled at this moment.
Be advised that many navigational services and apps are NOT accurate when travelling to Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, "The Home of Mitchell Caverns".
Many of these (Google Maps in particular) are leading people down long and sandy 4-wheel drive routes that are potentially hazardous, or that do not exist at all.
This park is ONLY accessible from Essex Road; it actually sits at the nothern terminus.
Essex Road is accessible in two ways: from south via Interstate 40 at Exit 100 (Essex Road), or from the north via Black Canyon Road, a mostly dirt road in the center of the Mojave National Preserve.
Please double-check any directions provided by navigational apps and services to ensure accuracy.
Tour reservations for Mitchell Caverns will be taken online via ReserveCalifornia.com only.
Use California State Parks - Tours (reservecalifornia.com) and use "Providence Mountains SRA" in Category, and use only a day when the park is open for Choose Date option.
As alternative to the website above, call Reserve California at 1-800-444-7275.
Providence Mountains is excited to announce that the campground will be opening January 6th, 2023. Providence Mountains SRA has five developed campsites that will be available Friday and Saturday nights starting January 6, 2023. Camping will be by reservation only. Visit www.reservecalifornia.com to make campsite reservations now.
Campground Rules:
Check in time is 2pm, check out time is 12pm
Maximum 2 vehicles and 8 people per campsite
Quiet time is 10pm-6am, generators off 8pm-8am
The front gate will close at 8pm. If you expect to arrive after 8pm, call the park office for the gate combination.
There is no trash service at the park. Pack it in and pack it out.
Water is scarce at the park. Bring your own water for drinking, washing, and cooking.
Cost: Campsite - $20/night, extra vehicle $10/night
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy one of the most iconic and time capsule parks in California. This unique and remote travel destination offers a frontier experience of timeless landscapes and breathtaking views. The park is also home to the beautiful Mitchell Caverns, a diverse habitat full of limestone cave formations and unique wildlife - everything from bats to tiny pseudoscorpions and more.
We invite you to visit this iconic state recreation area. There are a number of day-use activities available for the public including tours of Mitchell Caverns and park trails. Also, Providence Mountains State Recreation Area is located within the Mojave National Preserve. Visitors can visit Providence Mountains early in the morning and explore the other wonderful sites within the Mojave National Preserve including camping under the stars.
Mitchell Caverns Tour Reservations
Reservations are recommended for tours of Mitchell Caverns
About the Caverns
Trails
Three trails are available to the public at Providence Mountains State Recreation Area - the Cave Trail, Mary Beal Nature Trail, and Niña Mora Trail.
Viewing of Wildlife and Vegetation
Providence Mountains is home to a variety of wildlife and vegetation. They are integral parts of the ecosystem and natural community. As such, they are protected by federal, state and park laws.
Help us keep this outdoor setting natural by:
Native People History
The Chemehuevi people, a branch of the Southern Paiute, have lived in the Mojave Desert for thousands of years. Among the local resources used for foods were pinon pine nuts, agave hearts, yucca, and even chuckwallas.
For more information on the Chemehuevi people, visit their websites below:
Providence History/Fun Facts
Safety Tips
If you are planning a trip to Providence Mountains, you will need to take some extra preparation and special precautions to make sure you will be able to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Keep the following factors in mind:
Location/Directions
DO NOT RELY ON ONLINE NAVIGATIONAL AIDS - particularly GoogleMaps. These programs are producing dramatic errors and giving bad directions. BRING A MAP AND KNOW YOUR ROUTE.
The park is located in the eastern Mojave Desert north of Interstate 40, on Essex Road, exit 100. This is exit is 56 miles west of Needles, 100 miles east of Barstow. Follow Essex Road 16 miles northwest from the exit. Located at an elevation of 4,300 feet, the park is surrounded by the Mojave National Preserve.
Caution- be prepared to travel in the desert! The nearest fuel station to the park is 24 miles away in Fenner. Carry water in your vehicle in case of an unexpected situation. Food is not available at the park, so plan ahead for meals.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing
The best weather occurs in the Spring and Fall, but, because of the 4,300 foot elevation at the visitor center, temperatures usually remain moderate throughout the year.
Although physical tours of Mitchell Caverns are limited and only available by reservation, you can still experience this extraordinary place with this virtual tour.
Decontamination Procedures
If you are wearing clothing or footwear that have been in any caves, mines, or lave tubes in the last 10 years:
Thank you for helping to prevent the spread of White Nose Syndrome. For more information , visit www.whitenosessyndrome.org.
(Photograph by California State Parks)