ESSEX, CA

Hole-in-the-Wall CG, Mojave Natl Preserve (NPS). 35 level unshaded RV-size sites (7 are pullthru), tables, firerings. Vault toilets, trash cans, central potable W, D (free to anyone). $12, S/A Pass 1/2. No reservations, rarely fills. I-40 x100, go 10 mi N on Essex Rd to Mitchell Caverns Rd, bear R on Black Canyon Rd, go 10 mi to CG. All paved rds to CG. Surrounded by sculptured volcanic rock walls, 4400′ elev. Windy. No ATT, weak Verizon. Hiking in nearby Mitchell Caverns. Visitor Ctr 1/4 mi away. Clyde W Sisler #109916 Apr 12. Updated by Sam & Bob Flechtner #102683 stayed Apr 15. Reval by Kim & Greg Ketcher #140941 viewed Mar 21.

Mid Hills CG, Mojave Natl Preserve (NPS). 26 back-in sites. Vault toilets, trash bins, limited W. $12, S/A Pass 1/2. 14 day limit. Open all yr. I-40 x100, go 10 mi N on Essex Rd to Mitchell Caverns Rd, bear R on Black Canyon Rd, go 16 mi, TL, go 2 mi to CG on R. Pavement ends at Hole-In-The-Wall CG. Badly washboarded after another ~1 mi. 25′ RV limit, but there are a couple longer sites. Some shade left from 2005 fire. Clyde W Sisler #109916 Apr 12. Updated by Sam & Bob Flechtner #102683 viewed Apr 15. Reval by Kim & Greg Ketcher #140941 viewed Mar 21.

Black Canyon Rd roadside areas, Mojave Natl Preserve (NPS). No facilities. Free, OK w/ NPS. Stay limit unk. I-40 x100 (6.5 mi N of Essex on Essex Rd), go N 10 mi on Essex Rd (where becomes Mitchell Caverns Rd), bear R on Black Canyon Rd, 1) go ~2 mi, 2 entrances to area on E side of rd, just past lg rock pile, at a curve (~8 mi S of Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Ctr). N34 56.142 W115 24.814 & N34 56.181 W115 24.8. Many established sites w/ fire rings, most OK for lg rigs. 1st site 0.1 mi in at N34 56.11 W115 24.727. Ck further w/ sm vehicle – path gets sandy. Rick Schafer #81691 Mar 12. Reval by Sam & Bob Flechtner #102683 viewed Apr 15.
2) ~6 mi further N on Black Canyon Rd, N35 0.957 W115 23.096, go W 0.3 mi to lg-rig site. N35 0.97 W115 23.35. Other site(s) further W for hi-clearance vehicle. Rick Schafer #81691 Mar 12. Reval by Sam & Bob Flechtner #102683 viewed Apr 15.
3) 1.6 mi further N on Black Canyon Rd (~0.3 mi S of Visitor Ctr) at N35 2.314 W115 23.391, go W on Wild Horse Canyon Rd (washboarded). Site is 0.4 mi down rd, on R, can hold 4 or 5 rigs to 40′. N35 2.338 W115 23.918. Rick Schafer #81691 Mar 12. Updated by Sam & Bob Flechtner #102683 viewed Apr 15.

Providence Mountains SRA (Mitchell Caverns SP). Go 6.5 mi N of Essex on Essex Rd to I-40, go straight another 10 mi on Essex Rd to SRA/Caverns turnoff. Stay left toward Mitchell Caverns for 6 mi to Mitchell Caverns SP. 6 primitive sites, up to 32′ length, flush toilets, grills. $12/$10 for seniors 62+. 760-928-2586. Beautiful views, cavern tours all year (fees $4 for adult, $2 under 16, free under 6). Rick Schafer #81691 Mar 12. AREA CLOSED until further notice: REPORT NEEDED if/when found re-opened. Mar 14.

BD (BLM). 3 level BD spots. Free. I-40 x100, go S on Essex Rd. Quiet. ~0.3 mi on R (W), 34.7963 -115.3176. Room for 2-4 sm-med rigs. No easy turnaround w/ toad. Al & Sharon Florida #86865 viewed Apr 16.
~1 mi on R (W), 34.7896 -115.3091. Room for 2-6 sm-med rigs. No easy turnaround w/ toad. Lots of old construction trash in area. Al & Sharon Florida #86865 viewed Apr 16.
~5 mi on R (W), ~5 yards past power lines, 34.74948 -115.26236 (1.3 mi NW on Essex Rd from Rt 66/Natl Trails Hwy), area starts ~20 yards from rd. Lg area, room for many lg rigs. Easy lg-rig turnaround. PHOTO. Marianne Edwards #105918 Apr 11. Updated by Al & Sharon Florida #86865 stayed Apr 16.

Lg level gravel pullout. No prohibitive signs. S side I-40, EB side, just W of x100. Room for 2-4 rigs. Jim O’Briant & Kay Spencer #105663 viewed Jan 13. Reval by Al & Sharon Florida #86865 viewed Apr 16.