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Providence Mountains State Recreation Area is located on the east side of the Providence Mountain range and has dramatic views of the surrounding Mojave Desert. The lower elevations feature many varieties of cactus and yucca in a creosote scrub habitat. The bright red rhyolite in the higher elevations are home to bighorn sheep and pinyon pines. The park's visitor center is located in the historic home of Jack and Ida Mitchell, who ran a resort here from 1934 through 1954.
Other features include Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve. El Pakiva and Tecopa Caverns are filled with intricate limestone formations and can be visited by taking cavern tours.
Park News Alert
Providence Mountains will be closed until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Providence Mountains will be closed until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Getting There
The park is located in the eastern Mojave Desert off of Interstate 40, 56 miles west of Needles, 116 miles east of Barstow, and 16 miles northwest of the Essex Road exit. Located at an elevation of 4,300 feet, the park is surrounded by one of the newest National Parks, 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.
The park is located in the eastern Mojave Desert off of Interstate 40, 56 miles west of Needles, 116 miles east of Barstow, and 16 miles northwest of the Essex Road exit. Located at an elevation of 4,300 feet, the park is surrounded by one of the newest National Parks, 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. Temperatures inside the caverns are at a constant 65 degrees.
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. Temperatures inside the caverns are at a constant 65 degrees.
Operating Hours & Contact
Please contact the park for hours of operation.
Telephone: 760-928-2586
Please contact the park for hours of operation.
Telephone: 760-928-2586
Activities & Tours
The Mary Beale Nature Trail, located near the park's visitor center, is a self-guided moderate walk through the desert. A brochure describing desert plants and animals is available. Another, more strenuous, mile-long trail leads to a spring above the visitor center. There are also cross-country hikes to the many peaks in the Providence Mountain State Recreation Area.
Tour Times:
All tours of Mitchell Caverns are suspended until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.
________________________________________
The following information has been left on this site for reference purposes only.
The tour times for the Caverns are 1:30 Saturday and Sunday. (No tours during the week)
Winter Schedule
Labor Day to Memorial Day
Weekends: 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM
Weekdays: 1:30 PM
Tour fees are $6 for adult, $3 for children aged 6-16. Children 5 years old and under are free, but not recommended. Tour times and fees may change without notice.
Tours are limited to 25 persons, and often sell out on busy weekends and holiday weeks. Tour reservations are required for groups of ten or more. Reservations are by mail and must be made at least 3 weeks in advance; a form will be mailed to you at your request by calling (760) 928-2586.
Mitchell Caverns, located in the heart of the Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, is a popular tourist attraction. Spectacular and intricate limestone formations found include stalagmites, stalactites, helictites, lily pads, draperies, curtains and popcorn. First opened for tours by Jack Mitchell in 1932, the caverns were purchased by the State in 1954. They are the only limestone caverns in the State Park System.
The Mary Beale Nature Trail, located near the park's visitor center, is a self-guided moderate walk through the desert. A brochure describing desert plants and animals is available. Another, more strenuous, mile-long trail leads to a spring above the visitor center. There are also cross-country hikes to the many peaks in the Providence Mountain State Recreation Area.
Tour Times:
All tours of Mitchell Caverns are suspended until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.
________________________________________
The following information has been left on this site for reference purposes only.
The tour times for the Caverns are 1:30 Saturday and Sunday. (No tours during the week)
Winter Schedule
Labor Day to Memorial Day
Weekends: 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM
Weekdays: 1:30 PM
Tour fees are $6 for adult, $3 for children aged 6-16. Children 5 years old and under are free, but not recommended. Tour times and fees may change without notice.
Tours are limited to 25 persons, and often sell out on busy weekends and holiday weeks. Tour reservations are required for groups of ten or more. Reservations are by mail and must be made at least 3 weeks in advance; a form will be mailed to you at your request by calling (760) 928-2586.
Mitchell Caverns, located in the heart of the Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, is a popular tourist attraction. Spectacular and intricate limestone formations found include stalagmites, stalactites, helictites, lily pads, draperies, curtains and popcorn. First opened for tours by Jack Mitchell in 1932, the caverns were purchased by the State in 1954. They are the only limestone caverns in the State Park System.
Camping
There are six campsites, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Primitive campsites have flush toilets, picnic tables and fire rings; no showers are available.
Max Camper Length: 32 Feet
Max Trailer Length: 31 Feet
There are six campsites, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Primitive campsites have flush toilets, picnic tables and fire rings; no showers are available.
Max Camper Length: 32 Feet
Max Trailer Length: 31 Feet
Tips & Rules
• In order to protect the fragile limestone formations, the caverns may be seen only on guided tours.
• Bring your own drinking water—the park’s water supply is limited—and extra food and gasoline. Gas stations and stores are many miles away.
• Respect the desert climate. Dress appropriately for extremes of weather; winter can bring high winds and cold, wet or even snowy weather.
• No smoking is allowed on trails, in the caverns, or during tours.
• Pets are permitted only in the campground and near the visitor center. They must be under a person’s immediate control and on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. They must not be left in vehicles under any circumstances. Clean up after your pet.
• Do not enter caves or mines without a permit or approved prior arrangements.
• Stay alert and watchful for rattlesnakes, cactus spines and tree thorns. Stay on trails for your safety.
• Camping is permitted only in the designated campsites.
• In order to protect the fragile limestone formations, the caverns may be seen only on guided tours.
• Bring your own drinking water—the park’s water supply is limited—and extra food and gasoline. Gas stations and stores are many miles away.
• Respect the desert climate. Dress appropriately for extremes of weather; winter can bring high winds and cold, wet or even snowy weather.
• No smoking is allowed on trails, in the caverns, or during tours.
• Pets are permitted only in the campground and near the visitor center. They must be under a person’s immediate control and on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. They must not be left in vehicles under any circumstances. Clean up after your pet.
• Do not enter caves or mines without a permit or approved prior arrangements.
• Stay alert and watchful for rattlesnakes, cactus spines and tree thorns. Stay on trails for your safety.
• Camping is permitted only in the designated campsites.
Vegetation & Wildlife
The plants growing in the Mojave Desert are tough survivors, and many are prized for their medicinal properties. Drought-resistant piñon pines, junipers and scrub oaks thrive in the canyon above Crystal Springs. Drifts of wildflowers, such as the perennial Mormon tea, can be seen in spring. Other species include the evergreen cliff rose, Mojave and banana yucca and barrel cactus.
The animal species occupying this landscape include badgers – aggressive carnivores that prey on the park’s antelope squirrels, cottontail rabbits and small rodents. Various lizard and snake species do well in this habitat. Rarely, bighorn sheep are seen, and predators such as mountain lions, coyotes, gray foxes and bobcats hunt in the dark hours. Plentiful bird species include Gambel’s quails, piñon jays, roadrunners and cactus wrens. Inside the caverns, elusive cave species include ringtails - small, carnivorous raccoon-like mammals – and Townsend’s big-eared bats. Many cavern dwellers are nearly invisible. Tiny crablike creatures are called stingerless pseudoscorpions. Spider-like Niptus beetles are found only in the El Pakiva Cave at the caverns but nowhere else on Earth.
The plants growing in the Mojave Desert are tough survivors, and many are prized for their medicinal properties. Drought-resistant piñon pines, junipers and scrub oaks thrive in the canyon above Crystal Springs. Drifts of wildflowers, such as the perennial Mormon tea, can be seen in spring. Other species include the evergreen cliff rose, Mojave and banana yucca and barrel cactus.
The animal species occupying this landscape include badgers – aggressive carnivores that prey on the park’s antelope squirrels, cottontail rabbits and small rodents. Various lizard and snake species do well in this habitat. Rarely, bighorn sheep are seen, and predators such as mountain lions, coyotes, gray foxes and bobcats hunt in the dark hours. Plentiful bird species include Gambel’s quails, piñon jays, roadrunners and cactus wrens. Inside the caverns, elusive cave species include ringtails - small, carnivorous raccoon-like mammals – and Townsend’s big-eared bats. Many cavern dwellers are nearly invisible. Tiny crablike creatures are called stingerless pseudoscorpions. Spider-like Niptus beetles are found only in the El Pakiva Cave at the caverns but nowhere else on Earth.
Accessible Features
Camping: A small 6-site campground has two fairly level sites (#1 and 2) that are generally accessible in fair weather. Parking: The campground is adjacent to a level paved parking lot. Restroom: An accessible unisex toilet room at the west end of the campground serves the campground and the Visitor Center. Drinking fountain and telephone are generally accessible.
Visitor Center: Interior design is mostly accessible. Parking: Park at the lower lot and use the accessible route of travel to the visitor center.
Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve Tour: The cavern tour requires a 1.5-mile round trip from the visitor center and assistance may be needed with slopes and uneven surfaces. There is a handrail on one side. Once inside, the path is firm and stable, many of the stairs are uniform heights, and there are some handrails. The cavern formations create areas as low as 62 inches and as narrow as 14 inches.
Camping: A small 6-site campground has two fairly level sites (#1 and 2) that are generally accessible in fair weather. Parking: The campground is adjacent to a level paved parking lot. Restroom: An accessible unisex toilet room at the west end of the campground serves the campground and the Visitor Center. Drinking fountain and telephone are generally accessible.
Visitor Center: Interior design is mostly accessible. Parking: Park at the lower lot and use the accessible route of travel to the visitor center.
Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve Tour: The cavern tour requires a 1.5-mile round trip from the visitor center and assistance may be needed with slopes and uneven surfaces. There is a handrail on one side. Once inside, the path is firm and stable, many of the stairs are uniform heights, and there are some handrails. The cavern formations create areas as low as 62 inches and as narrow as 14 inches.
Community Trips
We camped at Hole in the Wall. What a unique place! The scenery is great, and the desert vegetation very cool. Lots of cactus and Joshua Trees. The kids loved it. The weather was nice. Highly recommended. Will add photos later.
Have wanted to hike to the top of the Granite Mountains since I first camped at its base 15 years ago. The primary purpose of this trip, other than to escape the madness of urban living, was to finally hike to its peak. Well I didn't accomplish this goal as I realized that you cannot go from a desk job to hiking a mountain without some serious training. Not that I was out...
An exhausting walk in the sand of the Kelso Dunes at Sunset.This is an awesome place. The sand allows for many animal tracks to be visible. The most fun are the Kangaroo Rat tracks. You see two rear feet next to each other with a straight line between them. The line is left by the rat's tail.Walking in the sand was very exhausting, all the more since there were dozens of up...
