Aiken Mine Road

The Mojave National Preserve (MNP) was established in 1994 and at 1,542,776 acres it is the third-largest National Park. The areas designated as Wilderness restrict all vehicles from remaining in a natural state by minimizing human impact. Aiken Mine Road supported the transportation of cinder from the Aiken Cinder Mine and now navigates a narrow corridor between the designated Wilderness and leads you to some of the most interesting and memorable destinations in the Preserve. The destinations include the Lava Tube, which allows you to hike underground in the tube, the huge abandoned Aiken Cinder Mine, and one of the world's largest and most dense joshua tree forests. In 1990, the Aiken Cinder Mine operations were closed, and the equipment was left in place, much of which you can see today. The National Park Service treats the mines as another chapter in the Preserve's history with no plans to remove the remnants. In addition to the destinations, Aiken Mine Road passes dramatic volcanic cinder cones, and you will get up close to extensive black basalt lava flows. An easy road for any skill level, but a 4-wheel drive is recommended. Pets are welcome in the MNP but must be kept on a leash per the Pet Guidlines.