Castle Mountains National Monument
Castle Mountains represents some of the most unique elements of the Mojave Desert. Nestled between the Nevada state line and Mojave National Preserve, the nearly 21,000 acres of Castle Mountains boasts Joshua tree forests, unbroken natural landscapes, rare desert grasslands, and rich human history. This intriguing area provides serenity and solitude from nearby metropolitan areas.
About 1.5 hours from Las Vegas and 2 hours from Riverside by car.
Alerts
- CautionNPS ↗Fire restrictions in place
Fire restrictions are in place at Mojave National Preserve and Castle Mountains National Monument. Wood and charcoal fires are not permitted. Most camp stoves are. See fire restriction order for additional details.
- CautionMost Monument Roads Require Heavy Duty 4WD Vehicle to Travel Safely
Breaking down in the remote monument can be a life-threatening emergency. Most roads require a well-equipped, heavy-duty 4WD vehicle to travel. 2WD high clearance vehicles must use Walking Box Ranch Rd for entry and exit. No Visitor Facilities Available.
- InformationNo Hunting Allowed in Castle Mountains National Monument
Hunting is illegal in Castle Mountains National Monument
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
Castle Mountains National Monument does not require an entrance fee.
Hours
| Castle Mountains | Daily · All Day |
No campgrounds, no webcams, no things to do or events in Park Service data. What is here comes from the official page. The rest lives there.
Checked nightly. Modules appear as soon as the Park Service publishes the data.
Explore
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- Pipeline CorralStructure · Goffs · 5.3 mi
- Barnwell Rslcc HeadquartersHistoric district · Nipton · 8 mi
- Dove CorralStructure · Nipton · 8 mi
- Payne CorralStructure · Cima · 12.6 mi
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Guidebooks for California's national parks
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Activities
Activity guides for this park Camping in the national parks
Weather & climate
Weather at Castle Mountains changes with the seasons. Freezing temperatures are expected in winter, with occasional snow. Spring brings mild warm days and cooler nights. With enough rain, wildflowers can carpet the area, making for spectacular displays. Summer months are much hotter, with temperatures nearing 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Strong monsoonal storms in late summer may cause flash-flooding in low-lying areas and can create hazardous road conditions. Fall is a cooler respite after the heat of summer.
Questions people ask
Does Castle Mountains charge an entrance fee?
No. Castle Mountains is free to enter.
Source: National Park Service
Is Castle Mountains open year-round?
Yes. The grounds are open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Source: National Park Service
Is anything closed at Castle Mountains right now?
3 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: Fire restrictions in place; No Hunting Allowed in Castle Mountains National Monument; and more.
Source: Alerts
Is there cell service at Castle Mountains?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show AT&T 5G. No reported coverage for Verizon and T-Mobile. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is the weather like at Castle Mountains?
Weather at Castle Mountains changes with the seasons. Freezing temperatures are expected in winter, with occasional snow.
Source: Weather & climate
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
