Kelso Depot Visitor Center
Facility · California ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Mojave National Preserve (National Preserve) · Open Access
- 2,126 ft
- Elevation
Originally opened in 1924 as a train station, Kelso Depot was renovated and reopened in 2005 as a Visitor Center for Mojave National Preserve. Exhibits include a baggage room; ticket office and two dormitory rooms have been furnished to illustrate depot life during the first half of the twentieth century. Note: Kelso Depot is temporarily closed for rehabilitation. Wifi calling is available at the Kelso Depot parking lot. The contract is underway, and work is being performed according to schedule.
Getting there
From I-15: Exit Kelbaker Road at Baker, Calif., and drive south 34 miles to Kelso Depot.
From I-40: Exit Kelbaker Road (28 miles east of Ludlow, Calif.) and drive north 22 miles to Kelso Depot.
35.01218, -115.65315 · 35°0'43.8"N 115°39'11.4"W
Typical weather
Typically 92°F in Jul, down to 53°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 54 | 55 | 62 | 68 | 77 | 87 | 92 | 91 | 85 | 74 | 62 | 53 |
| Low °F | 40 | 41 | 45 | 50 | 58 | 69 | 73 | 72 | 68 | 57 | 47 | 40 |
| Precip in | 1.3 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.6 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Kelso Depot Visitor Center
- Can you reserve a site at Kelso Depot Visitor Center?
- No. Kelso Depot Visitor Center is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near Kelso Depot Visitor Center
- Mid Hills Campground 14.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Hole-in-the-Wall Campground 15 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground 15.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center 14.7 mi · Facility
- Route 66 (Piute Crossing) 32.6 mi · Facility
- Soda Mountains WSA 35.7 mi · Facility
- Walking Box Ranch 47.8 mi · Facility
- Avawatz Mountains WSA 49.4 mi · Facility
- Big Pine Flat Family Campground 51.9 mi · Campground
- Dispersed-Jean/Roach Dry Lakes 58.8 mi · Facility
- Havasu Wilderness 59.8 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone (760) 252-6100
- Email MOJA_Superintendent@nps.gov
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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