The route from Los Angeles to Las Vegas is a well-beaten path. While it's possible to drive directly from point A to B, covering 270 miles in about four hours, many travelers take their time, enjoying a road trip through vast sand dunes, abandoned silver mining towns, and Death Valley National Park, famous for its surreal Mars-like landscapes. Another interesting stop to consider is Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, featuring quiet hiking trails and breathtaking desert scenery.
Located about
two hours southwest of Las Vegas in the Mojave National Preserve, the California state park offers three trails. The Mary Beal Nature Trail begins at the park's visitor center, leading visitors on an easy half-mile stroll through a landscape of desert plants, including banana yucca, cholla, barrel cactus, pinon pines, junipers, and, in spring, wildflowers. Niña Mora Trail, which takes 30 to 45 minutes to explore, is also framed by succulents and sweeping desert views. Moderate in difficulty, it's a good option for birdwatchers.
Read more: The 5 Best Parks Where You Can See Bison Roam (Other Than Yellowstone), According To Visitors
Discover Mitchell Caverns
The third trail in the park, known as the Cave Trail, offers especially striking views of the surrounding scenery. The route begins at the visitor center and follows the contours of the mountains on the way to Mitchell Caverns, the park's main attraction. The 1.5-mile loop is worthwhile even if you're not planning on visiting the caverns, but a guided tour is highly recommended.
Mitchell Caverns has two caves: El Pakiva ("the Devil's House") and Tecopa, named after a Shoshonean chieftain. Both are filled with fascinating details from stalagmites and stalactites to cave coral, and both serve as natural habitats for bats and pseudoscorpions. While you can walk the trails on your own, expert guides provide insight into the caves' history and lively ecosystems. It's recommended that you book your tour in advance online.
You can tour Mitchell Caverns at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. from October through May, and at 10 a.m. only in June and September. Guided tours cost $20 per person ($10 for kids). Guided tours last two hours, not including the time it takes to navigate the out-and-back trail from the visitor center. If you love Mitchell Caverns, there's another popular underground California national park that's reopening for the first time in years: Crystal Cave.
Plan A Visit To Providence Mountains State Recreation Area
Providence Mountains State Recreation Area is open from Friday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., from September to June. The park is closed in July and August, as well as on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Generally speaking, weather conditions are most favorable in spring and fall, though the caverns stay comfortably cool throughout the year.
If you stop by for a few hours, you'll pay the day-use fee of $10 per vehicle. But it's possible to stay overnight at one of a handful of developed campsites ($25 per night) if you reserve ahead of time. Regardless of how long you plan to spend in the area, visitors should bring plenty of food and water, as there's none available at the park. Sunscreen and a good map are also essential, as cell phone reception is unreliable in the desert. The closest gas station is 22 miles away in Fenner, California, while hotels and restaurants are nearly an hour away by car in Needles, a California city near the Arizona border.
For most travelers, the state park is a stop on a road trip, not a convenient area to base oneself. Providence Mountains State Recreation Area is roughly a two-hour drive from Las Vegas and its international airport, or 3.5 hours from Los Angeles. A car is necessary to get to and explore this remote area. The park also notes that some navigation apps may provide unreliable directions, so double-check that you know the route before heading out.
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