Multiyear Road Closure Hits Major California Desert Preserve

A 42-mile infrastructure overhaul is coming to Southern California, and the National Park Service is warning drivers to expect multiyear travel disruptions.

Starting November 16, construction crews will shut down major thoroughfares crossing the Mojave National Preserve.

The initial closures go beyond standard traffic delays, severing all vehicle access to popular hiking trailheads, towering sand dunes, and primitive camping destinations.

The phased project will force visitors to rethink their itineraries as the agency begins ripping up decades-old asphalt across the desert corridors.

Nov. 16 South Kelbaker Closure Blocks Kelso Dunes Camping

The National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration will begin work on approximately 42 miles of Kelso-Cima Road and South Kelbaker Road. The project is expected to continue through 2029.

The first construction phase will close South Kelbaker Road between Kelso and the preserve’s southern boundary near Interstate 40, according to the NPS’s current conditions and closure notice.

The closure will also affect access to three recreation areas:

• Kelso Dunes primitive camping area.

• Granite Pass/Kelbaker Boulders primitive camping area.

These locations will remain closed until the South Kelbaker construction phase is complete.

The closure does not mean the entire preserve will shut down. The NPS currently lists Kelso-Cima Road, the Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center, and its campground among the open routes and facilities.

Visitors heading to Hole-in-the-Wall from Interstate 40 can use Essex Road and Black Canyon Road.

However, the roadwork will progress in phases, meaning additional closures and travel disruptions are expected as construction moves across the 42-mile project area.

42-Mile Kelso-Cima Overhaul Targets Drainage and Narrow Shoulders

The aging roads have deteriorating pavement, narrow shoulders, and drainage problems that leave them vulnerable to extreme temperatures and seasonal flooding.

The rehabilitation will involve removing existing asphalt, installing a new road base, and resurfacing the affected sections. Planned safety improvements include wider shoulders, adjusted road alignments, improved sightlines, and modifications to difficult curves.

The project will also strengthen existing low-water crossings, install fencing to help desert tortoises cross safely, and improve the Granite Pass parking area.

The NPS project plans also include a welcome area and scenic pullouts.

The improvements are intended to reduce vehicle accidents and make the preserve’s main paved corridors more resilient to desert weather.

Funding comes partly from the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund.

Nov. 9 Microsoft Teams Virtual Meeting Details Phased Closures

Visitors and nearby residents can attend a virtual public meeting on Monday, November 9, at 4 p.m. Pacific Time.

Park staff will discuss the construction phases, anticipated closures, and potential effects on visitors, with time for questions.

The meeting will take place through Microsoft Teams. Details are available in the National Park Service’s project announcement.

The NPS advises motorists to check its Mojave National Preserve road conditions page before departure.

Road closures may add substantial driving time, particularly for motorists crossing the preserve.

More National Parks News

This story was originally published by TravelHost on Nov 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Attractions section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.