Just north of Van Winkle Mountain in the southern portion of the Preserve. 

Late afternoon view from the New York Mountains.  Ivanpah Valley in the midground, and Clark Mountain in the distance.

A bird of prey perched on a creosote by the roadside in the Ivanpah Valley.

A Mojave fringe-toed lizard at the Kelso Dunes.  These lizards are specially adapted for sandy habitat.

Remember to drive slowly and watch for wildlife in the Preserve.  This tortoise was crossing Kelso Dunes Road in the morning.

If you're lucky you may spot a desert tortoise during a hike or along the road.  Remember to keep your distance so they can go about their daily routine.

Thunderstorms build in the distance beyond the Providence Mountains, as seen from the Ivanpah Valley.

Best time to hike these dunes is during a cool morning, with plenty of water. 

A hummingbird rests on a Desert Willow branch at the Kelso Depot in the Mojave National Preserve.

Bighorn sheep near Soda Dry Lake and Zzyzx Spring in the northwestern portion of the Preserve.

Bighorn sheep near Zzzyzx Spring in the northwestern portion of the Preserve.

The brilliant red bloom of the Mojave mound cactus can be spotted in the Preserve during the spring.

Dune primrose blooming among the Kelso Dunes.

With proper clearance and sometimes 4x4, there are plenty of backcountry roads to explore. Check the National Park Service map for more information on open routes.

A blister beetle on a paper bag push.  They are brilliant orange and black and generally mind their own business. Just don't bother a blister beetle or you'll end up in pain.

A cactus wren sits atop a yucca plant near the Granite Mountains, Mojave National Preserve.  These birds have a very distinct call. 

When you are hiking in the Preserve, keep an eye out for whiptail lizards, often seen darting from bushes as you walk past.

Cactus, yucca, and granite boulders frame the sunset near the Granite Mountains in the Mojave National Preserve.

We believe these are desert tortoise tracks in sand near the Kelso Dunes, Mojave National Preserve.

A phainopepla hanging out near Soda Mountain, Mojave National Preserve.

A scorpion glows under a hand-held black light in the southern portion of the Mojave National Preserve.  These creatures are nocturnal and may look creepy to some, but they play a vital role in the ecosystem.

You're out hiking (with plenty of water, of course) in the middle of the day, and you hear this persistent buzzing sound.  You'd be surprised to find out that the loud noise is coming from such a small insect.  This cicada was found hanging upside down on a cholla cactus in the Preserve.

The Milky Way glows in the night sky over the Mojave National Preserve. Located deep in the desert and away from the big cities, it's easier to gaze upon a sky full of stars.

A setting sun lit up an otherwise overcast sky with pink hues over the Castle Mountains.  President Obama designated the Castle Mountains National Monument in February 2016, and it borders the Mojave National Preserve.  This area was under threat by expanded mining and energy development before it was designated as a monument.