Most of California’s famous wildflower destinations come with a catch for dog owners — Antelope Valley’s poppy reserve bans dogs outright, Death Valley and Joshua Tree keep them off every trail, and even Anza-Borrego restricts pups to dirt roads. The Mojave National Preserve is the rare exception. Dogs on leash are welcome on every trail in the 1.6-million-acre preserve, and right now, through mid-to-late April, higher-elevation trails are hitting peak bloom in what observers are calling the best Mojave flower year since 2019.
The timing trick in the Mojave is that bloom peaks advance upslope about 1,000 feet every two weeks. Kelso Dunes and Hole-in-the-Wall already peaked in late March, but Cima Dome, Mid Hills, and the high peaks are just getting going. Here are five dog-friendly trails worth the drive while color is still out there.
Teutonia Peak Trail, Cima Dome
The Teutonia Peak Trail climbs three miles round-trip through the densest Joshua tree forest in the world, with desert mariposa lily, desert paintbrush, and beavertail cactus blooming alongside the trail at this elevation through late April. The climb is gradual until the rocky scramble near the summit, where views open up across Cima Dome and the surrounding basins. Dogs on leash are welcome the whole way, and the Joshua trees throw enough scattered shade to make a midmorning hike tolerable. The trailhead sits a short drive off I-15 near Cima, which makes this the easiest Mojave wildflower hike to reach from Las Vegas or the Inland Empire.
Kelso Dunes Trail
The rose-colored Kelso Dunes — the iconic landmark of Mojave National Preserve — sprawl across 45 square miles, and in a good year the lower slopes carpet with sand verbena, desert five-spot, and owl’s clover. The 2.7-mile out-and-back to the dune crest is strenuous — climbing loose sand is harder than it looks — but it’s worth it for the panoramic view and the chance to watch your dog bound down the face of a dune. Flower peak at this elevation was late March, but roadside blooms are still visible along Kelbaker Road, and the dunes themselves are worth the visit regardless. Go in late afternoon when low sun turns the sand pink, and bring booties — midday sand can scorch paw pads even in spring.
Rings Loop Trail, Hole-in-the-Wall
The Rings Loop Trail is the Mojave’s most playful short hike — a 1.5-mile loop that drops through a slot canyon using iron rings bolted into the rock as hand- and footholds. Dogs can do the trail on leash, though small or timid dogs may need a lift through the narrowest sections. The surrounding Hole-in-the-Wall area blooms late March through early April with desert willow and paintbrush, and petroglyphs are visible along several side paths. Pair the loop with the nearby visitor center, which is one of the few places in the preserve with reliable water and restrooms.
Mid Hills to Hole-in-the-Wall Trail
If your dog can handle eight miles of exposed desert, the Mid Hills to Hole-in-the-Wall Trail is the signature Mojave traverse. It drops 1,200 feet through barrel cactus, cholla, a burn scar from the Hackberry Fire, and past the sparkling white Opalite Cliffs. Peak bloom at Mid Hills elevation is mid-to-late April, which makes this week through next week the window. Navigation is the real challenge — dirt roads and cattle trails cross the route constantly, so bring a downloaded map and don’t wing it. Keep your dog leashed the whole way; cattle graze the allotment and rattlesnakes are active by midday in spring.
Rock Spring Loop Trail
For a shorter outing with reliable water, the Rock Spring Loop Trail circles a spring that has served desert travelers for generations. Creosote, yucca, and scattered spring blooms line the path, and the Hackberry and New York Mountains rise dramatically to the north. The moderate terrain and genuine shade near the spring make this the most dog-forgiving option on the list, and you’ll likely have the trail to yourself on weekdays.
Before you go
- Leash laws are enforced. Mojave National Preserve requires dogs on a six-foot leash on all trails and roads. Cactus spines, rattlesnakes, scorpions, and coyotes are all reasons this matters beyond the rulebook.
- Protect paws. Sand and rock get hot fast and cactus spines are everywhere. Booties or paw balm are worth packing, and a heatstroke refresher doesn’t hurt before desert hikes.
- Carry more water than you think you need. A gallon per dog per day is a starting point. Shade is scarce, and the only reliable water sources in the preserve are at Hole-in-the-Wall and Kelso visitor centers.
- Cell service is spotty to nonexistent. Download offline maps before you leave pavement, and tell someone your route and return time.
- Check current bloom conditions. The NPS Mojave wildflower page updates through the season with what’s blooming where.
Make a weekend of it
The Mojave rewards slow travel. Pair these hikes with a drive up the historic Mojave Road, a sunrise at Kelso Depot, or a stargazing night at Mid Hills or Hole-in-the-Wall campgrounds — both dog-friendly and both dark enough to see the Milky Way without trying. For the bigger picture, see our guide to moseying around the Mojave or the top five dog-friendly desert adventures in California. If Mojave blooms have already faded by the time you read this, our roundup of dog-friendly wildflower hikes to catch before spring fades covers trails further north that peak later in April. And when even those foothill blooms fade, the wildflowers climb into the high country through May and June — see our high-elevation dog-friendly wildflower hikes for where the show moves next.
Browse more dog-friendly hikes across the California Desert Region, and start planning your next desert trip.
