Vulcan Mine Road

The Mojave National Preserve (MNP) was established in 1994 and at 1,542,776 acres it is the third-largest National Park. On the western slope, near the Providence Mountain Range, and along Foshay Pass, is the largest human-made feature in the preserve known as Vulcan Mine. Vulcan Mine Road was built to haul iron ore to the railroad at Kelso. You can still follow this trail directly to the mine and even drive around the edges of the massive mine pit, looking to its bottom 100 feet below, while following a fence that has been placed to protect visitors. Abandoned in 1944, you can see how the desert, over 75 years, the desert has slowly taken back the once smooth asphalt road you are now taking to the mine. Along the way to the mine, enjoy views of the Providence Mountains rising on either side, and looking back in the distance are the equally massive but naturally occurring Kelso Dunes.