The Mojave National Preserve is probably what most people think of when you say that you're going on a trip to the Mojave. Located just south of Death Valley and just west of the California-Nevada border, it encompasses 1.6 million acres of land that remain largely unchanged for the last 100+ years. The preserve can be visited any time of year and in any type of vehicle, though naturally some locations are reachable only with high-clearance 4WD. Whether you go to visit old mines, climb signing sand dunes, have an offroad adventure, or walk in the footsteps of adventurers of old, leave plenty of time to be awed by what you find. Stop and gawk at the Joshua Trees. Snap a photo of the fiery cholla glowing in the afternoon sun. Just remember - it's our job as to keep it largely unchanged, for generations to come.

Note: While the Mojave National Preserve is largely sandwiched between two major highways, there are areas within the preserve that are extremely remote, with only a handful of visitors each year. Plan accordingly. Know where you can get fuel and water, and carry extra. If you are travelling alone, be extremely cautious - if you get stuck out here, it could be many days before someone else comes along to help.

• If you're visiting, a Mojave National Preserve Map is a great resource to have.
• Conditions can change rapidly in the desert - check before you go.

If Mojave National Preserve is on your short list of places to visit, here are some Mojave National Preserve highlights worth checking out, or jump straight into one of the trips below.

Alternatively, for even more, broaden your horizons to the entirety of the Mojave Desert - there's so much more than just the National Preserve.