Rock Spring is a desert spring and historic site in the eastern Mojave National Preserve, used over the centuries by Native people, the Army, miners, and ranchers. An easy one-mile loop visits the spring, interpretive signs, and a historic stone house.
Details
- Type
- Historic Site
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
Last verified: 6/13/2026
Overview
Water made Rock Spring a gathering point for generations. It was one of the spring-side posts the Army used along the Mojave Road in the 1860s, and later a ranching site. The stone Rock House near the spring dates to the 1920s and still stands.
What to See
The Rock Spring Loop Trail runs about a mile through boulders and desert wash to the spring and the Rock House, with interpretive signs on the area's long human history. Birds concentrate around the water, especially during migration.
Getting There
The trailhead is off Cedar Canyon Road in the eastern preserve. There are no services; carry water and check road conditions, which change with weather.