California’s Mitchell Caverns are a hidden gem out in the Mojave National Preserve, where visitors can see ancient cave elements including stalagmites, stalactites, and curtains.
Public access is only possible via ranger-guided tours, but if you’re willing to make the four-hour drive from L.A., you’re in for a treat.
Here’s a closer look…
A brief history of the Mitchell Caverns
The Mitchell Caverns are operated by California State Parks as part of the Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, although they are located within the Mojave National Preserve, which is National Park Service territory.
The caverns consist of three limestone caves formed during the Pleistocene epoch, which was the last Ice Age occurring 2.58 million to 11,700 years ago. In fact, crews found the upper arm bones of a giant Shasta Ground Sloth in the caverns, which were dated to be over 30,000 years old.
The Chemehuevi people lived in the Providence Mountains for hundreds of years, calling the cave’s dual entrances the “eyes of the mountain.”
From the 1930s until 1954, Jack and Ida Mitchell operated the caverns as a Route 66 resort, hosting tours of the caverns for travelers.
The area was then incorporated into the California State Park system, which continues to guide tours today. Visitors are treated to stunning limestone formations including dramatic stalactites and stalagmites.
Visiting the Mitchell Caverns
It takes roughly 3.5-4.5 hours to reach the Providence Mountains State Recreation Area by car from Los Angeles. Visitors can see two of the three caves, El Pakiva and Tecopa, by reserving a spot on a cave tour.
In January and February 2026, the tours are available once daily with 20 spots per tour. The journey includes a 1.5 mile “vigorous” roundtrip hike and a 2 hour guided tour of the caves.
The Mitchell Caverns are located within the Mojave National Preserve, which is also famous for having the largest Joshua tree forest in the world, as well as the “singing” Kelso sand dunes.
🌐 Learn more: Providence Mountains State Recreation Area