Overview
Mojave Air and Space Port occupies a unique place in aviation and aerospace history. Located in the small high-desert town of Mojave in Kern County, California, it became the first facility in the United States to be licensed by the FAA as a Civilian Flight Test Center, and later as a commercial spaceport. It sits at roughly 2,800 feet elevation on the edge of the Mojave Desert, giving it clear skies, low humidity, and stable air that test pilots and engineers prize.
The facility gained global attention in 2004 when SpaceShipOne, developed here by Scaled Composites, won the Ansari X Prize by becoming the first privately funded craft to reach space twice in two weeks. That milestone cemented Mojave's reputation as a cradle of the commercial space industry. Today tenants include aerospace startups, defense contractors, and aircraft maintenance companies alongside more established names — though the roster shifts over time, so verify current occupants locally.
For visitors, Mojave is less a conventional tourist destination and more a pilgrimage site for aviation enthusiasts. The aircraft storage and maintenance yards visible from the road, the occasional sight of experimental aircraft overhead, and the general atmosphere of serious technical work give the place an atmosphere found almost nowhere else in the United States.
Before You Go
Mojave Air and Space Port is an active, security-controlled facility. Public access to the airfield itself is restricted, and most of the interesting work happens behind fences. Casual visitors can view aircraft from public roads and the general perimeter, but do not expect to walk freely onto the ramp.
The town of Mojave (population a few thousand) has limited amenities, so stock up on water, snacks, and fuel before arriving if you are driving through the desert. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F (38°C); carry more water than you think you need. Winters are cold at night and can occasionally bring frost.
Visas
Entry requirements for the United States depend on your nationality. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section for guidance and consult the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website or the U.S. embassy in your home country for the most current rules.
- Bring a photo ID even for perimeter visits; private security may ask for identification near facility entrances.
- Photography from public roads is generally permitted, but avoid pointing cameras at anything marked restricted or at personnel who object.
- Cell coverage can be patchy in parts of the surrounding desert; download offline maps before you arrive.
Getting There
Mojave is located on California State Route 14, about 90 miles (145 km) north of Los Angeles and roughly 30 miles (48 km) east of Bakersfield. It is most practically reached by car.
By Car: From Los Angeles, take the I-5 north to CA-14 north through the Antelope Valley. The drive is straightforward and typically takes 90 minutes to two hours depending on traffic leaving the LA basin. From Bakersfield, take CA-58 east to Mojave; the drive is under an hour.
By Bus: Kern Regional Transit operates limited bus service connecting Mojave to the broader Kern County area, including Bakersfield. Schedules and routes change; verify current timetables at the Kern Transit website before planning your trip.
By Rail: Amtrak's Sunset Limited and other long-distance trains stop at Bakersfield, not Mojave. From Bakersfield you would need a rental car or connecting bus. There is no direct Amtrak stop in Mojave.
Nearest commercial airports with regular scheduled service are Los Angeles International (LAX) and Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR), both roughly 90–100 miles south. Car rental from those airports is the most practical option.
Getting Around
Mojave is a small, spread-out desert community and a personal vehicle is essentially required for any meaningful visit. There is no local transit within the town itself, and distances between points of interest — the spaceport perimeter, the aircraft storage yards visible along Airport Boulevard, and the handful of businesses on SR-14 — require driving.
Parking is generally easy and free at roadside pull-offs where aviation visitors typically stop to scan the aircraft fields with binoculars. Do not park in front of facility entrances or block access roads.
If you are combining Mojave with a broader Antelope Valley or High Desert itinerary, a full tank of gas at the start of the day is advisable; fuel stations in the surrounding area are spaced far apart.
Where to Stay
Accommodation directly in Mojave is limited to a small number of budget motels along the SR-14 corridor catering primarily to truckers, workers, and passing travelers. Standards vary; read recent reviews before booking.
For more comfortable or varied accommodation, most aviation-focused visitors base themselves in:
- Palmdale / Lancaster (Antelope Valley, about 30–40 miles south) — larger selection of chain hotels and restaurants
- Bakersfield (about 30 miles west) — full range of hotel options at various price points
If you are visiting for a specific event at the spaceport, book accommodation early; rooms in Mojave itself are limited and can fill quickly during any organized event.
Things to See & Do
Aircraft Viewing from Public Roads
The most accessible activity for general visitors is viewing the large numbers of stored, parked, and maintenance-stage aircraft visible from Airport Boulevard and the surrounding public road network. Commercial airliners in storage, smaller experimental aircraft, and occasionally unusual military or prototype types can be spotted, particularly with binoculars. The mix changes constantly as aircraft arrive and depart.
Mojave Air and Space Port Open House (Annual Event)
The spaceport has historically hosted periodic public open house events that allow credentialed visitors closer access to facilities and sometimes static aircraft displays. These events are not guaranteed every year and schedules vary — check the official Mojave Air and Space Port website (mojaveairport.com) for current announcements before visiting.
Aerospace Walk of Honor
The town of Mojave maintains a small Aerospace Walk of Honor commemorating test pilots and aerospace pioneers with plaques and monuments. It is a low-key but fitting tribute given the region's history and can be visited during a short walk through the downtown area.
Desert Scenery and Photography
The surrounding Mojave Desert landscape — open skies, Joshua trees, and distant mountain ranges including the Sierra Nevada to the northwest — offers rewarding landscape and aviation photography, particularly at dawn and dusk when light is softer and heat haze is reduced.
Edwards Air Force Base (Nearby)
For deeper aviation history, Edwards AFB — home of the Air Force Flight Test Center — is about 30 miles east. Public access is restricted, but its history is closely intertwined with Mojave's. The Air Force Flight Test Museum at Edwards opens to the public on certain days; verify current access and hours directly with the base before visiting.
Food & Drink
Dining options in Mojave town are limited to a small number of casual restaurants, fast-food chains along the SR-14 corridor, and convenience stores. Do not arrive expecting a wide culinary selection.
Several truck-stop style diners and chain fast-food outlets serve the community and travelers passing through on SR-14. For sit-down meals with broader choice, Rosamond (about 20 miles south) or California City offer slightly more options, while Bakersfield (30 miles west) has a full range of restaurants.
Alcohol is available at grocery and convenience stores; California's legal drinking age is 21. Carry ample water at all times — dehydration is a genuine risk in the desert, especially in summer.
Practical Information
Emergency Services
For any emergency in the United States, dial 911. Kern County Sheriff's Department covers the Mojave area; a small California Highway Patrol office also serves the SR-14 corridor.
Health
The primary health concerns in Mojave are heat-related illness and dehydration in summer, and cold exposure on winter nights. The nearest hospital with emergency services is in Palmdale or Bakersfield; Mojave has limited medical facilities. Carry a basic first-aid kit if you plan time outdoors.
Connectivity
Cell service is available from major US carriers but can be unreliable in the more remote stretches of the surrounding desert. Download maps offline and keep a paper backup of any critical directions.
Fuel and Supplies
Fill your tank before venturing into the broader High Desert; fuel prices and availability vary widely once you leave the main SR-14 corridor. Carry at minimum two liters of water per person per day in warm months, more in summer.
Safety
Mojave is a generally safe, quiet community. The most realistic risks for visitors are environmental — heat, dehydration, and the hazards of desert driving — rather than crime-related.
Never attempt to enter restricted areas of the spaceport or adjacent facility properties. Security is active, and trespassing on an FAA-licensed spaceport is a federal matter. If you are unsure whether an area is accessible, ask at the facility's main office or check the official website before your visit.
When driving SR-14 or desert roads around Mojave, watch for high winds (which can reduce visibility with blowing dust), occasional tumbleweed on the road, and trucks traveling at speed. Night driving on unlit desert roads requires particular care.
