By SUZANNE HURT
The Press-Enterprise
Popular Mitchell Caverns in the eastern Mojave Desert’s Providence Mountains will re-open on a limited schedule in early November, a state park official said Friday, Sept. 8.
Providence Mountains State Recreation Area between Barstow and Needles – and its limestone caves — have been closed since January 2011 over infrastructure issues, including a bad well.
Park officials are hiring, while fans of the caverns, one of only two public “show caves” in Southern California, are rejoicing via social media.
State parks’ Tehachapi District Acting Superintendent Russ Dingman said he was thrilled to announce the re-opening, which comes in time for the fall busy season.
“I think it’s one of the hidden jewels of the state parks department,” he said.
The remote park will be open for day use only from 8 a.m. Friday through Sunday and on holidays starting Nov. 3 until more staff is hired.
Two tours will be offered daily, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The campground is expected to open in about six months. The closest campground is nearby Hole-In-The-Wall Campground in Mojave National Preserve. There also are motels in Barstow and Needles, Dingman said.
Park officials are now hiring seasonal park aides and maintenance aides.
State park officials had hoped to reopen the state recreation area in May or June. That was delayed until a septic tank could be replaced and trail work finished after the heat of summer passed.
For more information, check out parks.ca.gov/ or call 760-928-2586.
