It is punctuated by steep red rocky mountains, rolling hills, open valleys, dry lake beds and sandy washes. Elevations range from 4,600 feet at Hartwell Hills to 2,300 feet at Melville Dry Lake. Vegetation consists of creosote scrub, annual grasses, wild flowers and Joshua Trees. Most visitors access the area off Camp Rock Road by driving north off of Highway 247. These are graded dirt roads.
Most visitors tour the area in four-wheel drive vehicles.
The area near Anderson and Soggy Dry Lakes is used extensively for competitive racing events and OHV free play. There are opportunities for hiking, rock hounding, and wildlife watching. Also, there are no passengers allowed on ATVs. Vehicles being operated at night must have head and tail lights. The desert tortoise lives here and is a federally protected species.