Mojave Narrows Regional Park new equestrian facility draws excitement from horse community

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Nearly 100 attendees representing local equestrian groups and riders, as well as park visitors and residents, gathered for the official opening of the newly fabricated barn, corrals, stables and arena at Mojave Narrows Regional Park on Thursday, April 30, expressing strong enthusiasm for filling a much‑needed equestrian gap in the High Desert community of Victorville.

Before the ceremony began, local rancher Lee Graham and KW Riding Stables brought in horses for the corral and cattle for the pasture for attendees to get a feel for not only how the space was once used in the early days, but how it will be used moving forward.

Director of San Bernardino County Regional Parks Beahta Davis expressed her gratitude to the equestrian community and said she is excited to partner with a local group to offer equestrian activities to the public in the near future.

“Here we have a lot of park patrons who come up here every day riding their horses on the trail, this will help them not only to be able to use the corrals but also be able to host and include events and activities that will include the horses,” said Davis.

Speaking on behalf of First District Supervisor Col. Paul Cook (Ret.), Thurston “Smitty” Smith, First District Parks Advisory Commission commissioner and chair, said he looks forward to all the many uses that are going to come out of the facility.

“Today is a great day in the High Desert and for First District by enhancing the equestrian facilities at Mojave Narrows Regional Park and San Bernardino County, and expanding recreational opportunities so residents, campers, day visitors can connect with the existing park trail; you can ride your horse from here and go up and down the river for miles,” said Smith.

Approved by the Board of Supervisors in late 2024 for $1.6 million, Smith said the project is an investment for Regional Parks and First District residents.

As a county resident herself, Sarah Riley, project manager for San Bernardino County Projects and Facilities Management Department expressed that the project was very close to her heart and was especially meaningful for her because of the investment in a community space that will bring so much value for generations to come.

Several certificates of recognition were presented to Regional Parks for the beautification, revitalization and expansion of recreation at Mojave Narrows Regional Park by “Smitty” for First District Supervisor Col. Paul Cook (Ret.); Sonia Miranda from Congressman Jay Obernolte; Miriam Moreno from Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares; and Rosalinda Ortega from Assemblyman Tom Lackey.

A woman holds a little girl while feeding a horse. Another child being held looks on at the horse.

Two men flank a woman while she holds a certificate in front of open barn doors with the American flag and some metal chairs in the background.

A mother and daughter stand and smile inside a barn.

A group of people inside a barn with two women dressed in Western attire stare into the camera.

A woman dressed in Western attire carries the American flag while riding a horse in a dirt arena.

Local resident Jennifer Dunn said she was very excited about the new equestrian center. She added that she has been coming to Mojave Narrows since 1997 and used to volunteer, helping clean stalls with a friend for the previous concessionaire who operated a horseback riding business at the park.

“When I had my daughter, I brought her around horses and the last time she was here, I think she was about five and she did the pony ride; she wasn’t old enough yet to do the trails because she had to be seven, by that time they ended up closing down and I was super sad I couldn’t experience that with her,” said Dunn.

Her daughter, Emery Aydeltt, is an avid rider and she said she has a lot of riding experience and has been training for many years now.

“I love the arena and have been saving for a horse, so my dream is to get a horse and come here and do some barrels,” said Aydeltt.

Walker said she has been riding since she was age 10 and has been a member of Corral 103 for about 20 years.

“This is a beautiful site up here and it is very nice to have the arena to use while we are here. There are trails over there that you can come in and ride and don’t have to go through water… there’s plenty of area that you can ride, and the other thing is that is it shady,” said Walker.

Parks Advisory Commissioner at large Bob Mitchell was on hand to tour the new facilities. Mitchell, who is appointed to represent the citizens of San Bernardino County, was pleased with the new equestrian facilities and what it brings to the High Desert not only in recreation, but when disaster strikes.

“I think this is exciting. With this new barn and corral, it is easier for horses to be boarded overnight and adds accessibility. Over the years, Regional Parks has been accessed by fire crews to fight fires as well as a place for evacuees, so it is really critical that we have Regional Parks that can facilitate large quantities of people during those fires,” said Mitchell.

Many who attended were excited to see a piece of history brought back to the area and how this impacts the community in a positive way. Krystal Morales, 2025 Hesperia Wranglers Rodeo Queen, rode around in the arena with her horse Vegas while carrying the American flag and was very excited to see the new facilities as she entered the park.

“This facility is a huge impact in the community. We are very much a horse community here in the High Desert and a lot of people do not recognize that, but the High Desert was built on the back of a horse. We are very proud to have this facility here and I am so excited to explore the opportunities that it is going to bring our community,” said Morales.

She added that bringing in horse shows would be a great opportunity for the community. She also thanked San Bernardino County for bringing back this facility that will be explored and used for generations to come.

Mojave Narrows History

The land where Mojave Narrows Regional Park is currently located was once one of the largest cattle ranches in the area operating under the name of Rancho Verde that stretched from Lucerne Valley to Palmdale dating back to the 1890s.

In 1924, the northern portion of the land — approximately 1,900 acres — was acquired by Kemper B. Campbell and his wife, Litta Belle Campbell, both attorneys from Los Angeles. The Campbells referred to the property as North Verde Ranch and operated it as a cattle ranch until the 1930s. They then began transforming it into a guest ranch, promoting it as a desert retreat that drew lawyers, writers and Hollywood figures. The Campbells renamed the ranch to Kemper Campbell Ranch after their eldest son, Kemper, Jr., was killed during non-combat training in WWII. The Campbells had two other children, Joseph and Jean. Jean later married WWII airman Remo “Ray” De Blasis.

A large group of cattle ranchers sitting on their horses in a ranch corral setting.

A park garden with trees, walkway and a wooden post with donation box.

Celeste De Blasis Memorial Garden

Jean and Remo had two children, Celeste and David. Celeste, born in 1946, lived on the ranch until her death from lupus in 2001. As a published author, Celeste wrote many historical romance novels with her final book, Graveyard Peaches, publishing before her illness diagnosis. Her final book was a memoir, recounting her own experiences of growing up and living on a ranch in Victorville.

In 1975, Celeste’s mother, Jean, donated a portion of their ranch to Mojave Narrows Regional Park.

On April 22, Celeste was honored by the volunteer group, Friends of Mojave Narrows Regional Park, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony dedicating a new memorial garden inside the park in her honor for visitors to sit, rest, read and enjoy nature.

Davis added additional projects are planned in the next year or two at the park that include a new snack bar, equestrian-themed splash pad and accessible parking for the new De Blasis memorial garden.

The Kemper Campbell Ranch original main adobe house and guest rooms are still in operation and are available as vacation and getaway rentals. For more information on the Kemper Campbell Ranch, visit kempercampbellranch.com.

For more information on Regional Parks, visit parks.sbcounty.gov or follow Regional Parks on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest on parks news and events.

Additional County Update News – May 7, 2026