The Mojave Desert
We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Mojave Desert - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Calico Ghost Town
This former silver-mining boom town was founded in 1881, and, within a few years, it boasted 500 mines and 22 saloons. Its reconstruction by Walter...
This former silver-mining boom town was founded in 1881, and, within a few years, it boasted 500 mines and 22 saloons. Its reconstruction by Walter Knott of Knott’s Berry Farm makes it more about G-rated family entertainment than the town’s gritty past, but that doesn’t seem to take away from the fun of panning for (fool’s) gold, touring the original tunnels of Maggie Mine, or taking a leisurely ride on the Calico Odessa Railroad. Five of the original buildings are still standing, such as the impressive Lane’s General Store, and its setting among the stark beauty of the Calico Hills can make a stroll along this once-bustling Main Street downright peaceful. Calico also has ghost tours and regular events such as the yearly bluegrass festival on Mother's Day weekend.
36600 Ghost Town Rd., Yermo, California, 92398, USA760-254–1123Sight Details
Rate Includes: $8, Daily 9–5 -
2. Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex
Friendly and enthusiastic staffers conduct guided tours of this 53-square-mile complex at Fort Irwin Military Base, 35 miles north of Barstow. Tours start at the...
Friendly and enthusiastic staffers conduct guided tours of this 53-square-mile complex at Fort Irwin Military Base, 35 miles north of Barstow. Tours start at the Goldstone Museum, where exhibits detail past and present space missions and Deep Space Network history. From there, you'll drive out to see the massive concave antennas, starting with those used for early manned space flights and culminating with the 24-story-tall "listening" device. This is one of only three complexes in the world that make up the Deep Space Network, tracking and communicating with spacecraft throughout our solar system. Appointments are required; contact the complex to reserve a slot.
681 N. 1st Ave., Barstow, California, 92311, USA760-255–8688Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun., Guided tours by appointment only -
3. Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
In 1941, after the construction of Parker Dam, President Franklin D. Roosevelt set aside Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, a 30-mile stretch of land along the...
In 1941, after the construction of Parker Dam, President Franklin D. Roosevelt set aside Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, a 30-mile stretch of land along the Colorado River between Needles and Lake Havasu City. Best seen by boat, this beautiful waterway is punctuated with isolated coves, sandy beaches, and Topock Marsh, a favorite nesting site of herons, egrets, and other waterbirds. You can see wonderful petroglyphs on the rocky red canyon cliffs of Topock Gorge. The refuge has three points that provide boat access to Topock Marsh, though not to the lower Colorado River. Spring is by far the best time to visit, as the river is more likely to be robust and wildflowers in bloom.
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4. Kelso Dunes
As you enter the preserve from the south, you'll pass miles of open scrub brush, Joshua trees, and beautiful red-black cinder cones before encountering the...
As you enter the preserve from the south, you'll pass miles of open scrub brush, Joshua trees, and beautiful red-black cinder cones before encountering the Kelso Dunes. These golden, fine-sand slopes cover 70 square miles, reaching heights of 600 feet. You can reach them via a short walk from the main parking area, but be prepared for a serious workout. When you reach the top of a dune, kick a little bit of sand down the lee side and listen to the sand "sing." North of the dunes, in the town of Kelso, is the Mission revival–style Kelso Depot Visitor Center. The striking building, which dates from 1923, contains several rooms of desert- and train-theme exhibits.
Mojave National Preserve, California, 92309, USA760-252–6100Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Visitor center daily 9–5, Kelso Depot visitor center closed Tues. and Wed. -
5. Manzanar National Historic Site
A reminder of an ugly episode in U.S. history, the former Manzanar War Relocation Center is where more than 11,000 Japanese-Americans were confined behind barbed-wire...
A reminder of an ugly episode in U.S. history, the former Manzanar War Relocation Center is where more than 11,000 Japanese-Americans were confined behind barbed-wire fences between 1942 and 1945. A visit here is both deeply moving and inspiring—the former because it’s hard to comprehend that the United States was capable of confining its citizens in such a way, the latter because those imprisoned here showed great pluck and perseverance in making the best of a bad situation. Most of the buildings from the 1940s are gone, but two sentry posts, the auditorium, and numerous Japanese rock gardens remain. One of eight guard towers, two barracks, and a women's latrine have been reconstructed, and a mess hall has been restored. Interactive exhibits inside the barracks include audio and video clips from people who were incarcerated in Manzanar during WWII. You can drive the one-way road on a self-guided tour past various ruins to a small cemetery, where a monument stands. Signs mark where the barracks, a hospital, a school, and the fire station once stood. An outstanding 8,000-square-foot interpretive center has exhibits and documentary photographs and screens a short film.
Independence, California, 93526, USA760-878–2194Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Park daily dawn–dusk; center Nov.–Mar., daily 9–4:30; Apr.–Oct., daily 9–5:30 -
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6. Petroglyph Canyons
Thousands of well-preserved images of animals and humans are scratched or pecked into dark basaltic rocks at Big Petroglyph and Little Petroglyph canyons in the...
Thousands of well-preserved images of animals and humans are scratched or pecked into dark basaltic rocks at Big Petroglyph and Little Petroglyph canyons in the Coso Mountain range, the largest concentration of ancient rock art in the Northern Hemisphere. The canyons lie within the million-acre U.S. Naval Weapons Center at China Lake. Only the drawings of Little Petroglyph can be visited, and only on a guided tour arranged in advance through the Maturango Museum. Tour participants must be U.S. citizens over 10 years of age, and fill out an online application to obtain security clearance. Detailed information about the spring and fall tours, which fill up fast, is provided on the museum's website.
100 E. Las Flores Ave., Ridgecrest, California, 93555, USA760-375–6900Sight Details
Rate Includes: $60, Closed Dec.–Feb. and June–mid-Sept., Mar.–June and Sept.–Dec., call or check website for times -
7. Afton Canyon
Because of its colorful, steep walls, Afton Canyon is often called the Grand Canyon of the Mojave. It was carved over thousands of years by...
Because of its colorful, steep walls, Afton Canyon is often called the Grand Canyon of the Mojave. It was carved over thousands of years by the rushing waters of the Mojave River, which makes one of its few aboveground appearances here. The dirt road that leads to the canyon is ungraded in spots, so it is best to explore it in an all-terrain vehicle.
Barstow, California, 92365, USA -
8. Alabama Hills
Drop by the Lone Pine Visitor Center for a map of the Alabama Hills, and drive up Whitney Portal Road (turn west at the light)...
Drop by the Lone Pine Visitor Center for a map of the Alabama Hills, and drive up Whitney Portal Road (turn west at the light) to this wonderland of granite boulders. Erosion has worn the rocks smooth; some have been chiseled into arches and other formations. The hills have become a popular location for rock climbing. Tuttle Creek Campground sits among the rocks, with a nearby stream for fishing. The area has served as a scenic backdrop for hundreds of films; ask about the self-guided tour of the various movie locations at the Museum of Western Film History.
Lone Pine, California, 93545, USA -
9. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
About an hour's drive from Independence or Bishop you can view some of the oldest living trees on Earth, a few of which date back...
About an hour's drive from Independence or Bishop you can view some of the oldest living trees on Earth, a few of which date back more than 40 centuries. The world's largest bristlecone pine can be found in Patriarch Grove, while the world's oldest known living tree is along Methusula Trail in Schulman Grove. Getting to Patriarch Grove is slow going along the narrow dirt road, especially for sedans with low clearance, but once there you'll find picnic tables, restrooms, and interpretive trails.
White Mountain Rd., Bishop, California, 93514, USASight Details
Rate Includes: $3, Mid-May–Nov., weather permitting -
10. Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
The California poppy, the state flower, can be spotted throughout the state, but this quiet park holds the densest concentration. Eight miles of trails wind...
The California poppy, the state flower, can be spotted throughout the state, but this quiet park holds the densest concentration. Eight miles of trails wind through 1,745 acres of hills carpeted with poppies and other wildflowers, including a paved section that allows wheelchair access. Keep in mind that poppy flowers will curl up their petals if it's too windy or cold, so plan accordingly. Heed the rules and stay on the official trails when taking photos. Blooming season is usually March through May. On a clear day at any time of year, you'll be treated to sweeping views of Antelope Valley. Visit the website or call the wildflower hotline for the current bloom status.
15101 Lancaster Rd., Lancaster, California, 93536, USA661-724–1180-wildflower hotlineSight Details
Rate Includes: $10 per vehicle, Visitor center closed mid-May--Feb., Visitor center mid-Mar.–mid-May, weekdays 10–4, weekends 9–5 -
11. Antelope Valley Indian Museum
This museum got its start as a private collection of American Indian antiquities gathered in the 1920s by artist and amateur naturalist Howard Arden Edwards....
This museum got its start as a private collection of American Indian antiquities gathered in the 1920s by artist and amateur naturalist Howard Arden Edwards. Today, his Swiss chalet--style home is a state museum known for one-of-a-kind artifacts from California, Southwest, and Great Basin native cultures, including ancient tools, artwork, basketry, and rugs. To get here, exit north off Highway 138 at 165th Street East and follow the signs, or take the Avenue K exit off Highway 14.
15701 E. Ave. M, Lancaster, California, 93535, USA661-946–3055Sight Details
Rate Includes: $3, Closed weekdays, Weekends 11–4 -
12. Antelope Valley Winery/Donato Family Vineyard
Cyndee and Frank Donato purchased the Los Angeles–based McLester Winery in 1990 and moved it to Lancaster, where the high-desert sun and nighttime chill work...
Cyndee and Frank Donato purchased the Los Angeles–based McLester Winery in 1990 and moved it to Lancaster, where the high-desert sun and nighttime chill work their magic on wine grapes such as Merlot, Zinfandel, and Sangiovese. In addition to tastings, the winery hosts a Saturday farmers' market (from May through November between 9 and noon) and sells grass-fed buffalo and other game and exotic meats such as venison, pheasant, and wild boar.
42041 20th St. W, Lancaster, California, 93534, USA661-722–0145Sight Details
Rate Includes: Winery free, tastings from $12, Wed.–Sun. 11–6, Closed Mon. and Tues. -
13. California Route 66 Museum
Visitors from around the world still think of Historic Route 66 as one of the best ways to see the real America and this 4,500-square-foot...
Visitors from around the world still think of Historic Route 66 as one of the best ways to see the real America and this 4,500-square-foot museum is chock-full of memorabilia such as maps and postcards, photographs, paintings, and nostalgic displays that bring the iconic highway's history to life. Friendly museum volunteers are more than happy to answer questions and take your picture inside the flower-painted VW Love Bus.
16825 S. D St., Victorville, California, 92395, USA760-951–0436Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Mon.,Thurs., Fri., Sat. 10–4, Sun. 11–3, Closed Tues. and Wed. -
14. Casa Del Desierto Harvey House
This historic train depot was built around 1911 (the original 1885 structure was destroyed by fire) and was one of the original Harvey Houses, providing...
This historic train depot was built around 1911 (the original 1885 structure was destroyed by fire) and was one of the original Harvey Houses, providing dining and lodging for weary travelers along the rail lines. Waitresses at the depots were popularized in movies such as The Harvey Girls with Judy Garland. It now houses offices and two museums: the Western American Railroad and Route 66 Mother Road, but you can still walk along the porticos of the impressive Spanish Renaissance Classical building, or stroll into the restored lobby where you’ll find the original staircase, terrazzo floor, and copper chandeliers.
681 N. 1st Ave., Barstow, California, 92311, USA760-818–4400Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. -
15. Desert Tortoise Natural Area
It may not always be easy to spot the elusive desert tortoise in this peaceful protected habitat but the approximately 40-square-mile area often blazes with...
It may not always be easy to spot the elusive desert tortoise in this peaceful protected habitat but the approximately 40-square-mile area often blazes with wildflowers in the spring and early summer. It is also a great spot to see desert kit fox, red-tailed hawks, cactus wrens, and Mojave rattlesnakes; walking paths and a small interpretive center are part of the experience.
8 miles northeast of California City via Randsburg Mojave Rd., California, USA442-294–4258Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Daily -
16. Eastern California Museum
The highlights of this museum dedicated to Inyo County and the Eastern Sierra’s history include photos and artifacts from the Manzanar War Relocation Center, Paiute...
The highlights of this museum dedicated to Inyo County and the Eastern Sierra’s history include photos and artifacts from the Manzanar War Relocation Center, Paiute and Shoshone baskets, and exhibits on the Los Angeles Aqueduct and mountaineer Norman Clyde.
155 N. Grant St., Independence, California, 93526, USA760-878–0258Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Daily 10–5 -
17. General Store
Built as Randsburg's Drug Store in 1896, the General Store is one of the area's few surviving ghost-town buildings with an original tin ceiling, light...
Built as Randsburg's Drug Store in 1896, the General Store is one of the area's few surviving ghost-town buildings with an original tin ceiling, light fixtures, and 1904-era marble-and-stained-glass soda fountain. You can still enjoy a phosphate soda from that same fountain, or a lunch of burgers, hot dogs, and chili.
35 Butte Ave., Randsburg, California, 93554, USA760-374–2143Sight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed., Fri-Mon, 10 to 5 -
18. Hole-in-the-Wall
Created millions of years ago by volcanic activity, Hole-in-the-Wall formed when gases were trapped between layers of deposited ash, rock, and lava; the gas bubbles...
Created millions of years ago by volcanic activity, Hole-in-the-Wall formed when gases were trapped between layers of deposited ash, rock, and lava; the gas bubbles left holes in the solidified material. You will encounter one of California's most distinctive hiking experiences here. Proceeding clockwise from a small visitor center, you walk gently down and around a craggy hill, past cacti and fading petroglyphs to Banshee Canyon, whose pockmarked walls resemble Swiss cheese. From there you head back out of the canyon, supporting yourself with widely spaced iron rings (some of which wiggle precariously from their rock moorings) as you ascend a 50-foot incline that deposits you back near the visitor center. The one-hour adventure can be challenging but wholly entertaining. There are no services (gas or food) nearby; be sure to fill your tank and pack some snacks before heading out here.
Mojave National Preserve, California, 92309, USA760-252–6104Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Visitor center open seasonally, call for hours -
19. Indian Wells Brewing Company
After driving through the hot desert, you'll surely appreciate a cold one at Indian Wells Brewing Company, where master brewer Rick Lovett lovingly crafts his...
After driving through the hot desert, you'll surely appreciate a cold one at Indian Wells Brewing Company, where master brewer Rick Lovett lovingly crafts his Lobotomy Bock, Amnesia I.P.A., and Lunatic Lemonade, among others. If you have the kids along, grab a six-pack of his specialty root beer, black cherry, orange, or cream soda.
2565 N. Hwy. 14, Inyokern, California, 93527, USA760-377–5989Sight Details
Rate Includes: Daily 9:30–5 -
20. Laws Railroad Museum
The laid-back and wholly nostalgic railroad museum celebrates the Carson and Colorado Railroad Company, which set up a narrow-gauge railroad yard here in 1883. Among...
The laid-back and wholly nostalgic railroad museum celebrates the Carson and Colorado Railroad Company, which set up a narrow-gauge railroad yard here in 1883. Among the exhibits are a self-propelled car from the Death Valley Railroad, a stamp mill from an area mine, and a full village of rescued buildings, including a post office, the original 1883 train depot, and a restored 1900 ranch house. Many of the buildings are full of "modern amenities" of days gone by.
200 Silver Canyon Rd., Bishop, California, 93515, USA760-873–5950Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5 suggested donation, Daily 10–4
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