Calico Ghost Town Backcountry

The Calico Ghost Town backcountry spreads across the colorful Calico Mountains northeast of Barstow, where silver mining boomed in the 1880s before busting just as hard. Beyond the touristy restored ghost town lies a network of old mining roads that wind through rainbow-colored badlands and past abandoned mine shafts. The main loop connects historical Calico with Wall Street Mill and Odessa Canyon, threading between weathered rock formations that earned this range its name from the kaleidoscope of colors in the exposed geology.

Easy to moderate difficulty makes this accessible to most high-clearance vehicles, though some side routes require 4WD for loose sand and steeper grades. The desert demands respect — carry extra water, check weather for flash flood potential in washes, and avoid summer heat that’ll cook you and your rig. Spring and fall offer perfect temperatures for exploring these historic mining districts. You’ll find plenty of dispersed camping opportunities among the Joshua trees, plus the chance to walk through genuine Old West history without the Knott’s Berry Farm crowds.