Exploring Calico Ghost Town Off-Road Trails: What You Need to Know

Calico Ghost Town Overview: Mining History Meets Off-Road Adventure

The first time I heard about Calico Ghost Town, I figured it was just trails around a tourist trap. Then I explored beyond the preserved mining town and discovered that the real adrenaline rush sits in the Calico Mountains, where this former gold and silver mining town meets some of California's most technical desert terrain.

Located in San Bernardino County, about 10 miles northeast of Barstow off Interstate 15, Calico Ghost Town offers a unique combination that most people miss. The restored historic town provides family-friendly exploration with the Lucy Lane Museum, Calico Odessa Railroad train rides, and preserved buildings where you can learn about miners who worked here during the 1880s silver boom. But for off-road enthusiasts, the real adventure starts where the tourist area ends.

The trail network threading through the Calico Mountains combines colorful volcanic formations, narrow canyon passages, abandoned mining operations, and technical obstacles that challenge even the most built rigs. Within a 15-mile radius of the ghost town, you'll find everything from easy scenic drives to gnarly climbs requiring lockers and 35-inch tires. The area is popular with people taking weekend trips from Las Vegas (about 150 miles northeast) and throughout Southern California.

What makes this area special is the history you can experience. Unlike many off-road adventure destinations, Calico lets you explore a preserved mining town in the morning, learn about gold rush history at the museum, then spend the afternoon tackling technical trails past historic mines and mining ruins. It's an experience that works for all ages, whether you're bringing kids to walk through the historic town or testing your rig on Odessa Canyon's famous waterfall climb.

Trail Ratings, Vehicle Prep & Safety

How We Rate

Our trail difficulty system reflects both technical challenges and vehicle requirements to help you choose appropriate routes for your rig and skill level:

Easy Trails: Stock high clearance vehicle recommended. Basic 4WD is helpful but not always required. Wide routes with mild obstacles, good for family weekend trips and scenic route exploration.

Moderate Trails: 4WD required with all-terrain tires. Technical sections require careful line choice. While stock vehicles can complete most of all of the trail with experienced drivers, it is recommended to have an upgraded rig.

Hard Trails: Built rigs are essential. Large tires, lockers, armor, and recovery gear required. Sustained technical challenges with potential for vehicle damage. Advanced driving experience necessary.

Vehicle Setup & Safety

Desert Preparation: Calico's sharp volcanic rock is notorious for punctures. Quality tires in good condition are required. Carry a full-size spare, plug kit, and air compressor. Rock sliders are also nice to have and protect rocker panels while skid plates shield vital components like your gas tank and/or oil pans. For hard trails, add lockers or limited-slip differentials plus a winch for recovery.

Tire Pressure Management: Air down based on the terrain. For easier, less rocky trails drop 5-8 PSI. For more moderate trails drop 15-20 PSI. For advanced and technical trails like the Odessa Doran Loop drop 12-15 PSI for maximum traction on loose volcanic surfaces. You can never go wrong dropping some PSI and something you might not realize is it helps preserve the trail while also giving you more traction and control.

Navigation: Download offline maps before you visit. Cell service disappears once you leave the ghost town area. GPS apps like onX Offroad, Gaia GPS and Avenza are essential for finding trail access points and staying on route through the Mojave Desert terrain.Looking for a physical map? Make sure to stop by the park office. However, I will warn you their map does not have all the off-road trails on it and is more focused on the tourist attractions. It is best to rely on a digital off-road specific map.

Seasonality: October through April offers the best time to explore. Temperatures stay comfortable for both exploring the historic town and trail riding. Summer heat exceeds 110°F regularly, making midday off-roading less than ideal. If you must visit in summer, start at dawn and finish by 10 AM. Winter mornings can be cold (30s-40s) but afternoons are ideal.

Water and Supplies: Carry adequate water and snacks. You never know when you might be stuck on a trail for an extended amount of time. Barstow (20 minutes west via the exit off Interstate 15) is the last place (at least at a decent price) to get fuel, food, and supplies. The ghost town has limited services focused on tourists visiting the preserved historic site.

Mining Hazards

Never enter open mines or mine shafts. These historic sites contain deadly hazards including unstable rock, bad air, deep shafts, and rotted timbers. Observe mining ruins from safe distances. Taking artifacts is illegal and destroys California's gold rush history for future generations.

Top Calico Ghost Town Off-Road Trails

Easy Calico Ghost Town off-roading

Mule Canyon: Family-Friendly Desert Colors

Mule Canyon provides an excellent introduction to Calico Ghost Town off-roading without stress. This 10-mile route showcases multicolored volcanic formations accessible to stock vehicles, making it a popular choice for families wanting to enjoy off-roading after spending the morning at the preserved ghost town.

The trail follows an old mining road through progressively narrowing canyon walls displaying incredible colors. Kids will love the dramatic rock formations while adults appreciate the mining history visible in old diggings and structures. The packed dirt road with occasional sandy sections keeps things interesting without being intimidating. This is an ideal first off-road adventure for people new to desert driving.

Moderate Calico Trails

Phillips Loop: Scenic Desert Drive

Phillips Loop delivers 10 miles of moderate terrain perfect for stock 4WD rigs. This scenic route circles through volcanic badlands with embedded rocks requiring line choice, moderate climbs testing approach angles, and sandy washes where momentum matters. It's a great way to build skills before attempting harder trails in the area.

Views showcase the Calico Mountains and Mojave Desert expanses. The colorful geological formations are spectacular, providing plenty of photo opportunities. This trail sees regular traffic from off-road enthusiasts visiting the ghost town area, keeping it relatively maintained while offering genuine desert character.

Wall Street Canyon: Mining History Trail

Wall Street Canyon combines mining history with moderate challenges through narrow canyon walls. This 6-mile route takes 2-3 hours and passes mining-era structures and diggings. The canyon walls create almost slot-like passages in sections where you'll carefully thread your vehicle between colorful volcanic rock.

Stock 4WD trucks with all-terrain tires handle this comfortably. The narrow sections mean rock sliders are a smart consideration. This trail works well for people wanting more technical experience than easy routes offer, but aren't ready for extreme challenges like Odessa Canyon.

Hard / Advanced Calico off-roading

Odessa Canyon: The Signature Challenge

Odessa Canyon represents the heart of Calico Ghost Town off-roading, famous for its near-vertical waterfall climb that separates capable rigs from those turning around. This 8-mile route demands serious adrenaline tolerance and technical driving skills. I've seen fully built trucks with lockers struggle on this obstacle, so don't miss the warning signs about difficulty.

The "waterfall" is a steep drainage chute carved by water over millennia, creating a roughly 60-foot climb at an angle that tests every aspect of your vehicle and nerve. Loose volcanic rock, minimal traction, and extreme angle combine to require lockers, 33-inch tires minimum (35s preferred), and precise throttle control. Beyond the waterfall, the trail continues to mining ruins with technical descents arguably harder than the climb.

Vehicle requirements are strict and required: lift, front and rear lockers, full armor protection, and winch. Travel with at least one other capable vehicle. Recovery work often takes hours. This isn't a trail to attempt without proper preparation and experience.

Doran Canyon: Technical Rock Gardens

Doran Canyon offers different challenges than Odessa Canyon, with sustained technical driving through rock gardens and ledges. This 7-mile route features multiple shelf climbs testing clearance while sharp volcanic rock punishes mistakes. Articulation matters as you'll frequently have wheels in the air.

High-clearance 4WD is minimum; lockers make this manageable rather than terrifying. Budget 3-4 hours and bring full recovery gear. This trail appeals to off-road enthusiasts seeking technical challenges without Odessa's famous waterfall commitment.

Odessa Doran Loop: Ultimate Challenge

The Odessa Doran Loop combines both canyons into a 12-mile circuit delivering 4-6 hours of sustained technical driving. This is the ultimate Calico Ghost Town off-road adventure, testing every aspect of vehicle capability and driver skill. Only attempt with built rigs, experienced drivers, and proper recovery equipment. Many people consider this loop one of California's premier hard trail experiences.

Trip Planning Tips

Combining Ghost Town Visit and off-roading

Family Day Trip: Spend morning at Calico Ghost Town exploring the preserved mining town, Lucy Lane Museum, and taking kids on the Calico Odessa Railroad train ride. After lunch, drive Mule Canyon for easy off-roading the whole family can enjoy. This combination lets people of all ages experience both history and desert adventure.

Moderate Weekend: Day 1: Visit the historic town in the morning to learn about gold and silver mining history. Afternoon run Phillips Loop and Wall Street Canyon. Stay overnight at Calico Ghost Town campgrounds or nearby campsites. Day 2: Morning exploration of moderate trails before heading home.

Advanced Challenge: For serious off-road enthusiasts with built rigs. Day 1: Quick walk through the preserved town, then tackle Odessa Canyon (allow full day). Camp at dispersed campsites near trail access. Day 2: Doran Canyon or attempt the full Odessa Doran Loop if rigs and skills are up for it.

Where to Stay

Calico Ghost Town Campgrounds: The ghost town operates its own campground with amenities including restrooms, showers, and close access to the historic area. This is a popular choice for families wanting to spend multiple days exploring both the town and trails. Book ahead during peak season (October-April) as campsites fill quickly.

Dispersed Camping: The Bureau of Land Management land surrounding the area offers free dispersed camping. Choose previously used sites to minimize impact. These spots provide an authentic desert camping experience closer to trail access points.

Barstow Hotels: For people preferring hotel comfort, Barstow has numerous options about 20 minutes west. This works well as a base camp if you're taking day trips to explore the area. Hotels in Barstow also work for visitors coming from Las Vegas who want to spend a day experiencing Calico.

If you are traveling through Barstow, don’t forget to stop at one of the Original Barstow Del Tacos… You might have had Del but you haven't really experienced it correctly until you have had Barstow Del.

Maps and Information

Getting There: From Interstate 15, traveling between Barstow and Las Vegas, take the Ghost Town Road exit. The preserved town is well signed. Off-road trail access requires GPS coordinates; download waypoints before arrival. Check the current information at the visitor center.

What to Bring: Beyond standard off-roading gear, bring water (double what you think you need), sun protection, a first aid kit, tools, and recovery equipment appropriate for the type of trails you choose. The nearest services are in Barstow, so plan accordingly. Cell service exists at the ghost town but disappears on trails.

Permits: The preserved Calico Ghost Town requires admission fees for the historic area, museum, and train ride. Off-road trails on the surrounding BLM land are free to access. No special permits are required for day use. Camping requires fees at Calico Ghost Town campgrounds; dispersed camping is free.

Trail Etiquette & Leave No Trace

Respect History: This area's mining town history makes it special. Never take artifacts, enter open mines, or disturb historic structures. These irreplaceable remnants tell California's gold rush story. Future visitors deserve to experience and learn from this preserved heritage.

Stay on Trails: Create no new tracks. Mojave Desert ecosystems recover slowly from damage. Stick to established routes to protect fragile desert vegetation and soil crusts.

Minimize Impact: Use established campsites on durable surfaces. Pack out all trash. Use existing fire rings if building fires but make sure you know the current restrictions. Keep noise reasonable near camping areas. Your behavior affects access for all off-road enthusiasts.

Safety First: Uphill traffic has right-of-way. Communicate courteously with other trail users. When encountering hikers or ATV riders, yield appropriately. Help others when needed but don't enable dangerous choices.

Final Thoughts

Calico Ghost Town offers a rare combination of preserved mining history and serious off-road adventure. Whether you're bringing the family to explore the historic town and ride easy trails, or you're an experienced off-road enthusiast ready to tackle Odessa Canyon's waterfall, this area delivers. Spend time learning the gold rush history that shaped this region, then experience the adrenaline rush of technical desert trails. Just remember to prepare properly, respect the mining heritage, and check conditions before you visit. The preserved town and surrounding trails showcase the best of California's desert west, creating memories for people of all ages and skill levels.

Looking to upgrade your truck to prepare for Calico Ghost Town Trails? Feel free to check our shop here at TruckBrigade.com for all your needs.