Barstow Recreation

Area Attractions
Discovery Trails Desert Discovery Center. The Desert Discovery Center is an interactive learning center that offers after school and weekend programs, and field trips that motivate students of all ages to learn more about the fields of geology, history, biology, and anthropology. The program is designed to identify each student’s current interests to tap into their abilities while learning more about the natural, cultural and historic resources of the Mojave Desert. Www.discoverytrails.org.

Calico Ghost Town. 1881 marked the beginning of one of the largest silver strikes in California history and the birth of Calico. This authentic silver mining town lives on as one of the few original mining camps of the Old West.  Today, you can visit this famous town site, located at the side of towering King Mountain, where silver was king and the hills are "as purty as a gal's calico skirt."  [Top]

Death Valley. The hottest, driest and lowest point in the U.S., Death Valley is a land of extremes. Summer temperatures in the valley average over 100 degrees, and at 282 feet below sea level, Death Valley is the driest place in North America with an average rainfall of only 1.96 inches a year. Death Valley offers visitors spectacular sights like the sand dunes at Stovepipe Wells, Scotty’s Castle Museum, a myriad of wildflowers, biking, hiking and camping, There are also several visitor centers throughout the area that offer programs like guided walking tours, living history tours, wildlife information, and much more. Www.nps.gov/deva/

Barstow Station. If you’re looking for kitschy, desert-themed souvenirs, Barstow Station is a must see. This rest area / tourist trap is chock full of funky shops selling Route 66 stickers, Mexican agate jewelry, homespun crafts, t-shirts, candy, Minnetonka moccasins and every kind of Las Vegas memento you can think of. You’ll find penny squashing machines, video games and a variety of fast food restaurants at this fun tourist attraction.

Rainbow Basin. Rainbow Basin is located in the Mojave Desert, just northwest of Barstow. Over millions of years, water and wind have sculpted layers of sandstone and sediment to expose brilliantly colored formations in this fantastic area. Once a verdant marsh and home of many prehistoric creatures, like Miocene-age horses, camels, mastodons and saber tooth cats, you’ll see their remains embedded in the canyon walls, buried by sediments over time. Many of the fossils found in Rainbow Basin are now on display at museums around the country.  [Top]

Stoddard Valley OHV Area. Located in the Mojave Desert, Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area offers a diverse landscape for off-highway vehicle recreation. The area’s steep rocky mountains, rolling hills, open valleys, and winding sandy washes offer great off-road fun for motorcycles and ATVs. With elevations ranging from 5,000 to 2,800 feet, this triangular-shaped riding area is used extensively for OHV riding, including competitive racing events by permit. The area also offers many opportunities for hiking, rock scrambling, rock hounding and bird and wildlife watching. Www.blm.gov/ca/barstow/stoddard.html.

Mitchell Caverns. Mitchell Caverns features a wide variety of cave formations, which were formed when sedimentary limestone and marble were dissolved by acidic ground water. First opened for tours by Jack Mitchell in 1932, the caverns are the only limestone caverns in the State Park system. Visitors will see spectacular and intricate limestone formations including stalagmites, stalactites, helictites, lily pads, draperies, curtains and popcorn. Tours run daily at 1:30pm; weekends at 10am, 1:30pm and 3pm. Www.nps.gov/moja/home.htm.  [Top]

Western America Railroad Museum-4 miles. The Western America Railroad Museum offers historical displays that focus on railroad history and the development of railroad technology. The museum’s authentic railroad depot is home to displays of railroad artifacts, artwork, timetables, uniforms, tools and various other items related to railroading. Outdoor displays include rolling stock, locomotives, signals and general operating equipment, allowing visitors to see railroad equipment up close. The museum is open Fri.-Sun., 11am - 4pm. Www.barstowrailmuseum.org

Harvey House, Casa Del Desierto. In the late 1800s-1930s, Fred Harvey set up a string of dining rooms and boarding houses for Santa Fe train passengers. Barstow’s Casa Del Desierto, considered one of the jewels of the Harvey House system, opened in 1911. Offering comfortable, luxurious rooms, gourmet cuisine served on fine china, and quality drinks, Casa Del Desierto was also equipped with a full ballroom and was the site for many of the town's dances and social events. This lovely historic building is now home to the Greyhound and Amtrak stations, several arts groups, the Mother Road Route 66 Museum and the Western America Railroad Museum.  [Top]

Mother Road Route 66 Museum. Mother Road Route 66 MuseumThe Mother Road Route 66 Museum maintains and displays a collection of historic photographs and artifacts related to the history of Route 66 and its communities. The museum’s displays include automotive history exhibits, an extensive library and pictorials showing the development of the highway. The gift shop stocks brochures, maps and travel information as well as fine gifts, jewelry and books related to Route 66. Exhibitions change often, so visitors can always find something new to see. Www.califrt66museum.org.

Barstow Golf Club. Built in 1974 and designed by Ted Robinson, ASGCA, this 9-hole, regulation length golf course features 3,256 yards of golf from the longest tees, for a par of 36. With Bent Grass greens and fairways, the course is semi-hilly with scattered tree-lined fairways. The course also has a large lake that comes into play on two holes. $10 greens fees include cart rental. The course is open to the public year-round. Www.barstowgolfclub.com  [Top]

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