RVing to Calico Ghost Town on Route 66
Calico Ghost Town RV park on Route 66
If you're planning a road trip along Route 66 in California, one stop you absolutely shouldn’t miss is Calico Ghost Town Campground & RV Park. Nestled in the Calico Mountains near Barstow, this restored silver mining town offers a fascinating glimpse into the Old West — complete with wooden boardwalks, historic buildings, and panoramic desert views.
Whether you're an RVer, history buff, photographer, or family traveler, Calico Ghost Town delivers a memorable desert experience.
The History of Calico Ghost Town
Calico was founded in 1881 during California’s largest silver strike. At its peak, the town boasted:
Over 500 mines
More than 1,200 residents
Hotels, saloons, restaurants, and even a school
When silver lost value in the mid-1890s, Calico quickly declined and was eventually abandoned, becoming a true ghost town.
In the 1950s, entrepreneur Walter Knott — founder of Knott's Berry Farm — restored Calico to reflect its 1880s silver mining heyday. In 2005, it was officially designated a California Historical Landmark.
Things to Do in Calico Ghost Town
There’s more here than just old buildings. Visitors can experience interactive history and desert adventure.
🏜 Explore Historic Buildings
Walk along Main Street and step inside:
The Maggie Mine
The old jail
The schoolhouse
Restored saloons and shops
⛏ Take a Mine Tour
The Maggie Mine tour takes you inside a real silver mine. It’s educational, a little cool (literally), and a great way to understand how miners worked in the 1880s.
🚂 Ride the Calico Odessa Railroad
This narrow-gauge train circles the town and offers scenic desert views — perfect for families and photography lovers.
🔫 Old West Shows & Events
Depending on when you visit, you might catch:
Gunfight reenactments
Civil War reenactments
Ghost tours
Annual festivals
RV Travel and Camping Near Calico
If you’re traveling by RV — especially along Historic Route 66 — Calico makes a convenient and scenic stop.
The Calico Ghost Town Campground offers:
Full hook-up RV sites
Partial hook-ups
Tent camping
Dump station
Stunning desert sunsets
It’s a peaceful basecamp for exploring the Mojave Desert region.
Nearby attractions include:
Barstow
Mojave National Preserve
