Goffs California - a hidden gem of Route 66 history
Goffs, California: A Forgotten Route 66 Town in the Mojave Desert
Route 66 has had several alignments even when it was an active road and one of the places that it crossed through - until a realignment of the road - is Goffs, California. Our fellow adventurer, Bill, found that you can still stay at a Harvest Host in Goffs and it was just the right distance to do so - so we did.
Hidden along a dusty stretch of historic U.S. Route 66, the tiny desert settlement of Goffs, California is one of the most interesting and least-known stops in the Mojave Desert. While many travelers speed past on Interstate 40, those who take the old highway discover a place filled with railroad history, desert culture, and the quiet beauty of the American Southwest.
For Route 66 explorers, RV travelers, photographers, and history lovers, Goffs offers an authentic look at what desert travel once looked like. Quite honestly this was one of the most incredible places we’ve stayed thus far along the Route - it’s an enormous property but is beautifully set-up for RVers to stay with spacious and nice sites. There are also common areas that include a barbecue and bar enclosure.
Where Is Goffs, California?
Goffs is located in the eastern Mojave Desert of California, about 20 miles west of Needles, California and roughly 100 miles south of Las Vegas, Nevada.
The town sits along the original alignment of U.S. Route 66, surrounded by wide open desert, Joshua trees, and distant mountain ranges. Today it is considered a near-ghost town, but its preserved buildings and museum keep its story alive.
One of the still-functional pieces of mining equipment in Goffs
The Early History of Goffs
Goffs began in the late 1800s as a small but important railroad town. When the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway pushed tracks across the Mojave Desert, Goffs became a key service stop for trains traveling between California and the rest of the country.
During its busiest years, the town had:
A school
A hotel
A general store
A post office
Water and supply facilities for trains
Homes for railroad workers and miners
The surrounding desert was rich in mining activity, and Goffs became a supply hub for prospectors working throughout the region.
Life in the Mojave was not easy. Summers were brutally hot, water was scarce, and dust storms were common. But small towns like Goffs were essential lifelines for people crossing the desert.
Route 66 Arrives
In 1926, everything changed when U.S. Route 66 was officially established. The famous highway passed directly through Goffs, bringing early road trippers, truck drivers, and adventure seekers.
During the golden age of Route 66, travelers depended on towns like Goffs for:
Gasoline
Vehicle repairs
Food
Overnight lodging
Directions and supplies
Imagine driving across the desert in the 1930s or 1940s with no GPS, limited maps, and very few services. Small communities like Goffs were essential stops.
Why Goffs Became a Ghost Town
Like many towns along Route 66, Goffs slowly declined as transportation routes changed.
The biggest shift came when railroad operations moved to Needles, California. Businesses followed the rail activity, and many residents relocated.
Later, the construction of Interstate 40 bypassed the old highway entirely. With travelers no longer passing through town, Goffs faded into the quiet desert landscape.
By the late 20th century, only a few buildings and memories remained.
The Mojave Desert Heritage & Cultural Association
The reason Goffs still exists today is thanks to the preservation efforts of the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association.
This nonprofit group restored the historic 1914 Goffs Schoolhouse and turned it into a museum and cultural center dedicated to the history of the Mojave Desert.
Visitors can explore exhibits featuring:
Desert mining history
Native American artifacts
Railroad equipment
Route 66 memorabilia
Wildlife and geology displays
The museum also hosts educational programs and events that celebrate desert heritage.
For history lovers, it’s one of the most fascinating hidden museums in the Mojave.
The Historic Goffs Schoolhouse
The centerpiece of the town is the beautifully restored Goffs Schoolhouse, built in 1914. The building served local children for decades and remains one of the best-preserved historic structures in the region.
Today, it functions as:
A museum
A visitor center
A research library
A gathering place for desert historians
Standing outside the schoolhouse, it’s easy to imagine what life must have been like for families raising children in such a remote desert community.
Things to See Around Goffs
Even though the town is small, there are several interesting things to explore.
Desert Scenery
The Mojave Desert surrounding Goffs is stunning. Joshua trees, volcanic hills, and open valleys stretch for miles in every direction. Sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful.
Old Mining Areas
The region around Goffs was once filled with mines. Some remnants of that era can still be seen in the surrounding desert. The Goffs Harvest Host location has a number of working mining displays that are rather impressive.
Route 66 Road Trip Experience
Driving the original alignment of U.S. Route 66 near Goffs feels like stepping back in time. Long empty roads, historic markers, and quiet desert views make this one of the most atmospheric stretches of the Mother Road.
Railroad History
The legacy of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway can still be felt throughout the area, which once depended heavily on rail transport.
The phone booth
At one point there was a working phone booth in the middle of the Mojave desert. It suddenly gained notoriety and became a destination, so much so that the Parks Service decided it was a nuisance and took it out.
As a tribute to that phone booth there is now one in Goffs out in the middle of the desert and it can actually work with your smart phone via Bluetooth.
Visiting Goffs Today
If you’re planning a Route 66 road trip, Goffs makes a great stop between Barstow, California and Needles, California.
Tips for visiting:
🚐 Bring water and supplies
📷 Bring a camera for desert scenery
🕒 Check museum hours before arriving
📡 Expect limited cell service
🌵 Watch for desert wildlife
Because it’s such a quiet and remote location, visiting Goffs feels like discovering a hidden piece of California history. Goffs is also part of Harvest Hosts and is one of the best Harvest Hosts we’ve encountered.
Why Route 66 Travelers Love Goffs
Many Route 66 stops have become busy tourist attractions. Goffs is different.
It still feels authentic.
There are no crowds, neon lights, or souvenir shops—just history, open desert, and the preserved schoolhouse that tells the story of the people who once lived here.
For travelers seeking the real spirit of Route 66, that’s exactly what makes it special.
Our campsite at Goffs during sunset
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goffs, California a ghost town?
Goffs is considered a near-ghost town. Only a few structures remain, but the town is preserved through the museum and historical association.
Can you visit the Goffs Schoolhouse?
Yes. The schoolhouse is open to visitors during select hours and special events hosted by the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association.
Is Goffs on the original Route 66?
Yes. The town sits directly along the historic alignment of U.S. Route 66.
How far is Goffs from Las Vegas?
Goffs is about two hours south of Las Vegas, Nevada depending on your route.
Final Thoughts
Places like Goffs, California remind travelers what exploring the American West used to feel like. The town may be small, but its history is big—from railroads and mining to the golden age of U.S. Route 66.
If you love forgotten places, desert landscapes, and authentic roadside history, Goffs is absolutely worth the detour.
Sticking our sticker in the old bus next to a fellow content creator's.jpg
