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.
We have stayed at the Calico Ghost Town Campground a number of times. You’re basically camping in a canyon and the views are pretty great of the sunset and the rock walls around you. The sites aren’t the most level but they’re fine and the price is fair. 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
