Experience The Old West At This Eerie California Ghost Town With Scenic Campsites And Hikes

In the arid landscape of the Mojave Desert in Southern California, at an elevation of 2,283 feet, lies Calico, a ghost town that offers an eerie window into the Old West. Once a bustling silver mining town in the late 1800s, Calico is now a well-preserved ghost town that invites visitors to step back in time and experience the rugged, rusted, hauntingly beautiful spirit of the American frontier. With historic buildings, overnight campsites, and numerous hiking trails, there is much to explore here. There are over 4,000 ghost towns in the United States; what makes Calico more than just a relic of the past is how it combines history, adventure, and desert landscapes in one unique experience.

Calico was founded in 1881 during the height of California's silver rush. At its peak, the town boasted a population of 5,000 people, along with hotels, general stores, and 20 saloons. By 1892, there were over 60 mines in the area. Calico's mines produced a total of $86,000,000 worth in silver and $45,000,000 in borax, making it one of the richest silver strikes in California. However, as the price of silver plummeted and resources became exhausted in the early 1890s, Calico's fortunes quickly declined. By the turn of the century, it was abandoned, left to the mercy of the desert winds and shifting sands — a ghost town. Until 1953, when Walter Knott, the founder of Knott's Berry Farm (one of the most dangerous theme parks in the U.S.), purchased and restored the town.

Walking through Calico today feels like stepping onto the set of an old Western movie. Many of the original buildings — except for five, which were left as they were — have been restored by Walter Knott, and visitors can explore everything from the old schoolhouse and the blacksmith shop to the jail and the old Calico fire hall. The narrow, dusty streets are lined with weathered wooden structures, some of which house museums (like the Lucy Lane Museum with artifacts from Calico's past), gift shops, and eateries. Calico House Restaurant is worth trying as it serves meals that the townspeople used to eat back in the 1880s, like meatloaf, shepherd's pie, and buffalo burgers.

One of the highlights is the Maggie Mine, the only original silver mine open for guests, where you can take a self-guided 1,000-foot tour. As you venture deep into the tunnels, it's easy to imagine the tough, dangerous work that mines endured over a century ago. Another must is the Calico Odessa Railroad, a narrow-gauge train that takes you on an eight-minute journey around the outskirts of the town. Kids would enjoy the Mystery Shack, a house of optical illusions, or panning for gold in a stream like in the days of yore — you might find some Fool's Gold. If you're curious about the paranormal, sign up for a Calico Ghost Tour. All of these activities run daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Heck, you can even get married at Calico ghost town!

For those looking to extend their stay, Calico offers 265 scenic RV sites with full or partial hookups, along with tent campsites. The pet-friendly campgrounds are equipped with modern amenities like restrooms, showers, grills, and picnic areas, making it a comfortable place to base yourself for a night or a few so that you can extend your exploration. There are 10 cabins with air conditioning (each cabin sleeps four), while the bunkhouses can accommodate even larger groups of up to 20 people. Spending a night at one of America's coolest desert towns sounds pretty awesome, and reservations can be made online. Walking through the empty streets at dusk after all the tourists are gone, you'll feel the presence of the past, as if the spirits of the old Calico miners still linger.

Beyond the town, Calico is surrounded by miles of hiking trails and the stunning Calico Mountains, unique for their colorful bands in shades of red, turquoise, and steel. Not far from the entrance to the ghost town, the 5.5-mile-long Odessa Canyon and Doran Canyon loop trail will take you through old mine shafts, freshwater springs, and panoramic viewpoints 1,000 feet above the starting elevation. The Rainbow Basin Natural Area is also nearby, a diverse landscape with incredible geological formations that is perfect for desert wildlife viewing (particularly during the early morning hours). Mountain biking, horseback riding, and off-road driving are permitted in some of these spots in and around Calico.