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On a road trip, we decided to stop and explore Calico Ghost Town. We had fun and saw a lot in this California landmark.
It’s full of history with many remnants that show how life was during the Silver Rush. And I also had a run-in with a person from the past.
I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, and share personal photos from our trip. Maybe you’ll want to discover this place for yourself!
Getting There
On our way to Joshua Tree National Park, we made some stops on the I-15. Don’t you like taking your time and discovering fun places on road trips?
I’ve always seen the Ghost Town Road exit on the way to Nevada and wondered about it. So we got off and drove down a dirt road to a toll booth.
The attendant welcomed us, and we paid a few dollars for the entrance fee. We drove our camper van to the parking lot and stopped by the fence.
Visiting Calico Ghost Town
The town is open every day except Christmas. The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As we strolled through Calico, we stepped back in time. I envisioned a once-thriving area with people going about their day.
In many of the stores, you can buy souvenirs and things you’d find Out West.
Scenic Views
The first thing I had to do after parking was to jump out and take pictures. What a beautiful landscape surrounding the town!
A van piled high with clothes and blankets pulled up next to us. Two kids jumped out screaming, followed by a man shaking his head.
The wind whipped around as I began walking to the town. Although sunny, the temperature was a brisk 50° in November, so I went back to get my vest.
I don’t know what it is about me traveling out west. Every time we go somewhere, the wind follows me.
At the entrance, we found signs in German and other languages. They must like exploring the Wild West, too. Halo!
Calico’s History
I also discovered this area was named California’s Silver Rush Ghost Town. It’s a part of the San Bernardino County Regional Park system.
Now, here’s a fun fact for you. If you’ve visited Knott’s Berry Farm as much as I have, you may have ridden on the Calico Mine Ride.
Did you know that Walter Knott owned Calico Ghost Town for a while and restored some buildings?
I guess that’s why you’ll find its influence with the California Ghost Town at his amusement park in Orange County. It’s not nearby, by the way.
Historic Buildings
Some of the buildings are still operational, meaning you can go inside and buy stuff. One of the first places we explored was Lil’s Saloon.
As the doors swung open, the lady at the bar asked if we wanted anything to drink, and we truly felt like we were in the Wild West.
While exploring the museum, mining company, and other buildings, it was fascinating to see what had been preserved.
I saw household luxuries such as a hair curler and rug warmer. There were displays showing how mining worked and the dangers miners faced.
Maggie’s Mine
Speaking of the miners, we did a self-tour of Maggie’s Mine. To enter this mine and other attractions, you pay a fee.
While exploring, we saw what it was like to work in the narrow tunnels—just big enough for ore cars to pass through.
You’ll want to mind the signs and not enter places that are blocked off. Those are real signs, not props.
Remember, this is a historic state park, and we want to preserve it. Also, it is unsafe to enter areas closed off to the public.
Lookout Point
After the mine, we hiked up to Lookout Point for a scenic view of the ghost town. The trail is uneven and has loose rocks, so be careful if you go up there.
On the way up, a house built into the side of a mountain caught our eye. The wind gusts nearly blew us over at the top!
From the view above, the town looked bigger than I thought. I saw the train and planned to ride it later.
After we found our way down, I heard people laughing and screaming nearby. So, we decided to find out what was going on.
The Tilted House
We paid a small fee to enter the Mystery Shack, and the lady working there made one last call to visitors. This is when my phone died.
Then, two more people joined us, and the man’s face looked mighty familiar. He whispered something to his lady, and then they looked at me. Hmmm…
The tour guide told us it was a tilted house and shared its backstory. When I first entered, I was puzzled.
As we moved through the house, sat had us sit on a chair and do other things to defy gravity. We tried not to fall across the room.
It was an unusual experience and fun at the same time. The tour guide made us laugh with her jokes.
Now, I have danced for years and can pirouette for hours. I can handle rollercoaster rides that blast off and flip around.
But when I came out of that house, I was off-kilter like nothing I’ve ever felt before.
A Strange Encounter
As I stood there grounding myself, that man in our group walked towards me with furrowed brows. He had some look about him.
“Is your name Luna?” he asked.
“Yes…” I squinted and put my finger on my lips.
“Didn’t you work at…?” He tilted his head, moving in closer.
Well, I’ll be darned… I knew he looked familiar. It turns out we worked together 10 years ago!
My, how time flies and what a small world it is. We were far from home. Funny huh?
Okay, have you ever run into someone you knew while traveling? I guess this will be another blog post because this wasn’t the first time…
Travel Notes
As I wanted to ride the train, I never got to. It looked like a fun way to tour the ghost town.
It broke down, and they said it wouldn’t be up and running until late afternoon.
But, after spending a couple hours there, we had to hit the road again. We couldn’t wait around for the train to start working.
They also have a campground, and I would like to return to van camp.
Final Thoughts
We learned a lot about Calico Ghost Town. The history, like so many ghost towns in the West, was fascinating.
It was a fun adventure, and I ran into someone I knew. And I wonder what other presences from the past might be lurking around here!
More Travel Adventures
I have more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- We explored the mystery behind Zzyzx Road and Soda Springs, an interesting place off the I-15.
- Another historic place we explored was Ghost Mountain Trail in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
- For more places to explore on an LA to Las Vegas road trip off the I-15, I have you covered.
I’d love to hear all about your travel adventures!
Originally published: March 6, 2025
