Mojave Desert adventures are best enjoyed in the months of winter as well as late spring or fall. So, as it is only March and Kingman, Arizona is experiencing the first 85 degree day of 2025, unless you want to wait until fall, now is the ideal time for a desert odyssey.

Few places capture the raw spirit and beauty of the American West quite like the Mojave Desert of California. This is a land of extremes. Summer temperatures soar into the triple digits, history lingers in the dust, and the sun bleached bones of old highways like Route 66 and railroads tell stories of grit, determination, and adventure.

For road warriors tracing the path of Route 66 or four-wheel-drive enthusiasts tackling the legendary Mojave Road, the desert towns of Amboy, Goffs, Daggett, Newberry Springs, and Kelso serve as more than just mile markers. They’re oasis, and tangible links to centuries of history.

Mojave Desert Adventure in Amboy: Roy’s Motel & Café and a Slice of Route 66 Nostalgia

If you’ve ever seen a postcard-perfect shot of a vintage neon sign glowing against a desert sunset, chances are it was Roy’s Motel & Café in Amboy. This internationally recognized landmark has been casting long afternoon shadows across the desert and Route 66 since 1959.

This legendary outpost on Route 66 is the stuff of road trip adventurers dreams. Established in 1938, Roy’s served as a bustling stop for weary travelers that never closed. Gas is still sold but the cafe is a gift shop and information center, and the motel as well as cabins are tarnished photo ops.

Today, thanks to preservation efforts, it remains a must-see for history buffs and photographers alike. And there are plans to have the cabins refurbished in time for the Route 66 centennial in 2026.

But Amboy isn’t just about nostalgia. Dominating the horizon to the west of town is Amboy Crater, a stunning extinct volcano that beckons hikers for a trek across the stark lava field into the crater and up on to its rim. The moderate 3-mile round-trip hike offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and a glimpse into the region’s volcanic past.

I would be remiss if a word of warning wasn’t given. Never make this hike during the summer except for early in the morning. Always carry water. If you don’t need it there is a chance that you will meet someone that does. And let someone in Amboy or at home now when you set out, and when you return. It is not an understatement to say that this amazing hike can be deadly.

Goffs: A Schoolhouse, a Railroad, and a Glimpse Into the Past

Goffs is the kind of place where history whispers in the wind. Once a bustling stop on the Santa Fe Railroad and an important waypoint on the original Route 66 alignmen as well as National Old Trails Road and Arrowhead Highway, Goffs has transformed into a living museum of Mojave history. The crown jewel here is the meticulously restored Goffs Schoolhouse, now the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association.

The schoolhouse, built in 1914, is surrounded by relics of the past—old mining equipment, historic structures, and even remnants of the Mojave Road. It is an ideal place to enjoy a colorful sunset and watch trains roll past.

The Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association isn’t just a museum. It also features an RV park with hookups and showers making it a perfect base for exploring the region. The site and museum preserves and shares the stories of pioneers, rail workers, miners, Route 66 travelers, and Native Americans who shaped the Mojave’s history.

Daggett: Railroads, Silver, and the Birth of Barstow

Before Barstow became the region’s railroad hub, there was Daggett. This small town played a pivotal role in Southern California’s economic development, thanks to its connection with the Borax and silver mining in the nearby mountains during the mid to late 19th century. The narrow-gauge Calico Railroad once carried ore from the nearby Calico Mountains to to the main line at Daggett. This added to the boomtown atmosphere that faded like ice on a July day in the Mojave Desert.

Mining and the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe Railroads transformed Daggett into a boomtown with a promising future. That boundless sense of opportunity was magnified as traffic flowed through town on the Arrowhead Highway, the National Old Trails Road, a precursor to Route 66, and after 1926 Route 66.

Daggett is a dusty shadow of what it once was but remnants of its glory days are found with every turn. The long shuttered Stone Hotel dates to the 1870s. Desert Market opened as Ryerson’s General Store in 1908.

Newberry Springs: Home of Bagdad Café and Archeological Secrets

Newberry Springs is another dusty desert relic that has seen better times. It might be best known for the quirky and beloved Bagdad Café, the setting for the 1987 cult classic film of the same name. But there’s more to this desert stop than Hollywood nostalgia. This area is also a gateway to some of the region’s most unusual natural attractions, from dry lake beds to hot springs.

Historically, Newberry Springs was a key stop along the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad (later part of the Santa Fe line), and before the era of the interstate highway it was a welcome oasis for weary travelers on Route 66. But there is ample archaeological evidence that the area was an oasis long before Route 66 or the railroad. Native American artifacts and petroglyphs are links to history measured in thousands of years.

Kelso: A Railroad Outpost and Gateway to Mojave National Preserve

At first glance, Kelso might seem like just another ghost town, but step inside the beautifully restored Kelso Depot, and you’ll find one of the most remarkable railroad landmarks in the Mojave. Built in 1924, the depot served as a critical stop for the Union Pacific Railroad, providing a place where steam locomotives could refuel before tackling the steep Cima Grade.

Today, the depot functions as a visitor center for the Mojave National Preserve, offering insights into the region’s railroad, mining, and natural history. The Mojave National Preserve itself is a vast and stunning landscape filled with Joshua tree forests, towering sand dunes, and twisted volcanic formations.

A visit to the area wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Mitchell Caverns, a network of limestone caves in the Providence Mountains known for their unique formations and prehistoric significance. This is a highly recommended stop, especially during the summer with its searing heat.

The Vanished Towns of Bagdad and Siberia

Once bustling roadside oasis along Route 66, Bagdad and Siberia are now nothing more than memories and faint traces in the sand. As a bit of trivia, Bagdad was famous for its record-breaking dry spell. According to railroad records between 1912 and 1914, there were 767 days without a single drop of rain, the longest recorded dry period in U.S. history. Both of these busy wide spots in the road faded into oblivion with the decline of Route 66, leaving only ghostly reminders of a once-thriving roadside culture.

The Mojave Road: The Ultimate Off-Road Adventure

For those who prefer their history lessons with a side of adrenaline and true adventure the Mojave Road is a bucket-list journey. This rugged 140-mile route follows an ancient Native American trade path, later used by Spanish explorers, pioneers, and even the U.S. Army in the 19th century. Before the coming of the railroad in the 1880s, this was the primary Mojave Desert crssing.

But his not a drive along the cracked asphalt of Route 66 under a blazing desert sun. The Mojave Road demands a high-clearance 4×4 and a spirit of adventure. Water crossings, deep sand, and extremely remote terrain make this drive a true test of skill and endurance for driver and machine.

Along the way, you’ll encounter historic stage stops, petroglyphs, abandoned mining camps, and haunting reminders of those who traveled this route before you. It’s a trip back in time, where the desert itself becomes both the storyteller and the challenge. Before attempting this adventure make sure you and your vehicle are in tip top shape, and that you have a tag along partner.

Final Thoughts on Mojave Desert Adventure

Whether you’re chasing neon dreams along Route 66, uncovering railroad history in forgotten towns, or tackling the rugged beauty of the Mojave Road, the Mojave Desert of California offers a journey like no other. These forgotten towns and old roadside oasis —Amboy, Goffs, Daggett, Newberry Springs, and Kelso— are more than just dots on the map. They’re testaments to the resilience of those who dared to carve a life out of the desert.

So fuel up, pack plenty of water, and hit the road. The Mojave is calling, and another Jim Hinckley’s America adventure is waiting around every dusty bend.