Attractions Nearby
China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) and NWC
China Lake NWC was established in 1943 because of a need for a testing facility for rockets and aviations weapons.
Museum of Armament and Technology
Different types of bombs and missiles that have been tested and used are on display here. There is also a gift shop. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m. The museum is closed Sundays and holidays. Call (760)939-3530 for more information.
Petroglyphs
Little Petroglyph Canyon is located on NAWS grounds, and guided tours are available through the Maturango Museum (see below) and by contacting (760) 939-1683. There are thousands of petroglyphs "engraved" on the rocks in the area, dating back from more than 100 years to thousands of years.
Maturango museum
Natural and Cultural History of the Northern Mojave Desert
The Maturango Museum has many exhibits showing the history of our area. There is also a children's area, a xeriscape garden, and a labyrinth. The museum is open every day from 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. except holidays. Membership, which is optional, is $50.00 a year. Admission to the museum is free to members, and $5.00 for adult non-members, $3.00 for students, seniors, and military, and children under 6 are free. (760)375-6900 for more information and tour dates and times.
Guided Tours
Guided tours are available through Maturango Museum, the biggest being the Little Petroglyph Canyon tour on NAWS grounds.
Ridgecrest Motorsports Complex
The Ridgecrest Motorsports Complex is located at the Desert Empire Fairgrounds. They are open every other Saturday and Sundays. Call (760)375-8000 or visit Ridgecrest Motorsports Complex for more information.
Trona/Searles Valley
Trona Pinnacles
The Trona Pinnacles are located 20 miles east of Ridgecrest. There are over 500 naturally formed tufa towers from mineral deposits in Searles Lake. The Pinnacles have been used in scenes from movies like Planet of the Apes and Star Trek V.
Searles Lake
1.7 million tons are extracted from Searles Lake each year. Searles Lake is also home to the Trona Pinnacles. Many minerals, such as borax, soda ash, and sodium sulfate. These minerals are used to make many things we use every day, such as glass, carbonated beverages, and detergents. The methods used to extract the minerals are unique and advanced techniques, allowing so much to be extracted per year.
Salt Wells Canyon (Poison Canyon)
Salt Wells Canyon is more commonly known as Poison Canyon, because the water was thought to contain poisonous chemicals. There are hiking trails here, leading to rock formations called the "Fish Rocks" or "Fish Head Rocks". There are also a few petroglyphs in one of the canyons.
Trona Railway Museum
The Trona Railway Museum first opened in 1997. There are displays of artifacts and working equipment from the Trona Railway.
Randsburg
Randsburg is an old mining town from the Gold Rush era. The town keeps up an 1800's image. There are no stoplights or gas stations. Randsburg is also a popular filming location.
Desert Tortoise Natural Area
The Desert Tortoise Natural Area is located southwest of Randsburg. There are self-guided trails to follow, and the tortoises are active in April or September.
Fossil Falls
Fossil Falls were formed by the Owen's River water eroding the lava flows. This is a popular rapelling and climbing site. There are petroglyphs and ancient Indian homesites in the area as well.
Red Rock Canyon State Park
Red Rock Canyon State Park is a beautiful park off of highway 14 between Ridgecrest and California City. The rocks are layered and multicolored at beautiful angles. There are trails to hike or ride, with certain Off Highway Vehicles being allowed. There is camping at the Ricardo Campground only. Horses are welcome in the park, but not allowed at the Ricardo Campground. There is horse camping at the Donely Horse Camp. Call (661)942-0662 for availability. See Red Rock Canyon for more regulations and information.
Barstow
Borax Visitor's Center
The Borax Visitor's Center is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except holidays, and depending on the weather. RV parking is available. Also visit the Twenty Mule Team Museum. Exhibits at the museum include equipment used to mind borax ore, and 1930's style kitchen and beauty shop, and a Vietnam War Memorial.
Calico Ghost Town
Calico was a silver mining town in the late 1800's, and was a ghost town by 1904, little more than twenty years later. One-third of the original structures still stand today. Camping is available, as well as a museum. Admission is $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children ages 6-15, and children 5 and under are free. They are open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day except Christmas.
Calico Early Man Archaeological Site
The archaeological site is located 15 miles northeast of Barstow. Ancient stone tools have been found here. Guided tours are available Wednesdays at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. The site is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Tehachapi
Tehachapi Loop
The Tehachapi Loop is considered a major constructional feat. It is a portion of railway that loops around a mountain, climbing as it goes around. This was the only way engineers could make it possible for freight trains to go from one side of the Tehachapi mountains to the other. When a modern freight train traverses the loop, the locomotive will cross over the end of the train, with the train wrapped entirely around the mountain. This track is the busiest single track line in the U.S. There is a viewing area off of Highway 58 to watch trains go around the loop.
