Calico

Calico is a ghost town tucked into the Calico Mountains of the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. Founded in 1881 as a silver town, it eventually gave way to decline and was later preserved as a county park now known as Calico Ghost Town. From Interstate 15 — which runs directly past the site roughly three miles from both Barstow and Yermo — visitors can spot giant letters spelling out CALICO on the rocky peaks rising behind the settlement.

Today the site functions as a county park, making it one of the more accessible and well-presented historic destinations in the region. The dramatic desert backdrop and the hillside signage make it easy to locate, and the park is reachable by passenger car. Walter Knott played a role in the property's history before it became a county holding.

Because this is a Mojave Desert location, summer heat can be intense, and cooler months offer the most comfortable conditions for exploring the grounds. Spring and fall are generally the most pleasant windows for a visit.