Whether you want to drive all the way to the desert of Mojave and come back doing stops in Calico and Deep Creek Hot Springs, or the other way around, it is up to you. I am recommending these 3 spots together because they are in perfect alignment on the way to or from Los Angeles, and make for a great week end getaway.
Deep Creek Hot Springs is a popular natural hot springs located in the San Bernardino National Forest in California. It is 2 hours away from Los Angeles, and when you take the I15 north, you will have to drive through the town of Hesperia to find Deep Creek road. You will have to finish with 5 miles of dirt road to access the trailhead to the springs. At the last intersection, make a right on Bowen Ranch Road and you will reach the parking lot and the trailhead (your GPS will find Deep Creek Hot Springs Trailhead, but just in case service isn’t working, make sure to load your itinerary before leaving Hesperia).
Deep Creek Hot Springs feature about 6 natural pools of varying temperatures that are fed by a hot spring, and the refreshing Mojave River is there as well for a more drastic change of temperature. The area is surrounded by rugged desert mountains and canyons, providing a picturesque setting for visitors.
It should be noted that Deep Creek is one of the many clothing-optional hot springs in California where nudity is extremely common, but not required.
From the trailhead at the south end of the parking lot, it is about 2 miles long with an elevation change of about 900 feet. The hot springs are located on the opposite side of the creek, so make sure you follow signs to descend to the creek and cross it to arrive at the hot springs. Water temperatures vary from 96 to 103 degrees, so just relax and enjoy!
36600 Ghost Town Road, Yermo, CA 92398
Calico Ghost Town is a former mining town in San Bernardino County, California, USA. The town is located off Interstate 15, about 3 miles (5 km) from Barstow. The town has been preserved as a county park. It is located in the Calico Mountains of the Mojave Desert. Calico was founded in 1881 as a silver mining town, and at its height had a population of over 500. The town declined when the silver ore was exhausted, and most of the population had left by the early 1900s. The town was purchased by Walter Knott in the 1950s, who turned it into a tourist attraction. Its unique ghost town atmosphere will make it a fun stop on the way to or from the Mojave Desert.
Visitors can explore the old buildings like the old silver mine and there are also various activities such as gold panning, gunfights, train rides and a museum to explore. They have several options to eat in the ghost town as well.
It is open everyday from 9am to 5pm, adults tickets are $8, children are $5 and it is free for children 3 and under.
You can find all the information about Calico Ghost Town on their website:
https://parks.sbcounty.gov/park/calico-ghost-town-regional-park/
Know that you can also stay at Calico: they have a campground and they also rent cabins for the night, so it can be an (affordable) option for your week-end getaway.
Mojave National Preserve is one of the best places to explore the Mojave Desert’s unique geology, plants, and animals. The preserve, which has no entrance fee, protects 1,600 square miles of mountains, canyons, valleys, and two million acres of desert wilderness. The park is a habitat for a variety of native plants and animals, including the endangered desert tortoise. The preserve is also home to some of the most spectacular dark skies in the country, perfect for stargazing. There are multiple trails offered in the park, but I will recommend 2 here if you keep reading.
The Kelso Dunes (3 miles total)
The Kelso Dunes cover 45 square miles in the Mojave Desert, with the tallest dune measuring 650 feet. According to the National Park Service, the Kelso Dunes are one of seven known sand dune fields in North America that produce “sand singing,” a low-frequency vibration that can be heard and felt.
The three-mile drive down Kelso Dunes Dunes Road alternates pavement and dirt, but a 4×4 vehicle is not necessary. Parking and Day Use are free.
The trailhead to the dunes is clearly marked from the parking lot, but after the first quarter of a mile, there is no trail: you simply choose your path and walk towards the dunes. You will have to hike for about a mile before arriving at the base of the dunes. From there, it’s another half mile with 350 feet of gain to the top of the two largest dunes. You can walk anywhere you want on the dunes, but these two make for the most popular photo ops. Who knew you could stand on top of sand dunes outside of Death Valley?
Rings Loop Trail (1.3 miles total)
The Rings Loop Trail is a short hike that runs through Banshee Canyon, which features volcanic rock formations filled with holes, and is located close to the Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center. You should start the trail from the lower parking lot of the Information Center, and start walking clockwise. The first mile is flat and easy, then you will enter the canyon and climb up two sets of metal rings bolted to the canyon walls. This section is about six feet tall, so if you’re with family, friends or young children, you can safely give them a leg up on this section of the hike. The trail ends at a parking area above the Information Center: from there you can walk a quarter-mile down the dirt road back to the lower parking lot. .
More information on the Mojave National Preserve can be found of the NPS website:
https://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm