Calico Ghost Town Campground Introduce
Welcome to Calico Ghost Town Campground, located in Barstow, CA 92311, USA. For local users searching under the category "Camping Near Me," Calico Ghost Town Campground offers a unique camping experience intertwined with a historical ghost town attraction. This introduction aims to provide a detailed overview of the environment, services, features, and any discernible promotional aspects, while also objectively presenting the varied experiences reported by online reviewers.
The environment of Calico Ghost Town Campground is inherently tied to its location adjacent to the Calico Ghost Town, a former silver mining town with historical significance. The landscape is characteristic of the Mojave Desert, with arid conditions and desert vegetation. The primary environmental feature is the ghost town itself, offering a glimpse into the region's past with its preserved and reconstructed buildings. Visitors can expect to be camping in a desert setting with the added element of a historical attraction within close proximity. One reviewer noted that there is "lots to look at in the desert," suggesting that the natural surroundings, beyond the ghost town, also offer some appeal. However, potential campers should be prepared for desert conditions, including heat, and the need to bring their own water, as explicitly mentioned in one review.
In terms of services, the reviews present a mixed picture. One positive aspect mentioned is the presence of staff who can provide information about the attraction, such as details about bands singing on special holidays and the beauty of the Christmas decorations. This suggests that the campground is connected to the events and activities of the ghost town. However, a more critical review details several significant issues with the campground's services and maintenance. These include a slow and seemingly disorganized check-in process, poorly maintained asphalt roads within the campground, and camping sites that are described as rutted dirt strewn with rocks, requiring campers to clear their space. The electrical pedestals are reported as wobbly and broken, and many sewer hookups lack caps. Sites are also described as very unlevel, and some lack fire rings or tables. Furthermore, this reviewer noted trash throughout the campground, on trails, and in the bathrooms. The bathrooms were described as "horrible" with overflowing toilets and broken fixtures, and were reportedly not cleaned during a two-night stay. This paints a concerning picture of the campground's maintenance and cleanliness. While a positive interaction with staff providing information about the ghost town's events is mentioned, the overall feedback on the campground's infrastructure and upkeep is significantly negative.
The features of Calico Ghost Town Campground are primarily its unique combination of a camping facility with direct access to a historical ghost town attraction. This offers campers the convenience of exploring the ghost town and participating in any associated events. The mention of live bands on special holidays and beautiful Christmas decorations suggests that the campground experience can be enhanced by these seasonal features related to the ghost town. For those interested in history and a somewhat themed camping experience, this could be a significant draw. However, the negative review highlights several significant drawbacks. The poorly maintained campsites, including uneven ground, rocks, and issues with utilities (wobbly pedestals, uncapped sewer hookups), are major negative features. The reported lack of tables and inconsistent provision of fire rings (some sites having them, others just stacks of rocks) also detract from the camping experience. The pervasive trash and the deplorable condition of the bathrooms, if accurate, are serious negative features that would significantly impact the comfort and hygiene of campers. While the historical significance of the adjacent ghost town is a unique feature, the poor condition of the campground itself appears to be a major detractor.
Promotional information for Calico Ghost Town Campground might focus on its historical connection, the unique experience of camping next to a ghost town, and any special events or seasonal attractions like live music and Christmas decorations. The potential for a family-friendly experience, combining camping with historical exploration, could also be a promotional angle. However, the strongly negative review detailing significant maintenance and cleanliness issues serves as a cautionary counterpoint. Any objective introduction must acknowledge these contrasting perspectives. Potential promotional materials might showcase the ghost town and its events, but would ideally also address the concerns raised about the campground's condition. Local users considering this campground should be aware of the reported issues with the campsites and facilities. It would be prudent to seek more recent reviews or information from multiple sources to get a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of the campground's current state. The historical attraction of the ghost town is a clear draw, but the quality of the camping experience itself appears to be a significant variable based on the available feedback.
In conclusion, Calico Ghost Town Campground offers a unique opportunity to camp alongside a historical ghost town attraction near Barstow, CA. The potential for experiencing live music on special holidays and seeing beautiful Christmas decorations adds to its distinctiveness. However, it is crucial for local users searching for "Camping Near Me" to be aware of the significant concerns raised in at least one review regarding the poor condition of the campsites, including uneven ground, rocks, and issues with utilities, as well as the reported lack of cleanliness in the bathrooms and throughout the campground. While the historical significance of the ghost town is a major feature, the quality of the camping infrastructure and maintenance appears to be a serious drawback for some visitors. Prospective campers should weigh the appeal of the ghost town and any potential events against the reported negative conditions of the campground itself and consider seeking more current information before making a reservation. Direct contact with the campground using the provided phone number might offer further insights into the current state of the facilities and any ongoing improvements.
Calico Ghost Town Campground Photos










Calico Ghost Town Campground Location
Calico Ghost Town Campground
Barstow, CA 92311, USA
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Calico Ghost Town Campground Reviews
This is a small attraction on the way to Las Vegas. It has historical significance and is worth visiting. The staff there told us that there will be bands singing on special holidays, and the Christmas decorations are very beautiful.
May 03, 2025 · Gina MoThis place is awful. Pulled into the main gate and there were 7 cars in front of us. Took 11 minutes for the employee to get all of them in, and they were just day-visitors. Finally got to the booth and she seemed confused as to what to do. Got us 'checked-in' (I believe), and said go ahead on in. Had no idea where I was going so she finally gave me a map after I asked. I felt like asking her to do her job was an imposition. Pulled into the 'campground' and it is crap. The road is asphalt (poorly laid asphalt, not installed by licensed contractors) but the sites are rutted dirt strewn with various size rocks. Had to clear rocks before pulling in. Our pedestal is wobbly and broken, many of the sewer hookups have no caps. The site is very unlevel. We had to pull into the center of our site so that the fire ring in the adjacent site would not be directly under our left slide. Some sites don't have fire rings, just stacks of rocks that people have used to make their own. Our site also had no table. There is trash everywhere in the campground, on the trails and in the bathrooms. The bathrooms were horrible. Overflowing toilets, one door with a broken closer. We were here 2 nights, and they were never cleaned. When we pulled out at 10am the bathrooms still hadn't been cleaned. When we checked in they did not give us a receipt or window tag. So, when we left to go shopping, we just told them we were at the CG, and they waved us through. When we returned from having dinner there was no one at the gate so we just drove in. The staff spend a lot of time driving around in their carts and trucks but never saw them doing any work. And be careful because they race around at high speed. We only came here to see the ghost town. Which also had trash everywhere. We've been to other ghost towns but wanted to see this one because of its connection to Knott's Berry Farm. It's a typical tourist trap. Several of the buildings are empty/for lease. In many respects it was like walking around the ghost town area of Knott's. I would not recommend more than one or two days here. We won't be back.
Apr 17, 2025 · chris mThis was a fun little stop on our trip down route 66. We just wanted to see an old mining town from yesteryear. We walked down the Main Street and took photos of the beautiful buildings. We didn't buy any souvenirs or trinkets so I cannot tell you my opinion on pricing. However it did cost money to drive in and park. (around $10 from memory) Probably allow yourself an hour to look around.
Mar 10, 2025 · Beck DunnWent on a Friday. It wasn’t packed. Paid around 30 to get in for a family of four. Can spend a few hours there just looking around the shops and museums they have. It seems a lot of tourists visit as well. Clean bathrooms and lots of places to walk and areas to explore.
Apr 09, 2025 · maggi foxI’ve visited twice, 2 years in a row now, the atmosphere is great, displays/exhibits are well maintained and informative, the staff are so nice, especially at the ‘Fossil and Mineral’ gift shop, we bought a geode and got to use a machine to crack it open which was a lot of fun. To enter the town you pay an admission fee ($8pp at the time) and there are extras such as the train tour and walk through the silver mine
Apr 19, 2025 · Ryan Moultesz
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