Barstow / Calico KOA

The Great Outdoors

When you search for an RV in San Bernardino County, you’ll definitely want to check out Calico Ghost Town. An old silver mining town built in 1881 during California’s largest silver strike, Calico Ghost Town is one of the few surviving Old West mining camps. Visit, and you’ll see several original structures dating back to the late 19th century as well as reconstructions accurately representing the Old West. Just three miles from the campground and an awesome (yet eerie) place for the entire family, it’s definitely worth a visit when you’re in town.Rainbow Basin is a popular landmark just a few miles from Barstow / Calico KOA. Though it’s not really a basin, this place is magical nonetheless. Layers of sandstone and sediment expose brilliantly colored formations, giving this other-worldly land its name. Boasting multi-colored rock formations and scenic canyons, it is one of the most scenic and mysterious locations in the Mojave Desert. Plant life is sparse at Rainbow Basin: only a bit of grass, dried remains of desert wildflowers, and a small Joshua tree. There’s an unpaved road leading through the canyon, so it’s pretty easy to reach and explore when you camp in an RV near Yermo. Just make sure you have plenty of gas and sufficient drinking water.Calico Early Man Archaeological Site is a unique museum of geology and archeology. Unearthed by Louis Leaky, the co-discoverer of the world’s oldest hominid fossils, this is a hidden gem that doesn’t receive the attention it deserves. Though it’s hard to believe when you step foot in the dry and arid Mojave Desert, less than 20,000 years ago, the area was home to a huge lake surrounded by marshes, mudflats, and sandy beaches. Today, though the area looks much different than it did several thousand years ago, you can get a feel for what it was like when you browse through the artifacts and tools that have been uncovered here.  

Exploring the City

The Skyline Drive-In Theater in Barstow has two different screens playing some of today’s most popular movies. Grab your pillows, blankets, and a few comfy camp chairs. Bring munchies, or purchase some from the snack bar, and come enjoy a new film with family and friends when you book an RV rental near Yermo.Route 66 Mother Road Museum houses a collection of historical photos and artifacts related to the iconic Route 66. Look through photographs, prints, and paintings of this world-famous road. You can also learn more about the road’s history, importance, and significance to the western United States.When you rent an RV near Barstow / Calico  KOA, you can learn more about the area at the Mojave River Valley Museum. The museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Mojave River Valley. The museum houses several displays and exhibits that tell the history of the Mojave River Valley dating back to the arrival of Father Garces in 1776 and more recently to pioneers, miners, and railroads.