Explore bygone era at restored Calico ghost town

Yesteryear is alive and well in old Calico, the restored ghost town in the Mojave Desert that was resurrected as a popular regional park.

Named for the multicolored hills where it perches near Yermo, Calif., Calico was the site of the state’s richest silver boom in 1881. During their heyday, Calico’s mines produced $86 million in silver and $45 million in borax. The town was home to several thousand hopefuls who abandoned Calico when production waned and silver prices fell.

The town lay lifeless for decades under the relentless desert sun. It would have met the same fate as hundreds of other boomtowns across the West if not for the efforts of Walter Knott, founder of Knott’s Berry Farm.

Knott’s uncle had been sheriff at the time of the silver strike. He grubstaked some early prospectors and retained an interest in the town. Walter Knott and his family kept scavengers and vandals at bay, planning to restore the original buildings that were still standing. Restoration began in 1951. In 1966, Calico was turned over to San Bernadino County for use as a historical park.

Calico has enjoyed great success as a recreational attraction. It pays for its own upkeep through use fees and concession leases. Visitors of all ages can explore a bygone era as they stroll the main street, tour the town on a scenic train, visit museums, observe old mine tunnels and browse through shops and eateries in the town’s old buildings.

Calico is about 2½ hours away from Southern Nevada, a few miles off Interstate 15 on the way to Barstow. As you near Yermo, watch for routes to the park on either Calico Road or, more directly, on Ghost Town Road. Visitors park in a fee area below the town. There is also an adjacent campground with sites for tents, RVs and trailers.

A good way to get an overview of the town is to board the Calico-Odessa Railroad, an excursion line similar to old-time ore car trains. Train rides cost $3 for adults and $2 for children.

Many visitors use the 265-unit campground or find accommodations in rental cabins or bunkhouses. Reserve campsites at sbcountyparks.com. Tent sites cost $30 a night. RV sites with hookups cost about $35. Senior campers arriving Sundays through Thursdays save $5.

Accommodations include six cabins for four people at $45 a night, a mini bunkhouse for six at $100 a night and a no-frills bunkhouse for 12 to 20 people at $80 a night. Bring your own bedding.

The ghost town park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Christmas. The entrance fee is $8 for adults, $5 for ages 6 to 15 and free for ages 5 and younger.

Many visitors spend all their time browsing in the shops that occupy restored buildings, where costumed shopkeepers add to the vintage ambiance. In some shops, visitors can see artisans create items such as leather goods or pottery. There are three restaurants and several shops that feature snacks and beverages.

Popular stops include the Lucy Lane Museum’s historical artifacts, the Maggie Mine Tour and the topsy-turvy walk through the mystery shack. On weekends, you can also learn to pan for gold.

More adventurous visitors may explore old roads and trails near Calico. Take guided horseback or four-wheeler tours or use your own off-highway vehicle or mountain bike. Some explore the Silver King Mine on specialized two-hour tours. Others return to Calico after dark for one of the two haunted tours on Saturday nights.

Several times a year, Calico hosts special events, which this season include a holiday festival Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 and a group singing traditional carols on Dec. 14. The town will be adorned with lights and holiday decorations through the end of the year.

Margo Bartlett Pesek’s Trip of the Week column appears on Sundays.