Calico Ghost Town in Barstow, CA

[vfire]

Since Frontierland in DL is a shadow of its former self, and Ghost Town in Knott's continues to shrink and be neglected as the years go by, I'm wondering if it's worth the long trip up to Barstow to experience the Calico Ghost Town. Has anyone been there and can give a report? Is it kid friendly? Are there tours of the mine(s), guided or otherwise? Their website is pretty threadbare with details so any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[Soulquarian]

Originally Posted by vfire

Since Frontierland in DL is a shadow of its former self, and Ghost Town in Knott's continues to shrink and be neglected as the years go by, I'm wondering if it's worth the long trip up to Barstow to experience the Calico Ghost Town. Has anyone been there and can give a report? Is it kid friendly? Are there tours of the mine(s), guided or otherwise? Their website is pretty threadbare with details so any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

I went there on my way back from Vegas once. It was pretty cool and informative. Some of the exhibits were very informative, and you can sort of imagine what it must have been like in its prime, and you certainly will appreciate Knott's Ghost Town a bit more.

I wouldn't drive their with the specific intent to visit Calico, but if it's on your way, I'd say go for it. They even still have the house where gravity is all funky and you get disoriented.

[Ranger Rick]

There is a walking tour of the mine, an old train that makes a loop and a shoot out on main street. There is also a camp ground and a off road vehicle area, in the general area. But a Soulguarian states I would not make a separate trip for it.

[BFJen]

One of my worst high school memories is of the Calico Camp Ground. We didn't make it to the Ghost town (we got there too late). We were headed to San Diego for a Biology Tour. Our teacher thought it would be fun (and save a little money) if we camped the first night at the campground. It was freezing, nobody had tents, we slept in our sleeping bags on picnic tables. Finally at about 1 a.m., some parents went and found a Motel 6 and we all moved inside!

[sir clinksalot]

We went once a few years back and it was very cool. I've always wanted to stop there on the way back from Vegas and go again, but we haven't done it.

[SCUBAbe]

I really like the bodie (p?) ghost town. The buildings were pretty well preserved. I haven't been in years. It was a mining town. A fire destroyed the red light district and the casinos, but there is about 10% of the town left which makes it the largest ghost town on the west coast. It is far away though.

[Darkbeer]

Here are a couple of photo albums....

First from May of 2005

http://darkbeer.smugmug.com/gallery/552813_iJH9j

And August of 2004

http://darkbeer.smugmug.com/gallery/197302_Ko58R

[aashee]

I love Calico ghost town. Get there early and make sure you don't go in the dead of summer. Hotter than the hinges of Hades over there.

[tassie]

I love Calico too. It's a really great, fun, surprising place. When we were there they had a clogging competition happening. Maybe someone has posted a youtube video

[aimster]

I went to Calico back in 1985. I don't remember much about it, but I remember being creeped out at times since it's a real ghost town.