California State Parks
Providence Mountains State Recreation Area (Mitchell Caverns)
Outdoor enthusiasts will once again be able to enjoy one of the most iconic and time capsule parks in California. This unique and remote travel destination offers a frontier experience of timeless landscapes and breathtaking views. The park is also home to the beautiful Mitchell Caverns, a diverse habitat full of limestone cave formations and unique wildlife - everything from bats to tiny pseudoscorpions and more. Call 760-928-2586 for more information.
Bureau of Land Management
Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark
Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973, Amboy Crater was recognized for its visual and geological significance. Although Amboy Crater is not unique, it is an excellent example of a very symmetrical volcanic cinder cone. The inside of the 250' high crater contains two lava dams behind which has formed small lava lakes. These are now flat in general appearance, covered with light colored clay, creating the impression of miniature "dry lakes." There is a breach on the west side of the crater where basaltic lava poured out over a vast area. Beyond the crater lies 24 square miles of lava flow containing such features as lava lakes, collapsed lava tubes and sinks, spatter cones and massive flows of basalt.
Afton Canyon Natural Area
Located along the Mojave Road, a popular 4-wheel drive route, Afton Canyon includes a campground along the Mojave River. Afton Canyon is one of few places where the Mojave River flows above ground making Afton an ideal location for bird and wildlife viewing. The area is ideal for hiking, hunting, camping, nature study, rock hounding, horseback riding, and vehicle touring.The area lies outside of Mojave National Preserve west of Baker, California, and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Barstow Field Office. Call 760 252-6000 for information.
San Bernardino County Parks
Calico Ghost Town
1881 marked the beginning of one of the largest silver strikes in California history and the birth of Calico. This authentic silver mining town lives on as one of the few original mining camps of the Old West. Calico is part of the San Bernardino County Parks System.