Mojave NP Accommodations

BARSTOW

In recent years, the former desert outpost has become a huge community, with housing developments sprawling in every direction. The city now boasts a population of 25,000, and all indicators point to enormous growth in coming years. There’s a great number of services for the visitor just passing through—some 60 million a year—and plenty of low-cost accommodations for those who decide to spend the night.

Main Street is the former Route 66, and the option to I-15 through town. It’s where you’ll find Burger King, the Red Roof Inn and Rosita’s Mexican restaurant, which offers tasty road food. Hungry travelers headed southwest of the city might want to stop at the famed Tommy’s burgers, home of the classic, messy chili-cheeseburger—something you cannot eat while driving!

Desert Information

The California Desert Discovery Center (831 Barstow Road; 760-256-8313) A small desert museum features high-tech kiosks explaining the wonders of the desert. It also has on display the most impressive Old Woman Meteorite, which fell to earth nearby in…

Open Tues-Sat, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Barstow California Welcome Center (Tanger Outlet Center, 2796 Tanger Way, Suite 106, Barstow; 760-253-4782). Shoppers and outdoor enthusiasts have a reason to stop at this mega outlet, located a few miles southwest of the center of town. The State of California maintains one of its official visitor information centers at junction of four major freeways in the Mojave Desert.

National Park Service Headquarters (2701 Barstow Road; 760-252-6100). Staffed by park service ranger who offers information about touring Mojave National Preserve. (open all year Monday-Friday, 8-4:30)

BAKER

The big—all 134 feet of it—attraction in town is the world’s tallest thermometer, otherwise Baker is best thought of as a drive-through rather than a destination of any sort.

This small desert town is a last chance to fill up your gas tank—be prepared to pay very high prices—purchase any snacks or water you might need, or grab some fast food before entering Mojave National Preserve. For a tasty surprise stop at the Mad Greek (72112 Baker Boulevard; 760-733-4354) for over-the-top kitschy Hellenic décor and Greek specialties in the middle of nowhere. Across the street is Bob’s Big Boy, formerly known as Bun Boy.

If you must stay in Baker, know that there are just three motels, each of which vies for best of the worst. Your choices are Arne’s Royal Hawaiian on one side of town (200 W. Baker Boulevard; 760-733-4326), and Motel Will’s Fargo (72252 Baker Boulevard), and Bun Boy Motel (72155 Baker Boulevard) on the other side. But desert-bound travelers are better off making reservations in Nipton, or heading up to Primm; those headed back to the Southland ought to just keep on going to Barstow or beyond.

NIPTON

Located just two miles from the California/Nevada border, Nipton is the kind of desert settlement that often appears on television segments as a human interest spot. The town was founded in 1904 to serve the local mining, ranching and railroad workers.

These days, Nipton is growing under the leadership of Jerry Freeman, who purchased the town in 1984. He and his wife, Roxanne Lang Freeman, have restored the classy little bed-and-breakfast, Hotel Nipton, and established Nippeno Camp and Conference Center, featuring eco-lodge tent-cabins. (760) 856-2335

Other services available in the tiny town include the Nipton Trading Post, a 1940s-style general store where you can purchase supplies, snacks, books and lottery tickets, and the Whistle Stop Oasis, where you can order burgers, panini or vegetarian specialties. Thanks to the forward-thinking Freeman, Wi-Fi is available in this tiny outpost 24/7.

PRIMM

Formerly known as Stateline, the brightly lit gambling town on the California/Nevada border is visible for miles around. Home to the Primm Valley Resort and Casino, Whiskey Pete’s and Buffalo Bill’s (1-800-FUN-STOP), the outpost is a place for adequate, but relatively expensive overnight lodging, fast food and cheap thrills—there are roller coasters, a log flume and even the infamous Bonnie and Clyde car on display. If you’re headed to the great outdoors, however, the noise and general feel of the place may jangle your nerves—or stimulate them to the point you crave the peace and quiet of wide-open spaces.

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