The Amboy Crater Is a Volcano Hidden in Plain Sight

Few people in Southern California know that they're only a few hours away from the scene of a recent volcanic event. Standing 250 above the flat desert landscape, the Amboy Crater is an extinct volcano that once spewed lava over the Mojave Desert's floor. While the volcano is called a crater, there is nothing otherworldly about the origin of this place. The crater instead refers to the wide caldera that remains after an eruption that occurred here nearly 80,000 years ago. The explosion left behind a towering cinder cone of rust-colored rock and a dry lava bed almost two miles in diameter.

This site within the Mojave Trails National Monument was once a regularly frequented roadside stop for travelers on Route 66 driving between Barstow and Needles. Construction of the nearby Highway 40 bypassed this site, and this stretch of highway and its desert views became hidden from the main transit route.

For years this site was a well-kept secret for outdoor enthusiasts, but the advent of social media has brought visitors back to this site. Whether you stop here for a photo or a hike, the Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark is worth the detour on Highway 40.

Hiking

When you arrive and turn into the landmark area, you'll drive down a paved road that takes you past a paved overflow parking lot and into a main paved parking lot at the volcano's trailhead. Several amenities such as covered picnic areas, a paved parking lot, and a restroom with vault toilets are available for travelers to enjoy before or after a hike. One thing that is notably missing from this location is water. All visitors should ensure they bring enough water with them before they attempt the 4.2-mile out and back trail that reaches the rim of the volcano. Sadly, some visitors in the past have not heeded the heat warnings and passed away here because they were not ready for the desert heat. Always carry extra water with you in the desert and make sure to check the weather!

On the hike, visitors can walk through the rugged lava rock landscape formed by the volcano's eruption. Several wild types of grass and desert shrubs dot the land, providing cover for the several species of desert critters that call this area home. Don't be surprised if you spot small burrowing mammals, as well as reptiles like lizards and rattlesnakes here. You may even spot a scorpion, so keep your eyes and ears open on the trail.

Once at the volcano's base, you can make your way up switchbacks that lead into the volcano's bowl-shaped caldera. A short climb up from this point takes hikers to the rim and a dazzling view of the lava bed below and the surrounding desert landscape. The rust-red volcanic stone of the volcano and the barren desert landscape make you feel like you're on an entirely different planet. These views are especially spectacular at sunrise and golden hour.

Stargazing

Astronomers and amateur stargazers know Amboy Crater to be one of the best places to view the night sky. The volcano's remote location, coupled with little neighboring light pollution, makes this place one of the most accessible dark sites for stargazing. Several visitors will line the parking lots with telescopes pointed at the sky on a clear new moon night. If you time your trip right, you can catch a great view of celestial events

Camping

While camping is not allowed off of the volcano's main parking lot, the overflow parking lot area is available for visitors to enjoy dispersed camping. This area is dry and primitive but free so long as visitors follow the Bureau of Land Management's camping rules. Visitors who don't find a spot in the lot need not fret, as the Mojave Trails National Monument, which is home to the crater, offers several nearby options for developed and dispersed camping. Colder months are the best time to camp here, as summer night temperatures are scorching here and can lead to an uncomfortable time.

The Amboy Crater is a fantastic destination whether you only have time for a pit stop or stay there for the weekend. Bring plenty of water, a hat, some sunscreen, and your camera. This volcano is epic!