Peterson Sorenson
Vast stretches of golden sand and jagged peaks guard the secrets of the Mojave, where time slows and silence speaks louder than words. Scattered across these sunbaked locations, remote towns linger in the shadows of history, holding onto stories few ever hear. Discover what still remains in these forgotten corners of the desert.
Calico
Silver once ruled life in this old mining settlement and drew in prospectors eager to strike it rich. When the ore ran dry, the countryside nearly vanished, but its story didn’t end there. Restored in the 1950s, Calico is now a preserved relic of the Old West, where visitors roam dusty streets and explore long-forgotten tunnels.
Amboy
A single neon sign still flickers along Route 66, which marks the remains of Amboy. Roy’s Motel & Cafe, the town’s most famous landmark, draws roadtrippers in for a taste of mid-century America. Though much of Amboy sits empty, its quiet stretches of desert are a magnet for filmmakers and nostalgia seekers.
Nipton
Unique history runs deep in this tiny settlement near the Nevada border. A former railroad stop, Nipton saw ambitious attempts to transform it into an eco-friendly retreat and, later, a cannabis tourism destination. Neither fully took off, but the town still offers stargazers and solitude seekers a quiet escape surrounded by endless desert skies.
Kelso
It was once a bustling railroad town, providing an all-important rest stop for steam locomotives. After the railroad moved on, it shrank to just a few buildings. Currently, the restored Kelso Depot serves as a visitor center with insights into the area’s past. The rest of the settlement is now sparsely populated, with a quiet atmosphere.
Sandy Valley
Horse hooves in desert winds are the soundtrack of daily life in Sandy Valley. Situated between California and Nevada, this community lives on its ranching roots. Scattered homesteads across open land are a large part of its identity, while rodeos keep the town’s western spirit alive.
Wonder Valley
Scattered cabins are few and far between the endless desert, each a relic of a dream of the past. The Small Tract Act of 1938 allowed settlers to claim plots of land here, leading to a boom in tiny homesteads. Many were abandoned over time, but artists and off-grid enthusiasts are working to turn them into creative retreats.
Cima
Railroads once made this settlement a hub to keep ranchers and businesses connected to the outside world. As trains slowed and people left, nature reclaimed much of Cima’s terrain. The wildfire in 2020 took its last standing store and left behind the open desert and the striking Joshua tree forests in this quiet, forgotten place.
Tecopa
Warm mineral waters have drawn people to Tecopa for generations. Naturally heated hot springs remain its biggest draw, with a peaceful soak under wide desert skies. History lingers in a small cemetery nearby while local artists breathe new energy into this quiet town. Visitors often come here for the springs but stay for the stillness.
Shoshone
Few expect to find a lush oasis in the Mojave, yet Shoshone proves otherwise. A rare desert wetland supports the endangered Shoshone pupfish, a species that has survived against the odds. Beyond the water, a small museum tells the story of the countryside while travelers refuel at local spots before venturing deeper into Death Valley.
Goffs
Railroad workers, miners, and ranchers kept this place alive, but as industries faded, so did the population. Desert history lives on in Goffs, where a restored schoolhouse now serves as a museum. While only a handful of people live here now, historians continue to visit, preserving the town’s legacy and ensuring its past is never forgotten.
