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    Randsburg - Ghost Town

    4.0 (26 reviews)

    Randsburg - Ghost Town Photos

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    Paul L.

    I've passed through Randsburg a few times but the cheesy wares in their shops never made me linger. Yesterday was Old West Day in Randsburg and it was a great opportunity to take another look. The blocked off main street was lined with old cars, vendors selling tzotchkes, and food booths. There were some families but I noticed a surprisingly large number of drunk, tattooed biker chicks. (Hey, I'm not judging. I'm just reporting what I saw. Maybe they rented a bus and came here as a group activity.) During all of this, a good bluegrass band was playing on the street for a satisfied crowd. It was a beautiful day and I spent time walking the quiet side streets. That was the best part of my visit and definitely worth it. It's a nice town that clearly wants more tourists. Some good small hotels and B&Bs would help. I just hope they don't open a fudge shop. That's the sign that a tourist town has sold-out and crossed the line.

    Christine L.

    It's not really a ghost town...it was crazy busy! It felt like a biker convention was going on. Not a lot of mask wearing, so we didn't stay long. I look forward to visiting when it isn't during a pandemic since now I know it's gonna be busy.

    Aerial view.
    Steve B.

    Best little hidden gem in the desert. I've been stopping by here for years for a quick work break. There's a public restroom that's always clean. There is usually a couple of restraints that are open a few days a week most of the year. The museum is open some holidays and weekends. There's a couple of air B&B's we stayed at. It's just a nice quiet little town you can relax and listen to the wind in.

    Christine A.

    It seems like this is the place to be if you're into motocross and off-roading. Dirtbikes and quads completely filled a lot by one of the bars. Riders clad in insanely bright, neon-colored riding gear could be found in every shop and watering hole in this town-you-can-walk-from-one-end-to-the-other-in-under-5-minutes. All around you see bumper sticker affixed to various vehicles and business windows reading "Where the hell is Randsburg?" Randsburg is small, and some might politely call it "rustic." In its own way, it's charming. There are several antique shops along the lone main street. The lamps outside the bar are bulbs encased in Mason jars. Outhouses are bedecked with kitschy, painted signs like "Her'n" and "Hiz'n" or "We Got Our Bailout." One privy has a TV antenna. One of the garages has a school bus with a Volkswagon bus welded on top with a sundeck and flower boxes hanging off the side. They've even got a little museum full of neat, little artifacts and an outdoor area full of old, mining machinery running on donations. Randsburg is well worth checking out on your way somewhere else, which is probably not near as laid back as this little "living ghost town."

    Jay C.

    I wouldn't call this an "authentic" ghost town (there's businesses here, people living, running water and electricity) but it is close as you can get to being in one. Randsburg is right off of 395, right before Red Mountain. It's not far off the highway, and the access roads are all paved and maintained. The town caters to tourists and off-roaders. Most of the stores on Butte are all in original buildings, which is great. Some of them are refurbished and made up to look old. Some buildings are the real deal. Looking through the town you can see that a lot of the homes and storefronts are from the old mining days. It was a blast to walk through, and since it was not a weekend- basically the entire town was closed. Hardly anyone on the streets. We saw two people. There is an ATM in town, cafes, a bar, an art gallery, antique shops, lodging, etc. We took a walk to the old Butte Mining Camp (posted, but oh well). That was a really cool place to check out, so if you are there- do it. Randsburg was fun, but it's no more of a ghost town than Darwin, Keeler, Red Mountain, etc. People live here... but it is old and original... and beautiful. Check it out. While you are at it, a real ghost town called Garlock is about 15 minutes South. Go even farther and check out the abandon Boron Prison Camp.

    View of the surrounding hills from main street
    Eric P.

    Perfect Road Trip / Day Trip Destination if you live in Los Angeles. lots of great spots to take pictures and a few really friendly people that are Kind Hearted even if you are not spending money in their shops. Lots of the signs posted in the shops have creative and funny comments Like a sign at one of the antique shops that says "Hopen for Business". One shop had a sign that said "Closed pretty much all day everyday accept for when we are open"

    Alondra R.

    Pretty Cool Place, Certainly Way Different From What I'm Used To. This Place Is Around 2 Hours Away From Me But The Drive Felt Like An Eternity Since Our Car AC Broke On The Way, The Desert Heat Is Pretty Brutal So If You Go On A Hot Day Make Sure Your AC Works And Bring A Lot Of Water! We Walked Around A Bit, It Looked Pretty Awesome But We Did Not Go Into Any Stores Unfortunately, We Will Next Time! When You're Here A Lot Of The Buildings Make You Feel As If You Are In An Old Wild West Movie Or Something Lol. To See My Cool Adventure At This Ghost Town Watch My YouTube Video, It Is Called: Roadtrip To A Ghost Town! Randsburg Living Ghost Town (Johannesburg California Mining Town)

    Cute little buildings!
    Lucky S.

    Only a few hours outside of LA, a must see if you like exploring and checking out old relics in ghost towns/old mining towns. Yes, you may get the distinct feeling of the hills have eyes and be watching your back upon entering Randsburg the first time, but you will soon discover a little ghost town steeped with character and meet some very interesting people while there. Be sure to bring a camera...there are a ton of things to take pictures of. And don't leave without giving the existing shops some business. There is a museum, general store and neat antique stores to spend money at.

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Beautiful historic town.... So much history and quite a lot to look at in the beautiful desert.

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    Review Highlights - Randsburg - Ghost Town

    Randsburgh is a living ghost town and is a fascinating destination for history buffs and adventure seekers alike.

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    Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area - Lizard, lizard

    Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area

    4.2(6 reviews)
    24.6 km

    I have had the Desert Tortoise Natural Area (DTNA) on my list of places to visit for a few years…read more Since I was camping nearby, I jumped at the opportunity. Passing through sleepy and imprecisely-named California City then on to the sandy Randsburg Mohave Road, it became clear why the desert tortoise -- California's official state reptile -- has been facing extinction. Housing has encroached and off-road vehicles play in this habitat seemingly disconnected from the consequences of their actions. Reaching the DTNA, the large amount of special fencing at the perimeter illustrates the amount of effort required to protect these animals. A gravel parking lot, pit toilet and small interpretive kiosk are the only amenities so come prepared for the visit and the weather. Interpretive brochures are available on the trails to lend perspective and, perhaps, more importantly, lower expectations. I walked all of the flat trails and aside from some small lizards and long-eared rabbits, I saw no tortoises or even the really venomous Mohave green rattlesnakes. If you're into creosote bushes, though, this is the place for you. Unfortunately, there's not much to inspire taking out the camera. So, did I like my experience? Well, I wasn't sure but I sorted this out as I sat watching the sunset back at my campsite. It's not about the visitor at all: it's about the tortoise. It's reassuring to know that this protected area exists and that many volunteers and experts have devoted so much of their time to the cause of saving the tortoise. That feels good. Selfishly, I'll be back in the Spring when the desert flowers are blooming and maybe I'll be lucky to see a tortoise or two basking in the milder temperatures.

    Call it a bit of beginner's luck but my three children and two nieces, ages3-15, and I had a great…read moreexperience. We got some guidance from Ms. Sharon on some earlier tortoise sightings and took that loop. We saw plenty of lizards, including a couple horned lizards, caterpillars, gopher and rattle snakes, empty tortoise burrows and finally just before turning to head back, a desert tortoise. Mission accomplished! He was burrowed but we still saw him. Yes the bathroom isn't that great but it was clean in general. Don't look in the whole, lol. It's a fine piece of construction for an outhouse. I believe I saw a sidewinder just outside the preserve fence while I was trying to find the entrance. It was moving so fast and peculiar from average snake. Tip: stay on Randsburg-Mohave Rd to get to entrance.

    Photos
    Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area - Don't hurt the tortoises

    Don't hurt the tortoises

    Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area - Restroom

    Restroom

    Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area - Horned lizard out and about

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    Horned lizard out and about

    Randsburg - Ghost Town - localflavor - Updated July 2026

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