Need info regarding Calico Ghost town and Rasor Rd

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Sinverguenza

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We will be making a trip to either Calico or Rasor Rd. We don’t want an RV park. We are looking at boon docking on some BLM land or somewhere where we can be camping for a couple of nights. 
 

Have you been to this area and can I just pull into the side roads and camp?

i was looking at the Shell off of Rasor Rd. 
 

What have been your experiences in this area?

Thanks. 

 
We camp at both, but only in the campground at Calico.

Rasor is much better for dry camping IMO. The actual OHV area doesn’t start at the shell station but that’s one of the roads you take to get there. It’s very remote but the terrain is amazing. There’s a couple small dunes, mostly sand covered hardpack. You can also camp off Basin road, it’s closer to the freeway, the road is better maintained and you’re closer to afton canyon. 

 
Tatum41 said:
We camp at both, but only in the campground at Calico.

Rasor is much better for dry camping IMO. The actual OHV area doesn’t start at the shell station but that’s one of the roads you take to get there. It’s very remote but the terrain is amazing. There’s a couple small dunes, mostly sand covered hardpack. You can also camp off Basin road, it’s closer to the freeway, the road is better maintained and you’re closer to afton canyon. 
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So if I exit Rasor rd which way do do I go and for how long?

If I go to Basin Rd how do I know where I can park?

I’m going on President weekend and I want to get there Friday evening/ night. Don’t want to set up where I’m not suppose to. 

 
I camped at Calico last year. Gets very windy in the canyons, so pay attention to how it winds through to find a decent spot. 

We camped here:

34.94117, -116.83931

image.jpeg

Good weekend, lots of fun trails with a mix of rock crawling and high speed and mines to explore. 



 
We boondock camp at Calico 2-3 times a year it's awesome. You have three choices.
image.png
#1 LARGE mostly flat area off the side of Mule Canyon.  This is where we always camp.
image.png
#2 in Mule Canyon. There are some really cool spots but we never wanted to be in the traffic.
image.png
#3 Duran Scenic/Odessa canyon probably the least friendly mostly off camber for camping

image.png

Now riding is mild to wild, lots of "destinations" and tons of cool trails and mines to explore.
 

125150219_1326876210999012_7409230122141482216_n.jpg

151146098_1397907077229258_2838306225396682394_n.jpg

 
Dune-Track-N said:
We boondock camp at Calico 2-3 times a year it's awesome. You have three choices.
View attachment 25050
#1 LARGE mostly flat area off the side of Mule Canyon.  This is where we always camp.
View attachment 25051
#2 in Mule Canyon. There are some really cool spots but we never wanted to be in the traffic.
View attachment 25052
#3 Duran Scenic/Odessa canyon probably the least friendly mostly off camber for camping

View attachment 25053

Now riding is mild to wild, lots of "destinations" and tons of cool trails and mines to explore.
 

View attachment 25054

View attachment 25055
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Oh wow! Thanks for the great info. Just learned that there might be a lot of SXS near Slash X as someone posted La Ruta for Presidents weekend. 
 

will look into Mule Canyon. 

 
Sinverguenza said:
Oh wow! Thanks for the great info. Just learned that there might be a lot of SXS near Slash X as someone posted La Ruta for Presidents weekend. 
 

will look into Mule Canyon. 
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Mule Canyon is the campsite I posted, top circle on @Dune-Track-N's map.  We were there during the week and it was completely empty.

The one thing that pissed me off about the general area is how much facking trash and literal sh!t people leave behind.  It's super depressing to see shooting garbage, feces, white flowers, etc EVERYWHERE.  All of the mining tunnels around the Gatekeeper have been used as toilets. TVs full of holes, sofas, beer cans, and holy balls there's glass everywhere. Sadness.

 
Sinverguenza said:
So if I exit Rasor rd which way do do I go and for how long?

If I go to Basin Rd how do I know where I can park?

I’m going on President weekend and I want to get there Friday evening/ night. Don’t want to set up where I’m not suppose to. 
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From Rasor Rd you head East from the Shell station. The road loops back around the hills and heads south east toward the camping area. It's only about 6 miles from the freeway but the road is pretty beat up rock and asphalt then it turns to dirt with some soft sections. With a trailer or RV you're only able to drive 5-10mph through the rough sections due to the condition of the road. IIRC it would take us 45mins or so to get there once you exit the freeway. Everyone usually camps around the hills here: 35.0972955, -116.1370786. 

From Basin Rd you head South less than a mile and there's a smaller open area to camp on the left near the BLM sign. As Ray said it does get very soft in certain areas so be sure to scope out where you want to park before you pull off the graded road.

The Rasor Rd side has better camping spots but is harder to get to, the Basin Rd side is easier to get to but more limited on space to camp.

Here's a link to the BLM guide and map of the area... https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/Rasor_Mobile_Final.pdf

Due to the remote location this area is not very popular but well worth the trek. It never gets crowded, total opposite of glamis. If you have never been, I'd recommend that you go scope it out in a truck one day before your trip. Calico might be a safer bet for the ease of access.

 
Tatum41 said:
From Rasor Rd you head East from the Shell station. The road loops back around the hills and heads south east toward the camping area. It's only about 6 miles from the freeway but the road is pretty beat up rock and asphalt then it turns to dirt with some soft sections. With a trailer or RV you're only able to drive 5-10mph through the rough sections due to the condition of the road. IIRC it would take us 45mins or so to get there once you exit the freeway. Everyone usually camps around the hills here: 35.0972955, -116.1370786. 

From Basin Rd you head South less than a mile and there's a smaller open area to camp on the left near the BLM sign. As Ray said it does get very soft in certain areas so be sure to scope out where you want to park before you pull off the graded road.

The Rasor Rd side has better camping spots but is harder to get to, the Basin Rd side is easier to get to but more limited on space to camp.

Here's a link to the BLM guide and map of the area... https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/Rasor_Mobile_Final.pdf

Due to the remote location this area is not very popular but well worth the trek. It never gets crowded, total opposite of glamis. If you have never been, I'd recommend that you go scope it out in a truck one day before your trip. Calico might be a safer bet for the ease of access.
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Thanks 

 
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