Zzyzx, California
Mojave Desert’s Forgotten Oasis

What Is Zzyzx?

Hidden off Interstate 15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Zzyzx, California (pronounced Zye-zix) is one of the Mojave Desert’s most unusual destinations. Known for its strange name, its quirky past, and its crumbling remains, Zzyzx is both a ghost town and a living research site. Today, the California State University Desert Studies Center occupies the property, but the ruins of its past as a health resort still tell a fascinating story.

The Strange Origins of Zzyzx

In the mid-1940s, Curtis Howe Springer, a self-proclaimed “old-time medicine man,” founded the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa. Springer marketed the desert oasis as a luxury retreat, complete with mineral baths, a church, a castle-like structure, and even an airstrip.

But much of it was smoke and mirrors. The “hot springs” were heated with a boiler, and Springer’s miracle cures were denounced by the American Medical Association, which nicknamed him the “King of Quacks.” For nearly three decades, Springer ran the resort while broadcasting religious radio programs and soliciting donations from listeners.

In 1974, the federal government revoked Springer’s land claim. He was evicted, and the property was later transferred to the Bureau of Land Management and leased to the California State University system.

Zzyzx Desert Studies Center

Zzyzx Today

Today, the Desert Studies Center uses the site for scientific research, but the public can still walk through its decaying remains. The desert is slowly reclaiming the property, eroding concrete, swallowing fountains, and weathering street signs.

Visitors entering the site are greeted by the ironically named “Boulevard of Dreams.” Once a grand entryway, it now leads past crumbling bunkhouses, a dining hall, empty spa pools, and the resort’s cracked centerpiece fountain. What once flowed with spring water is now stagnant, a reminder of how quickly human ambition can fade in the desert.

Boulevard of Dreams Zzyzx

How to Visit Zzyzx

Directions: Take Interstate 15 to Exit 239 (Zzyzx Road), about 4.5 miles south of Baker, California. Follow Zzyzx Road west until it dead-ends at the site.
Parking: Available near the entrance.
What to See: Abandoned resort buildings, the old fountain, Soda Dry Lake, and panoramic views of the Soda Mountains.
Tips: Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and respect posted signs. While the site is open to the public, some buildings are restricted to Desert Studies Center use.

abandoned resort Mojave Desert

Why Zzyzx Matters

Zzyzx isn’t just a quirky roadside attraction—it’s a lesson in the power of the desert. No matter how extravagant Springer’s vision was, the Mojave’s winds, heat, and shifting sands have reclaimed what he built. The desert endures while man-made dreams fade.

Walking among the ruins, you’re reminded that the true treasures of the Mojave are its natural wonders: the creosote and yucca, the coyotes and lizards, the Soda Mountains and open skies. Zzyzx is a ghost town, yes, but also a living classroom and a snapshot of the desert’s resilience.

Zzyzx mineral springs resort

Frequently Asked Questions About Zzyzx

Why is it called Zzyzx?

Curtis Howe Springer invented the name to be “the last word in the English language.”

Can you visit Zzyzx today?

Yes. While some facilities are used by the Desert Studies Center, the site is open for self-guided walking tours.

How far is Zzyzx from Las Vegas?

About 100 miles southwest, roughly a 1.5-hour drive.

What makes Zzyzx unique?

Its odd name, eccentric founder, and ruins make it one of the Mojave’s most unusual ghost towns.

Final Reflection

Zzyzx, California is more than an abandoned spa—it’s a reminder that the Mojave Desert always has the last word. Amid broken fountains and fading signs, the desert itself remains eternal. For travelers seeking history, mystery, and desert beauty, Zzyzx is a must-see stop.