Afton Canyon
The Grand Canyon of the Mojave Desert
About This Video
Located in California’s Mojave Desert, Afton Canyon is often called the “Grand Canyon of the Mojave.” This scenic slot canyon was carved by the Mojave River and is one of the few places where the river flows above ground. Our DesertUSA video highlights the area's colorful cliffs, desert vegetation, and wildlife, as well as its history as part of the Union Pacific Railroad corridor. Off-road trails, BLM land camping, and hiking opportunities make Afton Canyon a popular destination for desert explorers and overland adventurers.
More Information
Articles on:
Afton Canyon - The call of water
Cars cannot swim
Afton Canyon Reverie
Afton Canyon Preserve
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Mojave National Preserve
Located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas is the Mojave National Preserve, a 1.6 million acre park. Trains pass through this area over rails built by the Union Pacific, leading to Kelso. See the Kelso Depot, built in 1924 and closed in 1985. It has been completely restored, and is now Mojave NP's information center, with museum exhibits and historically furnished rooms.
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Amboy Road at Sheeps Hole Pass looks into the big basin of Bristol Dry Lake, which was covered by the sea about four million years ago. Across the salt lake, Amboy Dry Crater rises in the distance. The town of Amboy dates back to 1858; it became a critical gas and rest stop on Route 66 after World War II. When I-40 bypassed it in 1972, Amboy almost became a ghost town. Follow the DesertUSA team as they revisit old Route 66 in the Mohave and take a look at some historic sites along the way.
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