## Overview

Amboy Crater, formed of ash and cinders, is 250 feet high and 1,500 feet in
diameter. It is situated in one of the youngest volcanic fields in the United
States. The site offers picnic tables, restroom facilities, hiking trail to
the rim with rest stations along the way, and an ADA ramada overlook for
viewing.

Amboy Crater was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973 and is
recognized for its visual and geological significance. Amboy Crater is an
example of a very symmetrical volcanic cinder cone. There is a breach on the
west side of the crater where basaltic lava poured out over a vast area of 24
square miles, which contains lava lakes, collapsed lava tubes and sinks,
spatter cones and massive flows of basalt. Amboy Crater lies about halfway
between Barstow and Needles (about 66 miles from each) off Historic Route 66
National Trails Highway.

## Before You Go

Amboy Crater and surrounding area are unique volcanic environments where
temperatures can get very hot. Make sure to pack plenty of water and check the
local weather before your trip.

National Weather Service forecast for Amboy Crater and surrounding areas.

<h2>Overview</h2>Amboy Crater, formed of ash and cinders, is 250 feet high and 1,500 feet in diameter.  It is situated in one of the youngest volcanic fields in the United States.  The site offers picnic tables, restroom facilities, hiking trail to the rim with rest stations along the way, and an ADA ramada overlook for viewing. <p>Amboy Crater was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973 and is recognized for its visual and geological significance. Amboy Crater is an example of a very symmetrical volcanic cinder cone. There is a breach on the west side of the crater where basaltic lava poured out over a vast area of 24 square miles, which contains lava lakes, collapsed lava tubes and sinks, spatter cones and massive flows of basalt. Amboy Crater lies about halfway between Barstow and Needles (about 66 miles from each) off Historic Route 66 National Trails Highway.<p><h2>Before You Go</h2>Amboy Crater and surrounding area are unique volcanic environments where temperatures can get very hot. Make sure to pack plenty of water and check the local weather before your trip. <p><a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=34.55841490000006&lon=-115.74541989999994#.XLdQe5hKiUl" rel="nofollow">National Weather Service forecast for Amboy Crater and surrounding areas.</a>

Bird's eye view of the park

Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark

The Mojave Trails National Monument spans 1.6 million acres of federal lands,
including more than 350,000 acres of already Congressionally-designated
wilderness, managed by the Bureau of Land Management between Barstow and
Needles, California. It is a stunning mosaic of rugged mountain ranges,
ancient lava flows, and spectacular sand dunes. The monument contains the
longest remaining undeveloped stretch of Route 66 and some of the best
preserved sites from the World War II-era Desert Training Center. Connecting
the Mojave National Preserve with Joshua Tree National Park, the Mojave Trails
National Monument ensures the biological connectivity of this landscape while
preserving traditional uses such hunting and off-highway vehicle recreation.

The Mojave Trails National Monument spans 1.6 million acres of federal lands, including more than 350,000 acres of already Congressionally-designated wilderness, managed by the Bureau of Land Management between Barstow and Needles, California. It is a stunning mosaic of rugged mountain ranges, ancient lava flows, and spectacular sand dunes. The monument contains the longest remaining undeveloped stretch of Route 66 and some of the best preserved sites from the World War II-era Desert Training Center. Connecting the Mojave National Preserve with Joshua Tree National Park, the Mojave Trails National Monument ensures the biological connectivity of this landscape while preserving traditional uses such hunting and off-highway vehicle recreation.

Mojave Trails National Monument

The Trilobite Wilderness covers the Marble Mountains, a narrow volcanic range
extending 12 miles in a northwest-southwest direction. Alternating dark brown
and light brown striations have been tilted by geologic processes and give a
marbled appearance to the range. Through the center, several yellowish
sandstone peaks with long talus slopes are prominent. Trending eastward from
the mountain range, the wilderness includes low rolling hills and sloping
bajadas. Wildlife is also typical for the Mojave Desert. The area does have a
very stable permanent population of bighorn sheep last estimated at around
150, and the eastern portion of the wilderness provides critical habitat for
the threatened desert tortoise. The wilderness is located in the central
portion of the sector and consists of 37,308 acres. It is bordered by a gas
pipeline on the north, Kelbaker Road on the west, and a few BLM routes to the
south.

The Trilobite Wilderness covers the Marble Mountains, a narrow volcanic range extending 12 miles in a northwest-southwest direction.  Alternating dark brown and light brown striations have been tilted by geologic processes and give a marbled appearance to the range.  Through the center, several yellowish sandstone peaks with long talus slopes are prominent.  Trending eastward from the mountain range, the wilderness includes low rolling hills and sloping bajadas. Wildlife is also typical for the Mojave Desert.  The area does have a very stable permanent population of bighorn sheep last estimated at around 150, and the eastern portion of the wilderness provides critical habitat for the threatened desert tortoise.  The wilderness is located in the central portion of the sector and consists of 37,308 acres.  It is bordered by a gas pipeline on the north, Kelbaker Road on the west, and a few BLM routes to the south.

Trilobite Wilderness

This area, on the southern boundary of the Trilobite Wilderness, is a popular
place to explore for hemetite and magnetite, found in reddish-brown iron
deposits near mining shafts, and for green epidote, found in the washes. An
abandoned quarry yields sizable chunks of limestone and marble. In adjacent
canyons tiny garnets, with dark red and brown crystals, can be found. Epidote
is also scattered about and much of it contains bright metallic hematite
blades. Farther east in yet another canyon you will find a gray ridge of
limestone embedded with many interesting fossils.

This area, on the southern boundary of the Trilobite Wilderness, is a popular place to explore for hemetite and magnetite, found in reddish-brown iron deposits near mining shafts, and for green epidote, found in the washes.  An abandoned quarry yields sizable chunks of limestone and marble.  In adjacent canyons tiny garnets, with dark red and brown crystals, can be found.  Epidote is also scattered about and much of it contains bright metallic hematite blades.  Farther east in yet another canyon you will find a gray ridge of limestone embedded with many interesting fossils.

Chambless Rock Collecting Area

The Bristol Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 71,385 acres and is
managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the
state of California. In 1994 the Bristol Mountains Wilderness became part of
the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In
wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and
extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age of _"...increasing
population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing
mechanization,..."_ you play an important role in helping to _"...secure for
the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an
enduring resource of wilderness"_ as called for by Congress in the Wilderness
Act of 1964. Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use
Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique
natural and experiential qualities.

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in
different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of
the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply.

**Leave No Trace principles:**

  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  3. Dispose of Waste Properly
  4. Leave What You Find
  5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
  6. Respect Wildlife
  7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

**Regulations:**  
Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally
prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the
use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, motorized equipment,
bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of
aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation.
In a few areas some exceptions allowing the use of motorized equipment or
mechanical transport are described in the special regulations in effect for a
specific area. Contact the agency for more information about regulations.

<br>The Bristol Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 71,385 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California. In 1994 the Bristol Mountains Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age of <em>"...increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization,..."</em> you play an important role in helping to <em>"...secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness"</em> as called for by Congress in the <a href="http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=legisact" rel="nofollow">Wilderness Act of 1964</a>. Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique natural and experiential qualities.<p>How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply.<p><b>Leave No Trace principles:</b><ol><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_1.php" rel="nofollow">Plan Ahead and Prepare</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_2.php" rel="nofollow">Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_3.php" rel="nofollow">Dispose of Waste Properly</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_4.php" rel="nofollow">Leave What You Find</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_5.php" rel="nofollow">Minimize Campfire Impacts</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_6.php" rel="nofollow">Respect Wildlife</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_7.php" rel="nofollow">Be Considerate of Other Visitors</a></li></ol><p><b>Regulations:</b><br>Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation. In a few areas some exceptions allowing the use of motorized equipment or mechanical transport are described in the special regulations in effect for a specific area. Contact the agency for more information about regulations.

Bristol Mountains Wilderness

Marble Mountain Fossil Bed contains one of the classic Cambrian trilobite
fossil sites within the Western United States. The Marble Mountain Fossil Beds
lie in a beautiful shale formation that is 60-feet thick and over 550 million
years old. Trilobites were small marine crustaceans that resemble modern-day
horseshoe crabs. Trilobite refers to the three long spinal sections of the
skeleton. Trilobites are extinct arthropods that disappeared approximately 250
million years ago. You may collect a reasonable number of invertebrate fossils
and rocks for personal use without a permit and free of charge of BLM lands.
Personal collections cannot be sold or bartered for personal gain, and
commercial collecting is not allowed without a permit. Only hand tools may be
used; explosives and power equipment are not allowed. Collecting may not be
allowed in special management areas, such as wilderness and national historic
sites or on mining claims.

<p>Marble Mountain Fossil Bed contains one of the classic Cambrian trilobite fossil sites within the Western United States. The Marble Mountain Fossil Beds lie in a beautiful shale formation that is 60-feet thick and over 550 million years old. Trilobites were small marine crustaceans that resemble modern-day horseshoe crabs. Trilobite refers to the three long spinal sections of the skeleton. Trilobites are extinct arthropods that disappeared approximately 250 million years ago. You may collect a reasonable number of invertebrate fossils and rocks for personal use without a permit and free of charge of BLM lands. Personal collections cannot be sold or bartered for personal gain, and commercial collecting is not allowed without a permit. Only hand tools may be used; explosives and power equipment are not allowed. Collecting may not be allowed in special management areas, such as wilderness and national historic sites or on mining claims.</p>

Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark

Overview

Before You Go

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Mojave Trails National Monument

Trilobite Wilderness

Chambless Rock Collecting Area

Bristol Mountains Wilderness

Marble Mountain Rock Collecting Area (Trilobite)