Rainbow Basin Natural Area Reviews

Taking the scenic drive you can see why this area was named the Rainbow Basin. The rocks varied in colour; red, gold, brown, green, gray, etc.
Well worth the drive along the dusty gravel road (road is well maintained).

Lotts of old abandon pot farm trash on the way there along with random drug addicts encampments the barstow and high desert area is not safe the natural beauty of the desert is spoiled I would not recommend this trip

Wonderful geographic area. Unusual rock formations and color combinations. One can drive thru the area as well as explore on foot

It's just a few short miles to the Rainbow Basin one way loop. 4 wheel drive is not needed but a passenger car won't do either. The rock colors and formations are awesome. We took a lot of pictures and got out of the truck a few times also. The entire loop is only 3-4 miles of a dirt desert road. A few hair pin turns and a few rocky ruts that make the use of high clearance necessary. It's free, it's easy to get to and from, and it's pretty cool. I would recommend a friend to go or even go there again to share the exporence with a friend or family member.

A bit of Death Valley's Artist's Palette that is much closer. The dirt roads can be driven in any passenger car.

If you're seeking to travel beyond the norms of home, you may consider space travel. However, this is currently limited to Bezos, Musk, and Branson. So for now, consider Rainbow Basin, where the multi-colored layers of rock and bizarre formations will leave you in awe. After a long dirt road excursion, you'll find a narrow road that will take you along a narrow, windy passage between massive towers of rocks that resemble another planet or at minimum, on a Hollywood set for one.

We began our visit to the Rainbow Basin Natural Area with a hike along Owl Canyon that unfortunately wasn't particularly interesting. But then we began driving along the lovely Rainbow Basin Scenic Drive, which led us to an overlook where we parked and hiked along a lovely wash. That's a much better bet than Owl Canyon. We enjoyed both driving and hiking on the Rainbow Basin Scenic Drive.

We were in Barstow for the Gem and Mineral Show on 12/03/2016 - 12/04/2016. We heard about Rainbow Basin from a couple from Brazil, at the motel breakfast. We toured it around 9 am. Do not go if it has rained. We are off-roaders so we are use to rough roads. There is a sign about no RV's or trailers. This is very true. We have a pickup and several turns were quite sharp. The views were really interesting. Some formations reminded us of Red Rock Canyon on Hwy. 14, California. There isn't a LOT of color, but enough to make it beautiful. "The Tree" is a Joshua Tree-Yucca brevifolia. The bark is gorgeous. We would like to go again at a different time of day to see the light changes on the formations. We drove the loop. It took about one and a half hours. I think it would be tough on a hot Barstow day.

My husband and I visited Rainbow Basin several years ago and loved it. We were in the area again and wanted to take our sons to see it. Be advised that if it has recently rained the road will be muddy and washed out in places. We decided to turn around as we were just in a rental car. All the vehicles that we passed were four wheel drive.

This area has very interesting and unusual geology! The colors and stratum of the rocky hills and canyons are fascinating. It reminded me of Artist's Palette at Death Valley National Park. Rainbow Basin is located about 10 miles north of Barstow off Irwin Road; From Main Street, take 1st Avenue and Irwin Road north about 6.8 miles and turn west on Fossil Bed Road. The turn is marked with a brown BLM sign. From there it's about 3 miles to Rainbow Basin. The one-way loop drive through the basin is approximately 4.7 miles. Fossil Bed Road and the Rainbow Basin Scenic Drive are both graded dirt/gravel roads. We watched the weather forecast for a couple of weeks before we visited to be sure conditions were dry. When we arrived it was arid and dusty, and the road surfaces were firm, though bumpy in some areas due to washboard and erosion. We were able to drive through in a low-clearance passenger car. A few spots on the curvy Rainbow Basin Loop were pretty narrow (no trailers or motorhomes). There are some places where you can pull over and get out to explore, but no wheelchair access. The small campground (fee) is first-come, first-served with no hookups or dump facilities. Restrooms are available at the campground. This is a remote and rugged desert area; go prepared with a full gas tank, snacks and plenty of water. There's very little shade so sun exposure will be intense any time of year, but dangerously so during the summer. Check the weather forecast and inquire about road conditions if it has rained recently.

Pictures do not do justice to the out-of-this-world geological features you will see on this scenic road. If you are anywhere near Barstow, you must visit. Free. I drove the entire road in a regular care, no 4-wheel drive, and I was fine. Check road conditions and weather, though, and bring water. And don't forget your camera!

The rocks are fun to walk thru but be careful as there are lots of loose rock. It's deceiving. My girls almost slid down a rock slide so be careful!

This was an exciting, unexpected spur of the moment day trip that we took our two boys to explore. This place was full of different kinds of rock and sediment that ranged in color that had us in so much wonder! For the ones who can't get out and hike much it's perfect to enjoy straight from the car (we drove through in a prius). If you do decide to take a hike, equip yourself with the best shoes as in some areas it is very rocky. A camera is a must. You can make this an all day event or cut it short. A campground is nearby, I didn't care to much for the wind but will be back soon for sure! We loved it!!

Really worth the visit, it only takes a couple hours to go, do the loop and be ready to move on, and it is really really a unique view and a very special sight. Basically, you loop around inside your car, not sure it makes any sense to stop. I could not go at the best hours (early morning or late afternoon) and still found it worth the while. Very recommended if you have the time.

We had one day visiting the Mojave National Preserve and the morning after we decided spending some time here.
Then the Rainbow Basin Natural Area has really been a beautiful surprise for me and my friends. We had limited time available so we just went driving through the are with a few stops when something looked more exciting, however we have seen that there are quite of number of chances for hiking around the rocks as well as some climbing that did not look difficult.
One could say that you just look at stones, but their appearance and the colors are really amazing and this makes really worth the visit even if the road is not exactly done for your best comfort: it is unpaved and unequal, but no real trouble.
As I read, we got more than we expected from this experience.

If you're passing through Barstow and have a few hours then definitely go find this trail. I found this area first on TripAdvisor, but then I found this hike using Alltrails.
We visited on a cold windy March Friday morning, and we were the only rig in the lot. There is no parking at the actual trailhead. Using Google Maps, find Rainbow Basin Basecamp - that's the parking area. No facilities whatsoever.
Walk a quarter mile up the road PAST the wooden stakes that mark one wash and go up the next the wash that is underneath the really cool slanted green layer cake rock formation - see the first picture.
Toto, I don't think we're in Utah anymore... Yes, this is called "Rainbow Basin" but realistically it's just not that colorful. The mudstone and rock layer formations have really jazzy shapes, but the color palate is mostly a lot of taupe and gray, with some splashes of muted greens and pinks. That said, the slot canyon was a lot of fun to ascend. If you're willing to scramble a bit, you can keep going beyond the trail as indicated in Alltrails, but the side walls are shorter and eventually it loses the "slot" canyon aspect.
The main dirt road into the area, off Irwin, is wide and in generally good shape, even after a rainy winter. The one-way loop road to get to the slot canyon intersects with the wash several times, and so it was in fairly bad shape - a long low sedan might not make it. Even with a slightly high-riding Lexus NX I felt compelled several times to get out of the rig to fill in particularly bad ruts with more rocks to avoid scraping bottom.

Good short trip, or short not-too-far out-of-the-way location. Decent hiking, an easy drive through loop (SUV or truck, not sedan), and scenic in the dry, blasted, Mojave fashion. Worth a few hours if it isn't too hot.

A cool place. Not far off Route 66. Just north of the center of Batstow. Worth the drive especially if you are into geology.

Rainbow Basin is just outside Barstow and offers easy access to regular passenger cars and it appears there are additional opportunities for those with more rugged vehicles and those that are hiking/camping. We spent a good 2+ hours driving and stopping and taking pictures and really enjoyed it. The colors reminded us of Artist's Palette in Death Valley. This is a good side trip in between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, especially if you're splitting the drive and spending one night in Barstow.

Only a few miles outside of Barstow is the Rainbow Basin Natural Area. An 8 mile dirt road takes you on a loop through the amazing, colorful rock formations. I had read online that high clearance vehicles were recommended. The loop road was recommended by the folks at the railroad museum who love it here and said that regular cars were fine. The sign at the entrance simply stated that no RV's or trailers were allowed. We decided to take our chances. I have never seen so many different colored rocks in one place. Every turn showed something even more beautiful. We did have to stop a couple times and fill in some ruts in the road that had been washed out by rain. It was well worth it.

The drive through Rainbow Basis is quite breathtaking, considering it is through the desert. We rode through in a Jeep, which was quite handy in some areas of the road. Many people, though, take ordinary vehicles with camping trailers towed behind, and don't appear to have trouble getting through. In fact, quite a number of folks were camped along the drive, and apparently, camping is free. However, the drive through the area is truly worth the effort; the rock formations are multi-colored and gorgeous.

Went trail running today starting at the owl canyon camping area. The natural area is free for day use and $6 per night for camping. The canyons were amazing there and tons of trails that are not mapped. This place was amazing to take pictures and hike around. Excited to camp here in the spring.

Found Rainbow Basin Natural Area and Owl Canyon near Barstow very beautiful and hardly anyone their which made it perfect for not being congested, we loved it would go back anytime we are in the area.

Rainbow Basin is a geological formation in the Calico Peaks range, located approximately 8 miles north of Barstow in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. No restroom. Bring your water and camera!!!

Great, quick outing from Barstow. Worth the detour even if you're passing through. Fun little drive, only takes an hour or so. Lots of hiking trails if you have more time.

A quick drive from Barstow, Rainbow Basin is a wondrous eyeful that can be enjoyed from the car or with a hike at one of the parking spots provided. Go in the morning or as dusk approaches, to catch how the light changes the colors of the rock formations.

Exciting- went early and got a sense of solitude and isolation. Managed to avoid getting lost! Well worth the effort

Decided to take the kids through Rainbow Basin Natural Area at the spur of the moment. It's well worth the little detour off the Interstate, especially if you're a rock hound and enjoy geology. We did the short loop drive through the basin area. The road out to the site is graded, but still rough in spots, so low clearance vehicles will probably have a rough go of it. We have an SUV, so it was no problem getting out to the basin site. As you near the basin there will be a campground off to the right. We plan to camp there in the future, but for this trip we bypassed it in favor of drivable trail. There are several interesting rock formations to see out there, a couple of tight turns, and some pretty interesting soil colors. There are a couple of small spots to stop and get out and look around, and the whole area is crisscrossed with various hiking trails. My kids thought the drive was pretty cool, and they've asked to go again when we're in the area next time.

Remote desert location: beauty worth the tip. Folded, molded, strata layered in colors and shapes out of a wild dream set in a silent and soulful xeric area. Plus, colorful lizards and prehistoric looking desert tortoises. Put on your big floppy sunhat, bring at least a gallon of cold water per person per day, and experience two eyefuls of modern awe and amazement at a site that predates written history. Desert sites like this have always been places to retreat and set man's soul on the right track again. Rainbow Basin is there, waiting since ancient days, for you.

It is a must the road in the desert and the scenic road was worth the detour the off roads are amazing||

When we made plans to go to this area I must admit that I was not at all excited. So much of the area just seems like desert and while there is certainly beauty there it was not for me. I was surprised. The colors of the ground and untainted desert area are impressive and breathtaking. Would definitely go again.

The BLM has a very nice campground in this Natural Area, called Owl Canyon Campground.

Sites are only $6 as of this date, and it rarely fills. It often has a host, but doesn't currently have water. Each site has a grill and a firepit, and a ramada for shade. Sites are pretty big, but you can also get some privacy. There's even a mini playground for kids. Pit toilets. You can pretty much hike all over the place, and if you're lucky you'll spot some of the fossils that the area is known for.

Although the area is desert, it can also get quite cold in the winter months, so be prepared. Elevaton is 3000', and there are 30 sites.

This was a stark moonscape through interesting hills. The road got difficult at one point (we were there in completely dry weather). The colors were interesting but not vivid or very diverse.

Rainbow basin has a great trail for an easy hike there is soft sand but it's not bad. There are toilets and facets. Good place to camp just doesn't have showers.

Though the roads are unpaved, our low to the ground Acura made it thru without any problems. We were the only ones out there & got out several times to walk. The different colors were awesome! Worth the trip & a must see!

Rock formations were pretty and the road at the time we went was not washed out. Only one tiny section of the road was a little dicey but our crossover handled it fine.

We were passing through Barstow and looking for a chance to get off the highway. We are always on the lookout for hikes and scenic drives and Rainbow Basin did not disappoint. It’s a short drive into the desert to reach the scenic route through the canyon. Just beautiful! There are turnouts along the way where you can park and explore. Some tight turns but we had no trouble in our mid-size SUV. Definitely worth it if you have an hour or two.

Exellant geology tat people ome from around te world to see. Campground nearby for $6 a nigt run by te BLM.

A little side trip that is worth it. A little gem north of Barstow that is worth the side trip if you like geology of the Mohave desert .

A very natural area. If you like natural beauty, this is a good place. Not exciting, just desert natural.

We had two nights in Barstow and decided to visit the Rainbow Basin Natural Area, even if several reviews warned that a SUV or 4WD was needed.
Good thing we decided to go in our rented sedan anyway, because there was no problems getting there and through the one way loop (a few places needed careful driving that's all). And the place is so beautiful!

If you like awesome nature and attractions with virtually no catering for the crowd this place is perfect!

Beware that there are several VERY steep areas and even grown ups should exercise extreme caution if you decide to climb the formations. (We did, and it was totally worth it!)

Nice place kept clean :-) has nice places to sit down to eat beautiful views. Good place to go with kids. Good spot to look at stars :-)

A short drive from town takes you to the geological feature called Rainbow Basin, home of the "Barstow Incline". There are places to park and get out along the way, though the road seems pretty narrow in places. Not for long/large vehicles. There is a campground nearby if you want to stay the night and explore the slot canyons. Would also avoid after a recent rain, I drove through a few puddles that could have been a problem if I'd gone a day earlier. Fantastic photo opportunities and great for rockhounds. There are fossils around, but mostly in areas where people probably shouldn't go; best to leave them where they are regardless. If you do a little internet searching you can see where they are/were so you know where to look from the trail. The Mojave River Valley Museum in town has lots of samples to look at if you want more information.

very beautiful canyon to drive thru. needs a cleaning from the idiots who graffiti it but still worth the drive. camping would enhance this experience

Wonderful attraction outside Barstow. We were there after the unusually heavy rains. Much of the roads were partially washed out. When you see it you will know why they call it Rainbow the colors are amazing

I knew I'd be surrounded by rock and there would be a general color scheme, but I was astounded when sunset came and the somewhat monotone colors turned, quite literally, rainbow! The shapes and shadows made me feel like I was in a different world, and yet, the I also felt the age of this earth. It's an unforgettable place! You can simply drive through, but I guarantee you'll be compelled to stop and climb (EASY climbing-no special skills needed). The road is dirt and there are potholes, so I wouldn't take a luxury or low riding vehicle, but going slow could be done in any car. Because of the terrain a 4WD would be ideal, but not necessary.

I found this little side trip through Tripadvisor and was so glad I did. We were staying at Barstow on the way to LV and decided to have a little side trip. My boys aged 11 and 14 loved what they called the adventure. We were also very priviliged to have spotted some road runners in the scrub and watched them for a while. The road is very accessabile for all vehicles and the views are worth the drive out there.

Interesting drive to Rainbow Basin, not as colourful as we had hoped but pleasant enough. I am a 59 yes old woman and I negotiated the road ok but this may not be for everyone. We took an ordinary saloon car and crunched our way through, please view all my photos for state of road in Sept 2015. There are no restrooms etc but this is only about eight miles outside Barstow.

Almost didn't go! So glad I did! Such an interesting place, well worth the 10-15 min. ride out there. We drove our car (Altima), no problems...

The road was well maintained when we drove it in our little Honda Fit. This is not a 4X4 but did excellent on the drive. The colors are not brilliant like a rainbow but they are still very nice. This is not a very busy attraction with not services but still a nice visit.

This place is out of this world. If you are a geology enthusiast, this is the place to go. The shifting and layers of the rocks are amazing. The rocks are many colored, hence the name, Rainbow Basin. A nice day for only the cost of gas.

Very beautiful and a little bumpy drive through the natural desert. We drove our Subaru Forester and had no problems with the unsealed road. If it is raining I would highly recommend 4-wheel drive. Otherwise, if you drive an high clearance SUV you should be fine.

Beautiful place. Love the colors and formations. Geology is wonderful. Enjoyed the scenic drives as the valley walls get closer and closer as your car wanders through the basin. The road Is nicely graded that goes through a wash. Very epic, scenic panoramic views. Highly recommend spring, fall or winter times to visit as it can get hot!! We went in February, Not too far of a drive from Barstow or on the dirt road. We also hiked among the Mojave desert vegetation and enjoyed the Joshua trees. Think we got a glimpse of the lakebed with Goldstone. Great picture taking opportunities!

Beautiful rock formations and great area to piknic or hike! You can drive through with normal car...not a good idea for a lowered car or corvette..but 4wd is not needed.

there really is not much to do out therein barstow but this was a nice little hike and very pretty take water its hot

An awesomely beautiful part of the world and well worth a visit....in the right vehicle.
We done it in a convertible hire car and parts were challenging to say the least, best done in a 4x4 I'd say.
Saying that I would recommend a visit

Soooo we went on this little loop trip and let me start by saying it is a GREAT experience. Real beauty and sooo many colours. HOWEVER, you need a solid vehicle as in solid!!!!! Enjoy folks

A small off-road loop just a few miles north of Barstow which showcases lots of interesting rock formations and colorful scenery. The roads are unpaved and just a bit rocky but as I had a truck I didn't think they were a problem and had seen worse! I saw one car leaving as I arrived, but otherwise the trail was pretty empty--by that I mean pretty and empty, which gave me the ability to stop in the middle of the road to take photos. I didn't have time to stop at the trailhead and take a walk, so I haven't had the whole experience. I'm going to say a solid 4 out of 5 though, as the trail does need some maintaining. There were a few piles of beer cans at the pull out, and the latter half of the loop was unmarked, which could leave people lost as they try to decide which of the trails looked more or less traveled when they try to find their way back to the road. GPS signal will get you there and back though!

We have driven this loop drive twice and it is very interesting. You can see the geology and uplift in the rock formations - some look like the remains of huge dinosaurs. No matter what time of year, the changing light gives great color displays. Worth the ride on gravel roads. Unique.

Driving out to the Natural Landmark was a nice little adventure. After driving a few miles along increasingly less-civilized roads out into the desert north of Barstow, you arrive at a dirt road that winds up through the canyons (a one-way loop drive) and yields some very nice views of the colored landscape and clever formations. The road is a bit rough and some of the turns are a tight squeeze, but nothing too tough or scary. It was a lot of fun. There is a small parking lot at the main overlook. Very isolated...we were the only ones there. The obvious comparison is the "Artists Drive" in Death Valley--except this road is not paved, and the colors here are not as vivid. Definitely worth the short drive. And look out for the smashed-up green player piano!

We found this on a map and went to check it out while passing through Barstow. Instead of doing the driving loop (which we were told requires 4-wheel drive) we decided to walk it. The views were beautiful of jagged mountains striped with colorful minerals. Even the stones on the ground were colorful. When it got dark, the sky view was awesome. No light anywhere so the stars were amazing. We saw signs for hiking trails but couldn't find them. We wished there was more of a map and better signs. The Ranger Station in Barstow is closed on weekends (!!) so we couldn't get more information there.

Despite the warnings, you can easily drive this gravel road in a passenger vehicle, at least in dry weather. The colors and formations are beautiful. There are even a couple hikes.

You can get a great view of faulting in an easily understood layout, plus some of the most spectacular pocket canyon scenery anywhere. For anyone even slightly interested in geology it's a must.

Easy to get to from Barstow and a wonder to see. Why is this place here. Amazing really. We drove through on Saturday and had to go back on Sunday for more. We hiked through the hills and washes in Rainbow basin. It was a fun geologic adventure.

The road to rainbow basin is not paved and just gravel. I think it's about 2 miles atleast on this road once turning off main road. Good for off road vehicles or cars you don't care about getting scratched or dirty. Once there though, it'a beautiful.

The colour and variations of rock formations throughout the loop are outstanding. Will visit again sometime in the future. Only one disappointment, some fools had smashed beer bottles around viewing area 4 creating a hazard for visitors especially young children and dogs.

If you have the time, park and walk some of the side canyons. Bring your camera! The Barstow Syncline is pictured in my college geology textbook so is famous.

My father and I took a trail tour to Rainbow Basin and had the opportunity to hike the area. The views were unique for someone from the East Coast - the rock formations and colors were amazing. We will certainly return!

This is a great drive to take the family on. Go north of Barstow and land in a moonscapelike atmosphere where you can let the kids get out to climb the colorful hills.

Dont miss a drive around Rainbow Basin - especially at sunset. Not the Painted Desert but pretty darn cool. Easy loop to drive through, with an easy stop off partway through for a little walk to a ridge (more hiking if you want - but be careful - its slippery gravelly rocks.) Road had a couple of tough spots - be careful - but totally doable in our rented compact. Gorgeous. About a half hour North of town.

Spending the night in Barstow, we took this small side trip before dinner and we sure were glad we did. Might be the best thing to see and do in Barstow.

Wow. Totally desolate beautiful area that looks like you are on the moons surface. Great place to visit off the beaten track. Watch out for the rattle snakes though. There are many great places for hem to hide.

This place is very cool! Love all the geology and seeing so many colored rocks and layers! Nice place to hike and explore!

My wife and I were married here. A lot people asked us, " why the desert ? " Why? The Mojave Desert has some of the best sunset views anywhere, thus setting the stage for a sunset wedding. We both enjoy the beauty of the desert as well. Rainbow Basin is a great place to enjoy the beauty of said desert. If you go, don't forget to check out nearby Owl Canyon campground and camp out for the night or if not staying all night, at least take a bundle of firewood and build a fire and enjoy a cookout. Or if you're not hungry, at least build the fire anyway and enjoy an evening under the desert stars. If you like nature, the desert, and just taking it easy, put Rainbow Basin on your to-do list the next time you're in the Barstow, CA area.

We didn't have a lot of time so we decided to drive around the loop road, that you supposedly didn't need a 4WD for, rather than walking. Don't do this in a sedan like we did. If you're going to drive I would only do this in a 4WD. The road is way too eroded with massive pot holes and crevices for a normal car - I don't know why they tell you that it's fine for any car. We were so scared that we were going to get stuck out there in the middle of nowhere (no phone reception either) or damage the car we'd hired that we could barely enjoy the scenery. It was a lovely place but they need to update their info regarding the drives. Otherwise, give yourself a bit of time and do one of the walks.

It's a 3 mile drive in on very rough road and then a 4 mile loop on a dirt road around the basin. Luckily, the road is one way so you don't have to worry about oncoming traffic. The scenery is gorgeous! I went when it was 108 degrees, so getting out of the car to take photos and hopping back in was all I could take.. If you mind the heat, go in the fall or the winter.

We drove through there several years ago. It is an easy dirt road. There are colorful rock and dirt formations. This is a good winter time site seeing drive because it is too hot in the summer.

A great side trip from the main road to see some cool rock formations. The off-road trail was easy to drive, and the colors and scenery were amazing. It's a nice, quiet place to explore and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

This was a great stop and easy to get to. From the Baymont Hotel, Barstow, take a left on Main St, another left on N 1st St and another left on Irwin Rd. It's about 8 miles. Drive 3 miles on a dirt, washboard road and then take a right into Rainbow Basin. It's very easy to get to and well marked. Once in the Basin, you will wander through a 5 mile dirt road through the formations. The road is good, any can can make it.
The formations were so beautiful. Different colors and shapes. I went at sunset and the lighting made it interesting. Definitely a good stop of an hour or two.

The dirt roads are not clearly marked! While we will never, ever, forget our adventure of being lost in the Mojave Desert for nearly 2 hours, it is not something I would do again! Make sure that you turn left as you come out of the loop trail (even thought the right turn on the dirt road looked more travelled).

There is a nice hike up a dry wash starting from the north end of Owl Campground, but the most scenic area is reached on the scenic drive. The scenic drive is a loop of less than 5 miles, so not being sure of the road condition, I walked the full loop and it is easy (avoid hot or windy days). I had some trouble finding rainbow basin...from I-15 northbound, exit at old hwy 58, turn N/E on Irwin Rd and then left on fossil bed Rd. I exited I-15 at Ft. Irwin Rd...after some confusion & extra driving, I turned from Ft. Irwin Rd onto Irwin Rd and arrived at fossil bed rd from the opposite direction!

The Rainbow Basin Natural Area is interesting and visually pleasing.
The geologic formations are beautiful and possess a variety of earth tone colors. The plant communtiy in the area is diverse and is composed of creosote bush scrub as well as Joshua tree woodland. In the spring, a diverse array of interesting annual flowers carpet the area. If your into natural areas, you won't be disappointed!

I've been going out to this area of the desert since I was a teenager. The BLM has greatly improved the road and nearby campgrounds. This is a short 2 or 3 hour excursion you can take your Muniz-van on. If you are in a hurry just go another time because the amazing amount of color and texture in the canyon will have you stopping and getting out of the car for a closer look. This area is rugged and open for you to explore. Nights are just awesome as the stars are so bright and the desert so peaceful. Bring some firewood and stay the night. Love it!

The two main things to do here are the 1) scenic loop and 2) the hiking loop. I did both. This place is like a miniature Death Valley, very similar to the area around Artist's Palette and Golden Canyon/Gower Gulch. The scenic drive is just 5 miles, and there is a section in the second half where the dirt road gets quite narrow/twisting rather suddenly. The hikes is called Rainbow Basin Loop - look up information on this 7-8 mile hike. The hike is through classic and colorful badlands, with 2 interesting slot canyons at both the eastern and western ends. Some scrambling and route finding is necessary though. And yes, this is worth the detour from L.A. or Las Vegas if you are in the area. I went in early fall and found the temperature to be perfect.

In dry weather the road is quite passable and maintained. No need for an SUV. It took us a long hour to get around.
It's beautiful.

I have been to the painted desert in Az. so this wasn't like that at all- the colors were not as vibrant. It was a neat drive, before we turned wrong and got stuck out there in the desert. Be careful about that- especially if you don't have a phone tracking your location. Well, I doubt that happens to many people.. could have just been me.. but, be prepared in case- lots of water and a back up plan.

We drove through the area and found it interesting but it doesn't live up to the word "rainbow" or the comparison to the Artist's Palate drive in Death Valley. If you have extra time in the area, make the effort. But, if you are passing through like we were, it might not be worth your time.

My friend found this and I am very glad we decided to do it. Make sure you have water and drive slow because some of the areas get a little tight.

Such an unique experience to see all the colors in the rocks and layers of earth. Very tranquil place filled with natural beauty. You need GOOD shocks or struts on your vehicle or you will be in for a bumpy ride.

I'm not sure what the complaint about trash was about. On my trip it was spotlessly clean and recently graded. I could have driven my low slung sports car thru this month. But it was JUST graded. I saw the usual CA garbage in the outskirts of Barstow, but otherwise it was nice. A short drive in the basin itself, but plenty of area to roam by yourself.

Far from what the southwest has to offer in terms of natural wonders.... this is a little scenic drive through very lonely wilderness.... and that's part of the attraction. If you have the time.... only 20 mins from I15.

If you are in Barstow and have an hour or two, the Rainbow Basin is worth the drive. Beautiful, colorful rock formations. The basin is notable for the fantastic and beautiful shapes of its rock formations and its fossil beds. The downside is a long dirt road, a one way loop that can be difficult in places, especially for two wheel drive vehicles. No cell phone coverage out here.

Being from Florida, the scenery was well worth the short drive. Loved the drive thru the river basin. Beautiful pics!

If you are intrigued by geology, bewildering colorful sites, or just like to take a ride to the middle of nowhere, Rainbow Basin Natural Area is the perfect destination for you. This 1,961-acre reserve located 8 miles north of Barstow is a great trip for everyone. This strange geological formation area is in the Calico Peaks range and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Ingress to the area is via a dirt road which will take you through the spectacular basin. As one travels this colorful area, one will observe strangely shaped rock formations decked out in amazing colors. Over the years, this Basin has provided a wealth of information to scientists pertaining to early man and long-ago extinct animals that once roamed the area. The Fossil beds and The Early Man Site are well worth visiting. All areas of the basin are open to the public via the dirt road the circulates around the area. Be advised, you need to ensure that your vehicle and tires are in good conditions. The road is narrow in several locations, and sharp turns are common. You must be always vigilant. There are numerous locations where you can pull off the “road and park” and explore the surrounding environment. If you do so, be prepared for extreme hot weather conditions which can reach upwards to 115 degrees. Bring sufficient water with you as there is no water source within the preserve. Proper footwear, clothing, sunglasses, and a hat are strongly recommended for this trip. Camping is not permitted within the Rainbow Basin. If you are interested in remaining overnight or camping, you my find Owl Canyon Campground to your liking. Camping fee is $8.00 a night. This campground has 22 primitive sites available on a first come basis. If you are a “glutton” for punishment, there are three hiking trails throughout the basin which will tax your endurance at this time of year. Wildlife abounds in the area. Expect to coyotes, snakes, lizards, and a wide variety of birds. Spent 4 hours driving around viewing this picturesque area with its colorful formations. Dazzling site well worth a visit.

Was a great off roading experience. Poor cell service

I took my wife and kids here for the first time since we moved here to Barstow. The road is well maintained and was able to gain access with our SUV. Some rocks on the road so no cars are recommended. Once inside it opens up into some really amazing rock formations made from all the colors in a rainbow. hence the name. Just a cool thing to see. It is a loops drive so the road is only 1 way. Take your time, grab a blanket and some food if its not very hot.

Visited based on other TA reviews and so glad we did! Every twist and turn brought incredible new sights. Road is bumpy and narrow in spaces, but our little rental car handled it just fine. Definitely recommend it if you have an hour or two to spare in Barstow.

The Rainbow Basin is one of the should sees in Barstow. Being in the desert there is not a lot to see until you come upon this area. There are a number of look out areas that you can get out of your car and take pictures. We didn't go hiking but I did see a number of others hiking. Also saw a number of campers and four wheelers. If you are looking to stay in your car and visit you will be able to get the beauty of the mountains right from your car also.

The only negative that I experienced was the long drive on the very bumpy dirt road (we were in a car) But that is to be expected, we were in the desert/mountains.

I would suggest taking at least a little time to go to see the beauty

Just got done making the one-way loop in a minivan. It's quite doable, though I wouldn't have dared during or after a rainshower.

You've got a few miles of unpaved (bumpy!) road to go before you can hang the right hand turn to take you to the campground and loop, You'll know you're at the halfway point of the loop and the main parking area when you see a maintained road branch off to the right, shortly after you pass the broken piano (also on the right). Room for about a dozen vehicles, rimmed by bigger boulders. When you're done, keep going down the road (there's a couple of scary-looking patches but be slow and safe and you'll be fine) and you'll end up back on the bumpy road where you came in.

Very nice and beautiful look road through the Canyon. Every curve had a great view in store. Any passanger vehicle can make it through. Nice pull offs. Amazing colors. Pretty quiet traffic wise when we were there.

A very nice hiking canyon with an easy start and an increasing difficulty and boulder climbing until you can't go anymore. A lot of fun!

Beautiful area and such a unique place. Rock hunting, fossil finding, camping, hiking, this place has it all. Beautiful weather and quiet campground.

My family didn't have much time as we were travelling from Las Vegas to San Jose and stumbled on this beautiful place. It's a shame there is a lot of broken glass around the viewing spots so take care not to puncture a tyre. We had just a small hire car and had no trouble getting through. Looks like the road was graded recently. The rock formations are so unique that we are so grateful to be able to see this part of the desert due to the road maintenance as some parts looked really sandy. It was a low 60 degrees when we went through so we didn't stop for long. Spoke to a local gentleman who said that they have found fossils, dinosaur footprints and sabre tooth tigers and camels fossils here also. School students come here to do research excursions. Would have been good to follow up on the museum tour to get more history about the site.
Could spend a lot of time here!

Beautiful place located in the Mojave desert, very suggestive, it seems to be into a lunar landscape.

My family has hiked there a lot. All kinds of nooks and carnies for exploring the hidden canyons. And the geological layering make beautiful scenery.

This is a really cool place to see that most folks will never take the time to visit. It's a must to take the time and walk through some of the formations

As we love going to National Parks, Monuments, etc. we almost passed on this one (no real information in town or on maps). Sure glad we didn't! Wonderful, fun drive on dirt roads (don't go if there's been rain that day or when it is forecasted). The scenery was outstanding. We are sure glad we decided to go (added in about 2 hours to our trip).

thank you TA for finding this. i never would have ever known about it. there is a driving loop, but i am thinking on a quiet day it might be more fun to walk it.

the own canyon trail is OK too but the highlight is an UNMARKED cave about a half mile in on the right. it gets completely dark for a moment or so, but then quickly lights up via another exit - pretty interesting!

next time I-15 is a parking lot between SoCal & LV, consider taking a break here.

This is a great place if you want to see some of the natural beauty of the California west. A short drive north of Barstow it is a circular drive with places to stop and hike. It's ideal for people who can't or don't want to hike because you can see the terrain well from a car. A gem of a place.

We did the scenic drive around sunset on 8/31/18. There is lots of color (mostly greens, light reds and browns) and a good pull off overlook about half way through.
The area is relatively easy to find (just note the turn to it is a left right after you cross the bridge over the railroad yard.
The last road to the drive is dirt, a bit washboardy but over all fine. The drive is gravel, a bit bumpy but in generally good shape. It is one way, in the counter clockwise direction. We had no problem on either road in a Subaru Forester and I'm sure it could be done in a regular passenger car.
If is was raining or had recently rained I'd guess the roads would be impassable.

We were on our way to New Orleans and pulling our trailer. This was our first over night stop. The road in to truly bumpy but we got there with no problem. Campsites have BBQ, fir pit and covered table. It was to cold and windy to sit outside.

We did take a short hike. Beautiful rocks and canyon. We did have a great sunset.

It was very windy at night sandy I had a difficult time sleeping.

Love the desert? then you have to try this hike. easy hiking with beautiful views. I have been here several times.

We stopped in Barstow for a coffee and decided to look at the Rainbow Basin. Guide books did not warn of the very rough terrain. Thankfully we had a hire car and not our own! Interesting scenery but a long way from town if not based there and not much evidence of rainbows. Did not see another person or vehicle. Very poorly signed so get good directions and drive carefully if not in a 4WD. Rock formations very interesting. No cost.

Very scenic and lovely drive. Four wheel driving car is recommended as the road is pretty tough. Lovely colors and different rock formations. Very similar to the Artistic Drive at Death Valley National Park. Worthy your visit.

It only takes about two hours or less to do this whole loop of the rainbow basin trail. It is worth stopping if you like geological formations etc. The colors are amazing. Great spot for sunset. So glad that we did it!

A great place to hike if you like seeing different rock formations and colors in the mountains. It was nice, but beware of hiking here in the summer months, this area is free from trees and other shaded areas.