Kelso Depot Visitor Center — Attraction in Baker

This center is located Kelbaker Road and Kelso Cima Road, inside the Mojave National Preserve. The visitor center is still closed and has been for several years. You can still walk around the center from the outside and look in a window or two and get a sense of what it must have been like back when the center was an actual train depot. On the northeast side of the building is a Park Ranger Substation, which is usually occupied by one of the rangers that patrol the park. Outside and to the east of the depot center, there is a large parking lot and several well-maintained restrooms. In between the depot and the parking lot you will find an old version of a jail used from 1940 to 1985. There are several placard signs around the area of the depot, which will better explain the history of this site. There are many options to choose from when planning your route of travel from either the I15 to the north or I40 from the south. Like all the sites within the area of the depot, it is best to visit when the weather is cooler and totally avoided during the summer months. Last bit of advice, make sure to travel with plenty of water and some basis survival items, since help might be not...

Kelso Depot Visitor Center is a nice stop in the middle of the Mojave National Preserve. Originally built in 1905, it served as a train hub for railroad workers and passengers, as well as transport for ore from the Vulcan Mines.

Just in front of the Visitor Center, is an old jailhouse (2 cells) where they used to jail the drink and disorderly for the night. Directly behind the “jailhouse” is an old Post Office.

ProTip #1 - As of Dec 2018, the Visitors Center is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday ProTip #2 - Along the wall of the bathrooms is a map of the Mojave, be sure to snap a photo of you are unable to get your hands on a map - it details highlighted destinations in the Mojave as well as distances ProTip #3 - Be sure to use the toilets here, as other points of interest in the Mojave...

I love this place. It's a true Oasis in the middle of the desert and not to be missed if you're driving around or camping. It's also a natural stop if you're planning a hike on the nearby Kelso Dunes.

The depot was restored in 2002, after laying abandoned for many years. Today it serves as main Visitor Center of the Mojave National Preserve. It features a mini-museum with exhibits of life in the desert and the history of the Depot in its heyday.

Sadly, the "beanery" (a local cafe which has been fully restored to its 1924 looks) is now closed. I have fond memories of spending time in this place in my last two desert trips. It was a great place to eat a bite or two between hikes, buy supplies (ice!) or just chat about life in general with the attendant/owner. I hope they re-open the...