Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area — Attraction in California City

Plan a couple of hours here, the dirt roads in are long and it will take some time to find a turtle if you are lucky enough to do so. We spent about 2 hours total off-road. Provided you follow the right roads(or at least don't stop in the loose sand), it's all passable by car.

Several miles in there's an interpretive center (in a trailer) staffed until 5pm daily, nice folks. She gave us tips on where to find a tortoise and a flip reference chart to identify other local plants, animals and hiding places too.

We walked the trails and saw plenty of nature; a snake chasing a lizard, a turtle burrow of good size that appeared empty and loads of fluorescent colored caterpillars. No turtle. We looked and looked.

After thanking the staff member and getting in our car, Google maps suggested we return by Washburn Road, a trail that looked... less passable than the first nicely groomed wide dirt roads. We followed it because, why not right, and after some fun times slipping and sliding in uncomfortably loose sand (for a car) we came upon a "rock in the road". Finally! We found a turtle on our way out.

So, don't count on seeing a turtle. But don't give up looking! And always watch out for "rocks". The trail less followed on our way out got us a glance at a turtle, and certainly these guys are a sight to see in their natural environment.

Note on other location a turtle was spotted: Right outside Kelso Depot in Mojave National Park. Big guy going after a flower cactus on a...

I had a lovely talk with Caroline, one of the naturalists. I did not see any tortoises but did find a gopher snake, a whiptail lizard and caught a glimpse of a another that was too fast to ID. The trails are easy to navigate. You just have to understand that the tortoises are wild animals and may or may not be outside their burrows. If it's too hot, they'll undoubtedly be in their burrows and unlikely to show themselves. Your best chance is either as soon as they open in the morning or just before they close, once it starts to cool down. There is plenty to see and appreciate even if you aren't lucky enough to...

This is one of my most special places in the California desert! I make the trip from the San Francisco bay area most years (dependent upon amount of rain the desert received). Pro tip: look at the California desert wildflower index before making the trip... if it's been a 4 or higher, come on down. I've found a desert tortoise on the preserve every year except one and even a baby on the road on the way in. (Look for what looks like slow moving rocks on the road on your way in.) The views are great and if you coincide your trip with the wildflower bloom, you can't lose! Happy...