Ghost Town
Kern County, CA
Approximate location — plotted from published sources, not a site visit, and not a guarantee of access.
Living Mojave Desert gold camp on Rand Mountain, founded after the 1895 strike and peaking near 3,500 residents by 1899. Rand Mining District is California Historical Landmark #938; weathered main-street storefronts, the 1904 general-store soda fountain, and surrounding claim country remain publicly visitable off US-395 between Ridgecrest and Kramer Junction.
| Region | Kern County, CA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates (approx.) | 35.3686, -117.6581 |
| ARPA | Artifacts & structures are protected by federal law (ARPA) — take only photos, leave every relic in place. |
| Era | 1895 gold rush |
| Landmark | CHL #938 (Rand Mining District) |
| Access | Paved (US-395 / Butte Ave) |
| Character | Living ghost town (~45 full-time residents) |
Public recreation data — BLM & Recreation.gov (RIDB). Verify current access, fees, and seasonal closures before traveling.
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Plan ahead. Leave no trace. Verify current access before traveling.