Built in 1924 Kelso Depot was more than just a train depot, as it also included employee sleeping quarters as well as a full-service restaurant. The Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad constructed the facility in order to compete with the popular Harvey Houses operated by the Santa Fe Railroad. Kelso Depot was upscale for the time, and it even had a billiard room and a library. The depot ceased functioning in 1962, although the restaurant remained open until 1985. Today it houses the visitor center for the Mojave National Preserve.
Kelso Depot is pretty easy to find — just take Kelebaker Road from Baker, and continue on through the desert for 34 miles until you reach the historic site. Accessible parking is located in front of the depot, with level access over to the visitor center and the nearby accessible restrooms. Inside there’s barrier-free access throughout the facility, which includes interpretive exhibits about the Mojave National Preserve. Additionally the baggage room, ticket office and two dormitory rooms are furnished as they would have been in the 1920s. Even if the visitor center is closed, you can still get a gander at the lunch counter, vintage desks and old equipment through the large front windows. It’s definitely worth a stop while exploring the Mojave National Preserve.
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Located off Highway 374 just west of Beatty in the ghost town of Rhyolite, Tom Kelly’s Bottle House is worth a stop on the way to Death Valley. Constructed in 1906 during the gold rush, Kelly built his masterpiece from 51,000 beer bottles, adobe and mud. And since there were some 50 bars in town, there was never a shortage of building materials. As for Kelly’s motivation and reasoning for his chosen medium, he was often known to say that it was easier to build a home from beer bottles than it was to mill lumber from the native Joshua trees. Kelly’s creation is easy to find too — just follow the signs to it from Rhyolite Road. And the good news is, there’s an accessible parking pad and a level sidewalk over to the house. The bottle house sits behind a fence to protect it from vandals, but it’s sometimes opened for private tours. Still you can get an excellent gander at the house from the sidewalk near the entrance.
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Located along a barren stretch of Interstate 80 in Northwestern Nevada, Thunder Mountain offers motorists a much needed — and somewhat entertaining — break between Reno and Winnemucca. It’s easy to find too — just take exit 145, turn east, and then make a left turn on the frontage road. Soon the asphalt is replaced by dirt, and then gravel, before the first remnants of Frank Van Zant’s paradise lost comes into view on the left.
As the story goes, an old Creek medicine woman told Frank that in the final days there shall rise up a place called Thunder Mountain, and only those that lived there would survive the apocalypse. So he set out to build this mythical place of refuge after his car broke down along the interstate. Shortly thereafter he changed his name to Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder as he set to work to craft his mansion patterned after Tom Kelly’s Bottle House in Rhyolite (emerginghorizons.com/tom-kellys-bottle-house/). It all began with his travel trailer, which he parked in the sagebrush and covered in concrete. That was in 1968. Sadly Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder committed suicide in 1989, and although the elements — and sadly some vandals — have taken their toll on this creation over the years, it’s still worth a visit.
As far as access goes, it’s doable for many folks. There’s no striped parking, but there’s plenty of room to park an adapted van in the large dirt parking area next to the entrance. From there; it’s a level roll to the front gate which is 35 inches wide. Inside the compound, the pathways around the sculptures, homes and exhibits are flat, and although there’s a bit or gravel here and there, it’s easy to dodge.
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Located on the way to Rhyolite — and Tom Kelley’s Bottle House (www.emerginghorizons.com/tom-kellys-bottle-house) — this unique open-air sculpture installation is definitely worth a stop. From Beatty, head west on Highway 374 for about four miles, then turn right on Rhyolite Road. Take the first left on the road – look for a miner with a penguin – and you’ve found the museum. It’s really pretty hard to miss. There’s parking in a level dirt area, and usually there’s plenty of room for an adapted van. A small information center that’s ramped in the back is located nearby. The information center is open periodically, but even if it’s closed you can still pick up a brochure about the artwork.
The sculptures are dotted throughout the desert, with mostly level paths covered in gravel leading out and around them. That said, you can get a good look at the bulk of them from the information center, so it’s worth a stop even if you can’t negotiate the paths. The sculptures range from a ghostly interpretation of the Last Supper, to the more traditional Tribute to Shorty Harris, a legendary Rhyolite prospector. And there are even a few pieces that visitors can sit or lean on, and snap a selfie or two.
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This lone sculpture sits on the side of the road just off Interstate 80 in Fernley. At one time the Bottle Cap Gazebo stood nearby, but it was permanently removed in 2024. To be fair, that piece was originally designed as a temporary structure for Burning Man in 2014; so it’s impressive that it braved the elements for as long as it did. Still the tortoise is worth a quick stop. To find it, take exit 48 off of interstate 80 and follow the signs to Fernley. Keep right on Main Street, and look for the tortoise on the right, across the street from the 76 gas station.
Although the parking lot is composed of gravel, there’s also an accessible parking spot on a cement pad, with a level sidewalk over the Desert Tortoise. This permanent installation was created by artist Pan Pantoja, with assistance from Fernley Elementary School’s fourth-graders.
This 25-foot long and 17-foot tall sculpture was crafted from boulders from a local quarry and decorated with hand painted ceramic tiles that reflect the culture of Fernley and the surrounding area. Although the vision and execution came from Pantoja, the fourth-graders supplied the artist with the creative tiles. There’s level access around the sculpture which weighs in at an impressive 70 tons, and there’s also a smaller slab covered with leftover tiles located next to the tortoise.
It’s a good place to stretch your legs, and a fun photo op, while tooling along Interstate 80 through the desert.
Located in the middle of nowhere, it takes a bit of effort to get to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Very Large Array (VLA). Spread over more than 100 square-miles of New Mexico desert, the massive antennae that make up the VLA are located about an hour-drive west of Socorro. Take exit 150 from Interstate 25, then head west on Highway 60 for about 45 miles. After you pass Magdalena, go south on Highway 52 for about 3 miles. The VLA is on the right – you can’t miss it.
There’s accessible parking in front of the visitor center, with barrier-free access to the building. Inside there’s a small gift shop and a few exhibits about the VLA. There’s also level access to the theater, with plenty of room for a wheelchair next to the seats. Take some time to watch the excellent movie – narrated by Jodie Foster – that explains how the array works and what exactly it’s able to do.
The VLA is comprised of 27 dish shaped antennae arranged in a Y configuration across the desert. Visitors can also get an up-close-and-personal look at the antennae, as well as a few other outside exhibits, from a short level trail that winds around the complex.
The first stop on the walking tour is the Bracewell Radio Sundial, which is located near the back entrance to the visitor center. Named after Roy Bracewell, who created one of the world’s first radio telescopes, this sundial consists of a sphere mounted on a pole, and seven others mounted on cement pedestals. From the sundial, continue along the path past the Whisper Dish Gallery, and head over to the Radio Dish Gallery, which is located in the gazebo near the antennae. After that, make a left and head out to the base of the closest antenna, where there’s another interpretive plaque that describes its workings. From there you can circle past the control building and return to the visitor Center.
The VLA makes a fun New Mexico road trip stop even if you aren’t an astronomy buff, as the silhouette of the array against the vast desert backdrop is worth the short detour alone. And amateur astronomers will absolutely love the site.
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Located in the middle of the California desert midway between Barstow and Las Vegas, the World’s Tallest Thermometer makes a nice stop on the way to Sin City. The brainchild of local businessman Willis Herron, the 134-foot tall thermometer was constructed in 1990 as a tribute to the record high temperature in the US — 134 degrees in nearby Death Valley. Unfortunately Herron didn’t account for the high winds in the area in his original plans, and as a result a strong gust brought the monument down, smashing a nearby gift shop that was under construction.
Undaunted, Herron rebuilt the thermometer and filled the second model with concrete to keep it steady. And although the thermometer was shut down for a while after Herron’s death, today it’s up and running again. It’s easy to find too — just take the Baker exit on Interstate 15 and follow the main drag until you see it on the south side of the street. To be honest, you can see it towering over the hamlet long before you even exit the freeway.
The best vantage point is from the fast food restaurant parking lot next door, because once you pull up too close to the thermometer, it’s hard to get a good photo. There’s lots of accessible parking is available in that lot, and it’s a nice level roll over to the far end, where you’ll get a good view of it all. After you’ve gotten your photos, you can just roll on over to the thermometer, go inside and check out the gift shop and photos of the construction of the thermometer.
Although this Southern California artistic creation is located about 35 miles off Interstate 8, it’s definitely worth the detour. Just take exit 118 B, east of El Centro, and follow Highway 111 north. When you hit Niland, make a right on Main Street, which soon turns into Beal Road. Once out in the desert, you’ll pass the city dump and the makeshift community of Slab City, before you spot Salvation Mountain on the right.
This colorful masterpiece was crafted by Leonard Knight, who sadly passed away in 2014. His vision was to create a piece that reflected God’s love; and the 100-foot wide concrete mountain colorfully announces that belief to all who visit. And although age has taken it toll on this desert masterpiece, it’s still worth a visit. There’s no striped parking at the site, but there’s plenty of room to parallel park an adapted vehicle in the dirt parking lot. Although there are steps up to the top of the mountain, you can get an excellent view of the entire piece from below.
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Known as the symbol of the American West, the giant saguaro cactus can only be found in the Sonoran Desert in the Southwestern US and Mexico. These large columnar cacti are covered in spines and develop branches (arms) as they age. There’s nothing like seeing a forest of saguaros framed by a colorful desert sunset. And the best place to do that is at Saguaro National Park (nps.gov/sagu), near Tucson, Arizona. Divided in two sections — with the city of Tucson in between — this scenic desert area offers several accessible trails for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
Saguaro East
Ecology Trail in Saguaro East
Located in the Rincon Mountain District, Saguaro East is about 10 miles off Interstate 10. Just take exit 27 and follow the signs to the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center in Saguaro National Park. Accessible parking is located near the visitor center, which offers level access and houses a collection of interpretive exhibits. There’s also plenty of room for a wheelchair in the theater, which shows an introductory film throughout the day. And outside there’s level access around the small native garden, and over to a covered shelter with benches.
The eight-mile Cactus Forest Drive scenic loop begins just east of the visitor center. This one-way drive travels through the heart of a saguaro forest, and boasts fabulous windshield views of the gigantic cacti. There are a number of pullouts along the way, all of which have accessible parking. And if you visit in May, you’ll be treated to an eyeful of showy white booms on the giant cacti.
The first accessible trail is located midway along the drive. There’s accessible parking at the Mica View Picnic Area, with level access over to accessible tables and an accessible vault toilet. Although the entire length of the Mica View trail is not not accessible, the first .7 mile is fairly level and is covered in stabilized granite. The Desert Ecology Trail, which is located just up the road, is also worth a stop. This quarter-mile trail features a paved pathway with benches to sit and rest along the way.
When you reach the end of the scenic loop drive, turn left at the stop sign and head through the Javalina Picnic Area. After you leave the picnic area, look to the right as the road curves, for a view of a tall saguaro with a magnificent crown.
Javalina Picnic area in Saguaro National Park East
Saguaro West
Desert Discovery Trail in Saguaro National Park West
Saguaro West is located in the Tucson Mountain District, which is on the west side of the city, just up the road from the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. From interstate 10, head west on Gates Pass Road, then make a right on Kinney Road. The Red Hills Visitor Center will be on the right, just past the park entrance.
There’s accessible parking in front with level access to the building. Inside there are a number of interpretive exhibits as well as accessible restrooms. Outside there’s a short accessible paved trail that focuses on the ecology of the Sonoran Desert.
The highlight of this section of the park is the Desert Discovery Trail, which is located just a mile past the visitor center, on the left side of the road. This half-mile paved trail features interpretive plaques along the way that describe the plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. There are benches to rest along the trail, and it’s a favorite spot to catch a spectacular sunset view amidst the cactus forest.
This section of the park also boasts a scenic drive. The 5-mile Bajada Loop Drive winds through the saguaro forest, with plenty of pullouts along the way. Although the road is not paved, it’s still doable in a low clearance vehicle. And if you’d like to pack along a snack, there are two picnic areas along the loop.
Last but not least, don’t forget to ask about the free ranger programs at either visitor center. Offered in the peak winter season, many of the programs are held at accessible areas or trails in or near the visitor centers. These interpretive programs, which focus on the Sonoran Desert and the Saguaro Cactus, greatly enhance any visit to Saguaro National Park.
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Named for the prolific yucca plant that’s found within its borders, Joshua Tree National Park features two distinct desert ecosystems within its 800,000-acre expanse. From cholla and ocotillo cactus, to unusual rock formations sculpted by the harsh desert winds and torrential rains, this Southern California national park is filled to the brim with unique plants and animals. And although the landscape may appear a bit foreboding, rest assured there are a number of wheelchair-accessible trails and attractions in this desert wonderland. Add in a nice collection of scenic drives that offer some some jaw-dropping windshield views, and you have an excellent choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
Insider Tips
The Oasis of Mara, which is located near the North Entrance, offers an accessible half-mile loop trail. Honey mesquite trees dot the desert landscape, which is bordered by mountains in the distance, while a ring of California Fan Palms mark the presence of water — the oasis. Be sure to take a close look in the underbrush near the palms for some Gambel’s Quail, as it’s one of their favorite haunts.
Located on Pinto Basin Road, just a few miles south of the Park Boulevard intersection, the Cholla Cactus Garden boasts a quarter-mile trail through a mature cholla forest. There are a few ruts here and there, but for the most part, they are pretty easy to dodge. There’s also a one-inch lip up to the boardwalk sections of the trail, but most folks can manage it with a little assistance. Even if you can’t do the whole trail, you’ll be surrounded by chollas just by walking 10 feet into the forest.
The Bajada Nature Trail, which is located in the south area of the park, is the oldest accessible trail in the park. This quarter-mile trail passes through the bajada — a broad slope of alluvia material at the base of a mountain — and offers a wonderful view of the surrounding desert. There are interpretive plaques along the way, and although there are a few sandy patches here and there, all-in-all this 1998 “all access trail” has held up fairly well.
90942 Kelso Cima Road
