Overview
Amboy is a near-ghost town in the Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County, California, sitting along the historic alignment of US Route 66 roughly midway between Needles and Barstow. Its permanent population is functionally zero to a handful of residents, and the town itself is privately owned — a fact that surprises many first-time visitors.
The town's most famous landmark is Roy's Motel & Café, whose mid-century neon sign is one of the most photographed icons on the American stretch of Route 66. The building has been intermittently operational for gas and snacks over the years; verify current status before relying on it for supplies.
Amboy Crater, a few miles west of town, is a well-preserved basaltic cinder cone volcano managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The crater and surrounding lava field are part of the Mojave Trails National Monument, designated in 2016. The landscape is stark, scientifically significant, and visually unlike almost anywhere else in the American Southwest.
For travelers, Amboy functions as a compelling detour or anchor point on a Route 66 road trip, a desert photography destination, or a short volcanic hiking stop — not a full-service tourist town.
Before You Go
Know Before You Arrive
Amboy offers virtually no reliable traveler infrastructure. There are no hotels in operation, no restaurants with regular hours, and no guaranteed fuel. Plan your visit as if you are entering a remote wilderness area.
- Water: Carry significantly more water than you think you need — at least one gallon per person per day in cool weather, more in summer. There is no potable water reliably available in town.
- Fuel: Top up your tank in Needles, Barstow, or Twentynine Palms before heading to Amboy. The distances are long and gas stations are sparse on Route 66.
- Cell service: Coverage is limited to nonexistent in this stretch of the Mojave. Download offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me, or similar) before you leave a major town.
- Summer heat: Temperatures frequently exceed 110°F (43°C) in summer. Hiking the crater in July or August is genuinely hazardous. Schedule any outdoor activity for early morning in warmer months, or avoid summer entirely.
- Visas: For entry requirements to the United States, check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official US Customs and Border Protection or Department of State websites for current guidance.
Getting There
Amboy sits on National Trails Highway (the old Route 66 alignment) in the eastern Mojave Desert. It is not served by public transportation of any kind.
By Car
The most practical approach is by private vehicle. From Barstow, head east on I-40 and exit toward Ludlow, then follow National Trails Highway east approximately 40 miles to Amboy. From Needles, head west on I-40 and take the Kelbaker Road or National Trails Highway routing westward — roughly 55 miles. The road surface on National Trails Highway varies; verify conditions before traveling, especially after rain or extreme heat events.
Nearest Airports
The closest commercial airports are Palm Springs International (PSP), roughly 100 miles southwest, and Ontario International (ONT) or Los Angeles International (LAX) farther west. Las Vegas (LAS) is also a reasonable starting point for visitors approaching from the east. A rental car is essential from any of these airports.
Getting Around
Once in Amboy, the area is navigated entirely on foot or by personal vehicle. Roy's and the town site are directly on National Trails Highway. Amboy Crater is accessed via a signed BLM road off National Trails Highway, approximately 3 miles west of the town center — the turnoff is marked; look for BLM signage.
The parking area at Amboy Crater has a modest unpaved lot. A standard passenger car can typically reach the trailhead in dry conditions, but high-clearance vehicles are more comfortable on the access road. Verify road conditions with the BLM's Needles Field Office if you have concerns.
Things to See & Do
Hike Amboy Crater
The main hiking trail to and around Amboy Crater is approximately 3 miles round-trip from the BLM trailhead, with a shorter option if you only go to the base. The trail crosses a surreal black lava field before ascending to the crater rim. The interior of the cone is accessible and offers sweeping views of the surrounding Mojave. Total elevation gain is modest — roughly 250 feet — but the exposed terrain and reflective lava amplify heat significantly. Start early.
Photograph Roy's Motel & Café
The vintage Roy's sign, the abandoned motel cabins, and the wide desert sky make this one of the most evocative photography spots on all of Route 66. Early morning and golden hour before sunset offer the best light. The site is privately owned; be respectful of any posted boundaries.
Drive Historic Route 66
Amboy is a natural waypoint on a classic Route 66 road trip. The stretch between Ludlow and Needles passes through some of the most authentic and least-commercialized segments of the old highway, with abandoned motels, rusted infrastructure, and open desert that feels close to the road's 1950s heyday.
Explore the Lava Field
The Amboy lava field extends well beyond the crater itself and is part of a young (geologically speaking) volcanic field. Walking carefully through the aa and pahoehoe lava formations — staying on established paths to protect the fragile desert crust — gives a genuine sense of the region's volcanic history.
Food & Drink
There is effectively no reliable food and drink service in Amboy itself. Roy's Motel & Café has at various times sold basic snacks, water, and fuel, but operating hours and services change frequently — do not depend on it. Check recent traveler reports (Google reviews, Road Trippers, or similar platforms) immediately before your visit.
Plan to bring all food and drink from Needles, Twentynine Palms, or Barstow. Pack more than you expect to need. In summer, prioritize hydration above all else. There are no restaurants, cafés, or grocery stores in Amboy.
Practical Information
BLM Information
Amboy Crater is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Needles Field Office. The BLM website (blm.gov) lists contact information and any advisories for the Mojave Trails National Monument. Admission to Amboy Crater has historically been free; verify any current fee or permit requirements on the official BLM site before visiting.
Restrooms
A vault toilet is available at the Amboy Crater trailhead parking area. No other public restroom facilities are reliably available in the area.
Emergency Services
San Bernardino County is the governing jurisdiction. Emergency services response times in this remote area can be very long. The nearest hospitals are in Needles and Twentynine Palms. In a genuine emergency, call 911, but be aware that cell service may be absent — a satellite communicator (such as a Garmin inReach or SPOT device) is worth considering for solo or off-season visits.
Leave No Trace
The desert crust (biological soil crust) is fragile and takes decades to recover from foot traffic. Stay on established trails at Amboy Crater. Pack out all trash. Do not disturb the lava or take rocks, which is prohibited within the National Monument.
Safety
The primary safety concern at Amboy and Amboy Crater is extreme heat. The Mojave Desert regularly records some of the highest temperatures in North America during summer months. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can develop faster than most visitors anticipate, particularly while hiking on reflective lava.
- Hike only in early morning during warm months (March–October). Dawn starts are advisable.
- Tell someone your itinerary before you go, especially if visiting alone.
- Carry a minimum of two liters of water per person for the crater hike, more in heat.
- The road itself presents hazards: long, straight desert roads encourage speeding, and vehicle breakdowns in remote desert heat can become life-threatening. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition, carry extra water for the radiator, and have a phone charger and backup power bank.
- Flash flooding, while rare, can close desert roads quickly after storms. Check weather forecasts for the broader region before setting out.
