Overview
Daggett is a small unincorporated community in San Bernardino County, California, situated in the Mojave Desert along the old alignment of US Route 66. It sits roughly midway between Barstow and Newberry Springs, at an elevation of around 1,900 feet above sea level.
The community has a long and layered history. In the late 19th century it served as a supply hub during the silver mining boom in the nearby Calico Mountains. It later gained significance as a railroad stop on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and subsequently as a waypoint on the Mother Road — Route 66.
Today Daggett is notable in energy circles as the site of one of the earliest large-scale solar thermal power experiments in the United States, the Solar One and Solar Two demonstration projects, which operated in the desert east of town in the 1980s and 1990s. The surrounding Mojave is now dotted with utility-scale solar and wind installations.
For most travelers, Daggett is a drive-through moment: a brief detour off Interstate 40 to walk a stretch of historic Route 66 pavement or to refuel before pushing on to Barstow, Joshua Tree, or Las Vegas. Its appeal is understated — weathered buildings, desert silence, and a genuine sense of the American West's working-class history.
Before You Go
Visa and Entry
Daggett is in the continental United States. Entry requirements depend on your nationality. For guidance, visit TravelerPulse's Visas section and check with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the U.S. Department of State's official website.
What to Expect
Daggett has very limited commercial services. Do not count on finding a grocery store, pharmacy, or medical facility within the community itself. Stock up on water, snacks, fuel, and any medications before leaving Barstow or another larger town.
Desert Safety Basics
- Summer temperatures regularly exceed 110 °F (43 °C). If traveling June through September, plan visits for early morning and carry significantly more water than you think you need.
- Cell coverage can be patchy in and around the community. Download offline maps before arriving.
- Let someone know your travel plans if you intend to explore unpaved desert roads in the area.
Getting There
By Car
Daggett is the most practical way to arrive. Exit Interstate 40 at the Daggett exit (roughly 8 miles east of Barstow). The community is also accessible via National Trails Highway, which follows the historic Route 66 corridor and can be joined from Barstow to the west or Newberry Springs to the east.
By Rail
Amtrak's Southwest Chief line passes through the Barstow station, about 8 miles to the west. From Barstow you would need a car or rideshare to reach Daggett, as there is no local public transit connecting the two. Verify current Amtrak schedules and fares at amtrak.com.
Nearest Airports
Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville and San Bernardino International Airport are the closest smaller airports. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Ontario International Airport (ONT) are larger options with more commercial service; both are roughly two hours by car depending on traffic. Verify current routes and schedules with airlines directly.
Getting Around
Daggett is small enough to walk across in a matter of minutes, so once you are there, your feet are sufficient for seeing the community itself. A car is essential for reaching any surrounding desert landscapes, solar facility viewpoints, or nearby towns.
There is no local bus service or rideshare infrastructure within the community. If your vehicle breaks down, the closest towing and repair services are in Barstow — verify contact information locally or through roadside assistance programs before you travel.
Things to See & Do
Walk the Route 66 Alignment
National Trails Highway through Daggett follows one of the better-preserved stretches of the original Route 66 corridor in the Barstow area. Pull over and walk a section of the old road to get a sense of the scale and isolation travelers experienced during the mid-20th century.
Stone Hotel (Daggett Desert Studies Center)
The historic Stone Hotel building — one of the oldest surviving structures in the Mojave Desert — is located in Daggett and is associated with California State University, Fullerton's Daggett Desert Studies Center. It is not generally open for casual tourist visits, but the exterior is visible from the road and is worth a photograph as a piece of genuine frontier-era California architecture. Verify access conditions locally before planning a visit.
Solar Facility Viewpoints
The site of the former Solar One and Solar Two projects east of Daggett has been succeeded by newer commercial solar infrastructure. While the facilities themselves are on private land and not open to visitors, the scale of utility-scale solar in this corridor is striking from public roads and is a talking point for anyone interested in renewable energy history.
Calico Ghost Town
Though technically outside Daggett, the San Bernardino County regional park at Calico Ghost Town is a very short drive away and provides deeper historical context for the silver-mining era that shaped this entire stretch of the Mojave. Verify opening hours and admission fees directly with San Bernardino County Regional Parks.
Food & Drink
Daggett has extremely limited dining options and these can change with little notice given the community's size. Do not arrive expecting to find a restaurant open at any given time without confirming in advance.
Barstow, approximately 8 miles west, has a full range of fast-food chains, casual sit-down restaurants, and gas station convenience stores. If you are planning a Route 66 drive-through of the area, it is practical to eat in Barstow before or after your Daggett stop.
Carry your own water and food supplies as a baseline precaution. In desert conditions, running out of water is a genuine safety risk, not merely an inconvenience.
Practical Information
Emergency Services
For any emergency in the United States, dial 911. The nearest hospital facilities are in Barstow. Verify the address and hours of Barstow Community Hospital or similar facilities before your trip, particularly if traveling with people who have medical needs.
Fuel
Fuel availability in Daggett is not guaranteed. Fill your tank in Barstow or another established stop before heading into the desert.
Connectivity
Expect limited or intermittent mobile coverage. Download offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me, or similar) and save any addresses or contact numbers you might need before arriving.
Weather
The Mojave Desert experiences extreme heat in summer and can have surprisingly cold nights in winter. Check the National Weather Service forecast (weather.gov) for the Barstow/Daggett area before traveling.
Safety
Daggett is a quiet, low-crime community. The primary safety considerations are environmental rather than social.
- Heat: The single greatest risk for visitors. Carry at least one gallon of water per person per day in summer months, and more if hiking or working outdoors.
- Remote roads: Some desert tracks near the community are unpaved and unmaintained. A high-clearance vehicle is advisable for any off-pavement exploration, and solo off-road travel is not recommended.
- Wildlife: Rattlesnakes, scorpions, and other desert wildlife are present in the Mojave. Watch where you step, especially around rocks and brush.
- Flash flooding: Rare but possible during summer monsoon storms. Do not enter dry washes during heavy rain or if storms are visible on the horizon.
