Beautiful area hike as you go their arent any signs telling you where to go.

Rainbow Basin is a geological formation in the Calico Peaks range, located approximately 8 miles north of Barstow in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. No restroom. Bring your water and camera!!!

A trip to Rainbow Basin will make you feel like youre on a different planet. Its a unique drive on a one-way unpaved road through some of the most striking geological formations Ive ever seen. As other Yelpers have said, the photos dont do justice to the subtle variations in color that youll see. Visiting in spring, lots of wildflowers and the Joshua trees were in bloom as well.Tips:Make sure your car is in good condition and take water. I made the drive in just a regular car with no 4-wheel drive and I was fine but check road conditions first.Its free!Dont forget to charge your phone and take your real camera.

Similar to the Artists Palette scenic drive in Death Valley but not as vibrant but also not as crowded. A great pit stop location about 20 minutes off the highway. There is about 3 miles of washboard sort road to reach the main scenic drive. The road was a little narrow at times but my large truck was able to make it through.

Beautiful place to visit. You can drive around this loop in under 2 hours. I you choose, you can make multiple stops and just take in the beauty or hike the various trails. The road gets rough in places but most cars can make it.

Went trail running today starting at the owl canyon camping area. The natural area is free for day use and $6 per night for camping. The canyons were amazing there and tons of trails that are not mapped. This place was amazing to take pictures and hike around. Excited to camp here in the spring.

This place is absolutely incredible. Theres a road so you can drive through the canyon. A Must See. You will not be disappointed.

Beautiful scenic drive on a sometimes difficult dirt road, but our van survived. Definitely worth the drive and the stop at the viewpoint.

Definitely worth a drive through, especially since it’s not far off the interstate. We swung by on our way from Lone Pine to Joshua Tree to break up the drive. It is similar to the Artist’s Palette in Death Valley. Don’t take RVs in here. You’ll get stuck!

Beautiful March weather, very pleasant.

The natural beauty of this landscape is amazing. I love to sit in the quietness. Definitely worth the trip if youre visiting Barstow, or just passing through.

Awesome scenery! the ONE WAY trail was fun! (I stress one way as you cant turn around, yes some yahoo was going the wrong way & luckily it was wide enough, at that particular spot) we read a review that a someone in a regular sedan had no issues going through, and maybe is the case after maintenance. We went through 5/26/19, and our stock 2018 silverado 1500 4x4 hit bottom where some water had cut across the trail and created a decent sized dip. Our truck probably has less clearance than a subaru forester... maybe... my point though: dont take a regular sedan and expect to not get in to trouble. Not for the need of 4wd, but a rock or washed out dips can pin you in. stay safe!

Just a magical place. The drive alone down the narrow roads was a blast! So much to see and explore. Fun place to hike. Bring water!

Its a great place too hike and see wildlife

Very unique place, no trout stream nearby.

This place rocks and has a beautiful scenery. The trail can be hiked on foot or driven in a automobile.

IM HERE

My daughter and I went at night while it was raining quite heavily. A little bit of Thunder and it was awesome. The dirt was falling a little bit from the rain and we saw a few boulders fall down but it was no Indiana Jones ride at Disney land either. The only bad thing is that we didnt know where we were going so we drove for a while down different dirt roads. Good thing we didnt have alot of gas and only a 2nd pathfinder.

Fantastic geological formations and amazing view of the Rainbow Basin Syncline! You will need an SUV or a four wheel drive to get through the scenic drive that crosses the area and displays rock formations. DO NOT MISTAKE THE ACTUAL GEOLOGICAL SITE (NORTH OF BARSTOW) WITH THE OFFICE OF THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 15). Previous Google Maps could be misleading. The site would benefit from more maintenance to the access road and panels to explain the peculiar shape and colors of the rocks.

Everyone loved it! So beautiful out there

Good fun!

Awesome place. Must experience it

Beautiful and peaceful

Interesting place

Hidden gem of the high desert

Very interesting topography and scenery