Amboy Crater Hike

3.7 miles - Easy Effort
1:30-2 Hours (Total)
400 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 984 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

The Amboy Crater hike takes you across the Mojave Desert, onto an ancient lave field, and then up the 250 foot extinct Amboy cinder cone. It's a hike like no other, with wide-open views, tons of lava rocks, a circuit around the rim of the volcano, and all in a short 3-mile package right off of historic Route 66. I highly recommend making a stop to experience this fantastic hike.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions for the Amboy Crater Hike
Getting to Amboy Crater by Mojave National Preserve
Amboy Crater Eruption History
Recommendations and Tips for the Hike

Quick Links:
Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Sep 2024 Gear

Where is Amboy Crater?

Amboy Crater is just south of Mojave National Preserve on Route 66, and is just a reasonable detour off of Interstate 40. Use this trailhead address:
Amboy Crater Parking Lot and Trailhead, Amboy, CA 92304

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 3 — Look for this sign right off of Route 66 and turn in. You have to drive a few minutes to the end of the road to reach the parking area.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 4 — The parking area is massive, with space for RVs and trailers.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 5 — There is an overlook and several shaded picnic tables around the parking area.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 6 — And there's a bathroom here as well.

There is no water at the trailhead. Bring water with you to the hike.

When To Hike Amboy Crater

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 2 — You need to take the heat seriously here; people who didn't have died.

Even though this isn't a long hike, it can be deadly. People who were not prepared have died here, for real. In the warmer months it can routinely hit 110F. This hike is best done between October and April. Always check the nearby temperatures and expect the heat at Amboy Crater to be several degrees warmer than the forecast. Sunrise and sunset are great times to experience the hike.

Gear For the Hike

This is a short hike and you don't really need anything special to do it. Light hiking gear or fitness clothes work best. Bring at least 1L of water, sun protection, and good shoes to hike on top of the sharp lava rocks with. Watch your step for the normal desert creatures like rattlesnakes and lizards. If you're scared of heights, having trekking poles to steady yourself at the rim can be helpful. Most folks can walk around the rim without any additional gear though.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2Hit SOS or just tell loved ones that you're running late where your cell phone has no service. Review here.

Topo Pursuit 2The best hiking footwear I've ever owned. No blisters. Get them wet, they dry quickly. Lots of cushion and comfort.

Garmin Epix ProHiking maps, route info, and fitness stats on my wrist. Review here.

Osprey Hikelite 26Lightweight, carries all your gear, and your back doesn't get sweaty. Oh yea, it's also one of the most inexpensive packs you can get.

Check out the complete list here. ( Updated September 2024)

Amboy Crater Map

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 1 — The trails are well-maintained and well-marked. Where the trail isn't obviously visible, you'll see these trail markers.

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

3D Map

Amboy Crater Eruption History

There's some dispute about the timing of the eruptions at Amboy Crater, but the consensus has the first happening around 79,000 years ago, and the last happening 10,000 years ago. Today the volcano is extinct, although there is still tectonic activity here. In 1999 the powerful 7.1 magnitude Hector Mine earthquake's epicenter was just miles away.

Full disclosure: I was inspired to visit Amboy Crater after watching the 2021 Iceland volcano live cams. Here's the type of stuff that you can see when watching, and I hope that seeing this gets you as excited to visit the (much cooler) real thing too.

Hike Brief

Amboy Crater Historic Postcard — Amboy Crater used to be a big tourist destination when Route 66 was in its hay-day. This postcard from 1934 incorrectly lists the last activity happening 500 years ago. Photo Pomona Public Library

Before Interstate 40 opened nearby in 1973, most travelers crossing the country on Route 66 would pass by Amboy Crater. The town of Amboy a the major refueling stop between LA and Vegas.
The nearby Roy's Motel & Cafe in Amboy is worth a quick stop. Today it's mainly used as a movie location.
If you hear loud explosions and feel the ground shake when hiking, don't worry, it's not an eruption. Amboy Crater borders the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, and there is often training going on. It can be a bit unnerving to hear the explosions if you've been enjoying the silence in the Mojave.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 9 — And then you'll see the big trail board. The trail continues past the board.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 10 — There's a little uphill in the beginning.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 11 — The trail is easy to follow as it's mainly lined with rocks.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 12 — You'll be surrounded by basalt as you hike through the lava field.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 13 — When you get to the top of the small rise, you'll see Amboy Crater in front of you.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 14 — There's a small rest bench with limited shade. Watch your footing around shaded areas around the shelter, which provide a cool refuge for snakes and lizards.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 15 — Keep hiking toward Amboy Crater.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 16 — The trail turns to the right and starts to head uphill. There's one last shelter before you climb up the cinder cone.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 17 — Hike up the small switchbacks into the gap in the cinder cone.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 18 — When you get to the gap, take the trail up to the left to hike up to the rim. The center of the crater is right in front of you.

Once you're at the gap, you can go into the middle of the crater. It's not super-exciting, and I think the rim is better, but if you want to do it, do it here and then come back and continue at the last step. The trail into the middle from here is much safer than scrambling down the side of the cone on the other trails.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 19 — You've got a small climb up to the rim.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 20 — And soon you're at the rim!

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 21 — Enjoy the spectacular views from the rim in all directions. In the distance is Granite Peak at 6,761 feet. It's one of the four mountain ranges in the Mojave and is very remote.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 22 — From the rim you'll also get great views into the middle of the crater. The crater is about 0.25 miles across.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 23 — Take the trail around the rim of the crater and complete the circle, staying up on the rim and avoiding the side trails into the crater.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 24 — When you get around the whole rim, you'll come back to the gap in the cinder cone where you arrived. We're going to hike down there and head back the way we came.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 25 — At the end of the rim you'll see a series of switchbacks heading back down.

Amboy Crater Hike Directions 26 — After you descend the switchbacks, you'll arrive at the junction where you entered the cinder cone. Make the left and head back on the trail you hiked in on. That's the hike!

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide? Join my Patreon and ask me a question.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.
Do you have an update to this guide? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to update the guide.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.