Oddity Odysseys
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THE AMBOY CRATER

Location: Amboy, CA
​Accessibility: Moderate Hike
​
​Created: 79,000 years ago
In the seemingly sleepy town of Amboy, California lies a once vigorous volcano.  Formed of ash and cinders piled 250 feet high, it stands erect as a reminder of the past.  Welcome to the Amboy Crater.  During the Pleistocene geological period, 79,000 years ago, a lake of lava roiled around the inside of a crater to create a cinder cone. The volcano spewed basaltic lava which poured out over a vast area of 24 square miles.  Since its last eruption almost 10,000 ago, the volcano now stands as a lonely landmark.  The Amboy Crater is now a popular hiking spot surrounded by stretches of the endless Mojave desert.
Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973, The Amboy Crater has put the town of Amboy on the map - along with the now abandoned Roy’s Motel and Cafe.  Known as one of the few extinct volcanoes along Route 66, the once deadly erupting force has become a spot for people to experience climbing a real volcano.  Though a now tamed force of nature, the area is discouraged from being explored during the warmer months of the year.  Unfortunately, the porous lava and rocks in the area reach staggering temperatures in the unshaded area, and those without proper protection and water can become sick or even risk fatalities.

The striking and visually appealing landmark has been used as filming locations in Journey to the Center of the Earth and the TV series, Abandoned.  The Amboy crater is the perfect example of geology creating geometry.  The ominous crater is a reminder of a violent past as visitors traverse its steep grades and enter the very heart of a volcano.  Check out our newest episode in which we go into the heart of the Amboy Crater. 


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  • New Episodes
  • Adventure Archive
    • 2023 Episodes >
      • Zzyzx
      • The Encinitas Boat Houses
    • 2022 Episodes >
      • The Salton Sea Naval Base
      • Desert Christ Park
      • Rubel Castle
      • The Radford Art Walk
      • George Air Force Base
      • The Cal-Earth Institute
      • The Venice Canals
      • Mount Rubidoux
      • Queen Califia's Magical Circle
      • Scary Dairy
      • Fort MacArthur
      • Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
    • 2020 Episodes >
      • The Lummis Castle
      • The Sky Slide
      • The Galleta Meadows Sculptures
      • Burro Schmidt Tunnel
      • The Global Angel Wings Project
      • The Topanga Time Tunnel
      • Solstice Canyon
      • The Kea Mill
      • Tankland
      • Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village
      • Cabot's Pueblo
    • 2019 Episodes >
      • The Shoemaker Tunnels
      • The Canned Heat Suicide House
      • Angels Flight
      • Echo Mountain
      • Amir's Garden
      • The Amboy Crater
      • Hazel's Volcanic Gardens
      • East Jesus
      • Rock-a-Hoola Waterpark
      • The Mojave Lava Tube
      • The Mosaic Tile House
      • The Krampus Run
    • 2018 Episodes >
      • Devil's Gate Dam
      • Salvation Mountain
      • The Cat House
      • The Sutro Bath Ruins
      • Bring Your Own Big Wheel
      • The Wave Organ
      • The Bay Bridge Troll
      • The Peephole Cinema
      • Nike Missile Site LA-88L
      • The High Tower Elevator
    • 2017 Episodes >
      • The Bridge to Nowhere
      • The Musical Road
      • The Old Los Angeles Zoo
      • The St. Francis Dam
      • Phantasma Gloria
      • The Sunken City
      • Nike Missile Site LA-96C
      • The Prohibition Tunnels
      • Vasquez Rocks
      • Big Horn Mine
      • The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse
    • 2016 Episodes >
      • The Laguna Beach Pirate Tower
      • The Great Wall of Los Angeles
      • Murphy's Ranch
      • The Chemosphere
      • The Los Feliz Murder Mansion
      • The Music Box Steps
      • Bronson Cave
      • The Shakespeare Bridge
      • The S.S. Dominator Shipwreck
      • The Last Bookstore
      • Picnic Table #29
  • Map
  • Contact Us