Once a promising stop along the railroad line, Amboy is now a ghost town in the desert, home to just four residents who run its signature gas station, a relic of the past marked by its iconic vintage sign.
But don’t let first impressions fool you: despite feeling nearly abandoned, there’s something special that keeps the spirit of this place alive. A massive crater, once an active volcano, now offers an out-of-the-ordinary hiking experience for those craving a landscape far from the usual.
Amboy Crater is a dormant cinder cone volcano rising almost one thousand feet above the eastern Mojave Desert. Estimated to be around 79,000 years old, the crater formed during the Pleistocene era, with a solidified lava lake inside and lava flows blanketing the surrounding desert. Its last eruption happened about 10,000 years ago, making it a stunning snapshot of Earth’s volcanic past.
Its impressive size and unique shape earned it a memorable spot in Hollywood history, like many places near the city, it once served as a filming location. Back in 1959, it played a key role in the classic sci-fi movie Journey to the Center of the Earth (remade in 2023), starring Pat Boone, James Mason, Arlene Dahl, and Diane Baker.
In the film, the crater’s silhouette first appears as a misty Icelandic volcano, marking the start of the underground journey. Later, it reappears as Italy’s “Stromboli,” erupting in a dramatic ocean scene where the main characters are rescued. To bring the explosion to life, filmmakers even set fires inside the crater to simulate volcanic activity.
The Amboy Crater hike is a unique 3-mile loop that takes you across rugged lava rock and up 250 feet to the volcano’s rim, offering sweeping desert views you won’t find anywhere else. With a huge mostly-empty parking area, shaded picnic spots, and restrooms, this quiet spot is perfect for an unforgettable day adventure.