Newberry Springs, California

Location, geography, and climate

Newberry Springs is located 20 mi (32 km) east of Barstow, approximately 40 mi (64 km) due west of the Mojave National Preserve, and approximately 100 mi (160 km) south of Death Valley National Park. The town is (117 sq mi (300 km²) in area. It is approximately 3,000 ft (910 m) above sea level.

The region maintains an average daytime summer temperature of 107 °F (42 °C). In the winter, lows generally get into the 20's, with a dry, cold climate, the immediate area receiving less than 10 in (250 mm) of rain per year.

Newberry Springs is a typical desert oasis. Ancient volcanic rock formations, lava beds, sand dunes, mineral springs, and hidden mud baths are found in the area.

The area is irrigated by the Mojave Aquifer, the largest aquifer in the Western United States, which makes possible a diverse and abundant agriculture and a number of man-made lakes.

Transportation

Interstates 15 and 40 run through the area. BNSF Railway's transcontinental main line and historic Route 66 both run through the town.

History

The original name of Newberry Springs was "Water". Since its earliest days the area in and around Newberry Springs has been a source of water for the surrounding arid region. Camp Cady, located at the western terminus of the Mojave Road just 12 miles north of present-day Newberry Springs, was a resting place and watering hole along the Mojave River for wagon trains coming to California in the 1850s on the old Mormon Trail. In the 1880s the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad hauled tank cars of water from Newberry Springs to the stations and towns in the region, making life in this arid land possible.

The area has been used as a venue for location filming including Bagdad Café.

Agriculture

The climate in Newberry Springs is relatively mild and ideal for many crops, including pistachios, apricots and alfalfa. Newberry Springs has many farms and ranches, which produce ostrich, horse, buffalo, duck, turkey, catfish, and koi.

Recreation

Water skiing is important to the area. Newberry Springs contains some man-made oval lakes and other water race courses used for water–ski and jetski racing, including the privately owned Cheyenne Lake. The Horton Lakes Water Ski School and Wet Set Village, which has hosted water ski tournaments seen on ESPN, are in Newberry Springs

There are also desert courses used for motocross, dune buggy, and ATV racing. The area also supports camping, hunting, fishing, wilderness backpacking, and paraflying. Paraflyte Ranch, a paraflying school, is in the area.

Attractions

Near Newberry Springs is the Calico Ghost Town, the Calico Early Man Site, the Camp Cady wildlife reserve and the Solar One green energy project. Every November, the town is the host of the annual Newberry Springs Pistachio Festival.

North of Newberry Springs is the currently vacant site of the former Lake Dolores/Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark.

Newberry Springs is home to the St. Anthony Orthodox Coptic Monastery.

The Newberry Mountains are home to the nearby Newberry Mountains Wilderness Area.

Film

In 1987, the motion picture Bagdad Café was filmed in the area and the truck stop featured in the film still exists as a working motel and restaurant.

In 2015, Newberry Springs was one of the filming locations for the film Sky as well as Barstow, Bombay Beach, Hinkley, Joshua Tree, Landers, Lenwood, Ludlow, and Victorville, California.