Near Amboy in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Amboy Crater

National Natural Landmark

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 2, 2010

1. Amboy Crater Marker

Inscription. Amboy Crater, formed of ash and cinders, is 250 feet high and 1500 feet in diameter. The crater is in one of the youngest volcanic fields in the United States. Six distinct periods of eruptions created the resulting nested group of volcanic cinder cones encompassing 24 square miles. Volcanic activity started an estimated 6000 years ago with the last period of eruptions occuring as recently as 500 years ago. Amboy Crater's recent origin and its near-perfect shape led to its designation as a National Natural Landmark in 1975. Climb to the rim of the crater to see an outstanding view of the associated lava field and surrounding desert area.

Please, take only pictures
Leave only foot prints on trails.

Erected 1998 by Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069, E Clampus Vitus in cooperation with Bureau of Land Management Needles Field Office. (Marker Number 92.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus, and the National Natural Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1500.

Location. 34° 33.402′ N, 115° 46.805′ W. Marker is near Amboy, California, in San Bernardino County. It is on Crater Road

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half a mile west of National Trails Highway, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16700 Crater Road, Amboy CA 92304, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Mojave Desert,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Amboy Crater (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Albert Okura (approx. 1.9 miles away); Amboy and Roy's Café (approx. 2.1 miles away); Trails and Rails Through the Mojave Desert (approx. 2.1 miles away); Route 66, Amboy, California (approx. 2.1 miles away); Saint Raymond's Church (approx. 2.1 miles away); Hallowed Ground (approx. 5.8 miles away).

Regarding Amboy Crater. The crater received its name from the nearby railroad station. The names of the stations from here to Arizona state line were originally in alphabetical order. They were named after places "back east." Amboy had a post office established in 1904 after being denied one in 1903. From 1916 to 1960 it is estimated four million tons of salt were mined and shipped from near here. In 1972 the town was by-passed with the new freeway about 11 miles north of here. It is about 1/2 mile to the crater. SOURCE: Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 35th Anniversary Plaque Book by Phillip Holdaway

Also see . . .

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 2, 2010

2. Amboy Crater Marker

A Visit to Amboy Crater. A YouTube driving/hiking tour of the Amboy Crater. You'll see the lava flow and you can actually hike to the bottom of the crater. (Submitted on July 21, 2018.)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, December 16, 2012

3. Amboy Crater Marker

Amboy Crater image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 2, 2010

4. Amboy Crater

Amboy Crater Entrance Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Flexible Fotography, October 17, 2023

5. Amboy Crater Entrance Sign

Original Entrance Sign - 2010 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 2, 2010

6. Original Entrance Sign - 2010

Original Entrance Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 20, 2024

7. Original Entrance Sign

Now located at the museum in Goffs.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,650 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1. submitted on December 19, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 2. submitted on December 25, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 3. submitted on December 26, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on December 25, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 5. submitted on January 12, 2024, by Flexible Fotography of San Diego, California. 6. submitted on December 25, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 7. submitted on December 22, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.