Desert Discovery Center in Barstow Heights

Closed - This place has a lot of potential but still appears to be closed (although there is no signage indicating it is closed until you look inside the building through the fence, the signs from the road show “open”). The grounds are not maintained & covered in trash and broken glass. The trail & picnic area would be nice otherwise. Disappointing because there’s so little to do in Barstow.

CLOSED! Phoned them today.

Evidently this place is not opening regularly if at all. We were very disappointed as we had driven out of our way to visit, and based on the posted hours it should have been open. We later learned it hasn’t been opening regularly for a year or more.

I like the trail next to building perfect for dogs

Is this place ever open ?? About the 5th time of trying. Drove all the way from Pacifica to here to find it closed again at midday, when its meant to be open, disappointed to say the least.

I only gave it one star because twice I went to Barstow and both times was closed but on the website says its open....Looks like a cool place and really want to visit ...If someone sees this let me know whats happening....Didnt give it a one star for any other reason but its closed..

Ny fsmily loved it. Its not only a historical museum it has kive animals in gardens.

The main attraction in my opinion is California’s second largest meteorite. It’s known as the old woman meteorite. It was found in the old woman mountains Back in 1975. It’s 38 inches long 24 inches high and 30 inches wide and it it originally weighed 6070 pounds. At some .177 pounds of the media was cut off to be studied. The discovery center also has a lot of desert exhibits including A live tortoise pen.

Gave this place three stars only because they are closed due to COVID, otherwise it is a great place to visit.

We took our first grade students on a field trip. They had a good time

A very nice resource center with an empathise on learning, natural history and local education. Very well designed, enjoyable and interesting. The staff were very helpful and friendly. I observed a "Junior Ranger" Ceremony while there and was impressed with the values imparted to the children. Obviously staffed by people who care and contribute. Great place to visit with the whole family.

Lots of cool stuff to buy. Interesting things on display. Friendly staff. Pond with turtles out back.

Was not allowed in even though it was during opening hours and we had driven quite far to see it.

So much fun bringing the kiddos here. Saturdays from 11am-1pm they have a craft day. Great family outing.

I am a volunteer for them its great experience for the whole family. They have arts and crafts on Saturdays from 11 am to 1PM only a dollar for kids.

Exactly what a deprived public youth needs in this town. Been in Barstow my entire childhood, raised in the tortilla flats(woot woot). I know first hand how little barstow has to offer for our youngsters and i wish there was more places like this, and a little more availabilty. Keep our kids educated, occupied, and out of the streets!!

Great place for kids to know history

Great stop to learn about the desert and visit the Old Woman Meteorite

A great place too learn and see nature

The guide was informative and nice employees.

This place is open till 4:00. I showed up at 3:51 to pick up some up to date maps of the Mojave Desert and the doors were locked! Unbelievable!Thankfully, the two people inside, both packed to leave, let me in, albeit hesitantly. Thank you Desert Discovery Center for keeping me and my family from dying in the Mojave Desert! Im glad I wasnt any later because the two employees (or one employee and her boyfriend 🤷‍♂️followed me out the door a full 5 minutes before they were scheduled to close. I would give zero stars if I could, very unprofessional.

I was in Barstow for a weekend for work and since there isn’t much to do I stopped by all the museums in town this is a Pretty cool little museum they have the second biggest meteorite found in the United States. They also have some turtles in a pond in the back and some tortoises as well highly recommend if your passing through great for kids.

Jane was informative and the baby tortoises were so tiny and cute!

Gate was closed, no information on their website about hours or anything so I assumed based on the hours listed here it would be open.

Great place very knowledgable and free admission

This is a small nature and learning center, but it is free of charge and the meteorite and other attractions there make it worth a visit. The staff is extremely friendly, and this is a good place to buy drinks and snacks as they have good prices and the purchases help support the center. The outdoor pond and trail around the building are nice for observing wildlife. The location is a bit hard to spot in a passing vehicle since it is up on a hill, but it is very close to major roads and makes it possible to have a quick 15-20 min stop here when traveling through the area. I would consider this a top 5 to visit on the route between LA and Las Vegas.

I went on a school trip here. Good history lessons on desert life and the people from here. Very interesting.

Lots of interesting displays with vivid descriptions to properly educate tourists about each exhibit

Cool little place. Stopped on my way to vegas. Free admission. Nice setup outside. I was told they have animals but they are out during the summer months.

Small, but loved the old woman meteorite and the aquarium of tui chub. Both were definitely worth seeing! Nice surprise for just seeing as I was driving by.

This place has had the same exhibits and inco up since ibwas in elementary school. It deffinatly need to be updated.

Learn about the amazing things you can discover in the Mojave Desert. There are big annual events and monthly classes too.

Great place to visit if you on ROUTE 66 PLACING THREW.

Very nice place to gather local information, maps, and education resources, good for family trips, field trips, group outings, home schoolers, and all around desert education. Good for a picnic, and short look around, possibly spend and got or two of you like to read every little thing.

Had never been there interesting place ..free to look around

1st time pass by visitor on our way to Vegas with the family. We all enjoyed seeing amd touching the Meteorite, seeing tortoises, and learning about rocks. My kids are fasinated by rock types. Next time we will alott more time to fully enjoy.

Such a cute place, and they offer daily activities. Dont forget to go outside to see the pond and desert turtles. I think there is a "fairy garden" there, too

Theres live tortoises and desert plants. Theres even a pond. On Saturday mornings they have an Arts & Crafts program for a minimal fee that anyone can participate in. Occasionally theyll have a big event with live music and raffles.

The people at this museum seem to be consistently kind, knowledgeable.Also the String Jam jam monthly Spring-end of Fall, & man, are those guys talented!

Theres not terribly much to see here in this small desert center. We came from out of town so in my opinion it wasnt quite worth the drive. However, they did have tortoises inside and an outside enclosure along with The Old Woman Meteorite. Kids would probably enjoy this place as there are many activities created to teach them about desert life. There is extremely good information about the history of the region. Also there is a small gift store inside.

Lots of of info on what to do around nearby desert and parks. Interesting artwork, and much for little kids. The human sun dial is really cool. Im still trying to figure out how they drew the lines.

This is a great place for kids! The staff is so friendly!

Tortises are super friendly and adorable. Always a good stop.

This is a wonderful place for children and adults alike to learn more about our desert and desert animals. They acomodate walk i, visits, group visits, and field trips. Everyone there is always friendly and excited to answer questions. There are also special events hosted here periodically throughout the year.

This is the place of the meteorite called the old meteorite woman landed I believe over 100 yrs ago. They sell rocks, indian trivia etc

Very informative and a great place for kids

Great place to take kids. They have a turtle pond and a small trail outside to explore.

A lot of information about the local areas.Biggest attraction is the old womens meteorite plus some really neat things to see.

A nice place to pause during your journey. See the Old Woman meteorite, its worth the stop.

If you love the desert youll to visit this place lots of desert plants