Maturango Museum 🇺🇸

Nestled in Ridgecrest, California, the Maturango Museum serves as an ideal gateway to exploring the natural and cultural history of the Northern Mojave Desert. Founded in 1962 and named after the highest peak in the nearby Argus Range, this small museum highlights the rich diversity of a region surrounded by four distinct mountain ranges: the Sierra Nevadas, Cosos, Argus Range, and El Paso Mountains. Though its famous guided tours of the Coso Rock Art District are currently unavailable to the public due to base restrictions, you will still find plenty to discover inside.

Walk through exhibits showcasing local animals, plants, rocks, and minerals, as well as fascinating Native American artifacts. You can also appreciate local creative talent through contemporary arts and crafts displays. Operating as a professional curation facility, the museum preserves prehistoric and historic artifacts from the Upper Mojave Desert region and stores an extensive collection of historic documents.

Whether you are traveling from nearby urban centers like Bakersfield, San Bernardino, or the Lancaster/Palmdale area, visit this dedicated museum to gain a deeper appreciation for the unique desert environment and heritage of the Ridgecrest community.

What to see at Maturango Museum

• Exhibits on Northern Mojave Desert animals, plants, rocks, and minerals
• Native American historic artifacts and contemporary arts and crafts
• Extensive collection of local historic documents and regional archives
• Curation facility preserving prehistoric artifacts from the Upper Mojave Desert
• Exhibits detailing the history of Ridgecrest and nearby China Lake

Visiting tips

Plan your trip around visiting the indoor natural history and regional art exhibits, as public access to the Coso Rock Art District petroglyphs is currently restricted by base command.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Maturango Museum is easy to reach on Ridgecrest’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Naval Museum of Armament & Technology. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Ridgecrest travel guide.