The range spans San Bernardino and Inyo counties in California.

The Calico Mountains are geologically colorful range that lie in a northwest-southeast direction, and are located just north of Barstow and Yermo, and of Interstate 15.

Historic Pickhandle Pass and Jackhammer Gap lie at the northern end of the mountains on Fort Irwin Road, with the Fort Irwin Military Reservation nearby.

Calico Peak, the highest point, is 4,491-foot (1,369 m) in elevation, in the San Bernardino County portion of the range (N 34.995259 and W -116.838369).

Stone from the Calico Mountains was used in the interior of the 1968 Volcano House at nearby Newberry Springs.