Home > California > Plaster City

Plaster City

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Trail Map

Other Names

Plaster City Open Area, Plaster City East, Plaster City West, Colorado Desert

Last Known Status

Open

Named for the huge gypsum factory that divides the two main staging areas, this is a designated open area where you can park, camp and ride anywhere. There are no fees and no services and the climate is hot, dry and often windy.

The terrain is largely flat and uninteresting, and nearby Superstition Mountain and Ocotillo Wells offer a bit more variety. Beware the adjacent military bombing ranges, limited use and wilderness areas. Bring your own water and shade.

Riding Area Map... Nearby ATV Riding Areas...

REGULATIONS

Permit Required	Yes	CA OHMVR stickers required
Dates Open	Daily Year-Round	CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted from 10/1 to 5/31
Other ATV Stickers Accepted	Yes	Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY)
Spark Arrestor	Yes	A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise Limit	Yes (96 dB)	CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB)
Whip Flags	Not Required	Whip Flags Recommended For Safety
Maximum Vehicle Width	No Restriction
Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes	Permitted	CA OHMVR stickers required
ATVs	Permitted	CA OHMVR stickers required
UTV & SXS	Permitted	CA OHMVR stickers required
SUVs & Jeeps (registered)	Permitted
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered)	Some Areas	CA OHMVR stickers required
2 Stroke Engines	Certain Times	CA OHMVR restrictions apply
MX Helmet Required	Yes	helmets required by state law
Camping	No Restriction	(camp anywhere)
Campfires	No Restriction
Night Riding	Yes
Trail Blazing	Permitted
Alcohol	No Restriction
Rule Enforcement	Few/Periodic
Comment	open area

TERRAIN

Approx Size	28,000 acres (44 sq mi)
Climate Type	Desert
Elevation	0 to 300 ft.
Trail Maintenance	Not Marked, Not Rated, Not Maintained
Loose Dirt	None
Hard Pack	Some
Sand	All
Mud	None
Dust	Some
Rocks	Little
Trees	None
Steep Hills	None
Water Crossings	None
Small Jumps	Few
Large Jumps	None
Berms	Few
Sand/Gravel Pits	None
Single Track	None
Roads	Few
Intersections	All
Rider Traffic	Few
Shade	None
Ranges/Gunfire	Some
Hazards	Few	(hazards not marked) Beware of nearby bombing ranges, railroad tracks.
Novice	All
Amateur	None
Expert	None
Comment	mostly flat, open area, desert floor

TYPE OF AREA

Area	open area, desert floor, mostly flat

Land

BLM

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline	5-20 Miles (E)	7-11 (760) 352-4383
Diesel	5-20 Miles (E)	Chevron (760) 352-2600
Water	5-20 Miles (E)	Rio Bend RV Resort Golf Ranch (760) 352-7061
RV Hookup	5-20 Miles (E)	Rio Bend RV Resort Golf Ranch (760) 352-7061
RV Disposal	5-20 Miles (E)	Rio Bend RV Resort Golf Ranch (760) 352-7061
Campground	30+ Miles (W)	Cottonwood Campground (760) 337-4400
Conv Store	5-20 Miles (E)	Walmart Supercenter (760) 337-1600

FEES & PASSES

Parking	(None)
Entry	(None)
Riding	(None)
Camping	(None)
Comment	open area, no services

RATINGS

Pros	open area, park/camp/ride anywhere
Cons	no services, terrain is largely flat and uninteresting, no shade, sometimes get extremely windy
Our Rating	Fair
Recommended Stay	Half Day winter/fall
Comments	(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest City

El Centro, CA

Trail Map

From: San Diego, CA
1 Take I-8 east toward Ocotillo, about 85 miles
2) Take first exit after coming down from the mountains (Imperial Highway/CR-S2 exit)
3) Turn left (north) off the exit ramp and cross under the highway
4) Turn right on Old Highway 80
5) Continue 7 miles for Plaster City West Staging Area or 10 miles for the Plaster City East Staging Area (both staging areas are on the left side of higway).