RiderPlanet USA Motorcycle And ATV Trails
HomeFind ATV TrailsATV and Dirt Bike ArticlesCalendar of ATV and Motorcycle EventsSupport CenterDonate

Lark Canyon OHV Area

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Other Names

Mccain Valley, In-ko-pah Mountains, Manzanita, Cottonwood, Sacatone Spring

Last Known StatusOpen

The occasional host of trials events, this trail system is specifically designed for motorcycles. The trails are narrow but have widened a bit over time, but rules prohibit ATVs over 40 inches wide.

The self-pay campgrounds are private and comfortable with great views, fire rings, stone tables, clean restrooms, and non-potable water. There are 15 developed campsites in the first campground, with more campsites further up the canyon where OHVs are not permitted.

Note that larger RVs and long travel trailers will have difficulty with the latter part of the main access road and that campground turnarounds are fairly compact. Collecting firewood is permitted, but bring your own because you won't find any.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit RequiredYesCA OHMVR stickers required
Dates OpenYear-RoundCA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted from 10/1 to 4/30
Other ATV Stickers AcceptedYesResidents 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 ArrestorYesA spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise LimitYes (96 dB)CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB)
silent hours 9pm-8am in camp area
Whip FlagsNot Required
Maximum Vehicle WidthYes (40 inches)has entrance gate or posts
Allow Dirt Bikes, Trail Bikes and Motorcycles Motorcycles & Dirt BikesPermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
Allow All Terrain Vehicles / Quads / Four Wheelers ATVsProhibitedCA OHMVR stickers required
40 inch width limit, trails designed for motorcycles
Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles, Side by Sides (SXS), RZR UTV & SXSProhibitedCA OHMVR stickers required
Allow 4x4 Jeeps, SUVs and 4 x 4 Trucks with License Plates SUVs & Jeeps (registered)Prohibited40 inch width limit, trails designed for motorcycles
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail
4x4 (unregistered)
ProhibitedCA OHMVR stickers required
2 Stroke EnginesCertain TimesCA OHMVR restrictions apply
MX Helmet RequiredYeshelmets required by state law
Camping / Overnight RV Parking CampingSome Areas(camp in developed sites only)
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresSome Areas(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night RidingYespermitted, but silent hours are 9pm-8am in camp area
Trail BlazingProhibitedvehicles must stay on trail
AlcoholNo Restriction
Rule EnforcementFew/Periodic
Advertisement

TERRAIN

Approx Size19,200 acres (30 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail40
Climate TypeDesert
Elevation3700 to 4500 ft.
Trail MaintenanceNot Marked, Not Rated, Not Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has some loose dirt.Some
Hard PackThe trail has some hard pack terrain.Some
SandThis trail has mostly sandy areas.Mostly
MudThe trail has no mud after it rains.None
DustThe trail has little dust on typical days.Little
RocksThis trail has little rocks.Littletrails are very smooth, loose, granular
TreesThe trail has few trees.FewSome trees in camping area
Steep HillsThis trail has few steep hills.Few
Water CrossingsThe trail has few water crossings.Few
Small JumpsThis trail has few small jumps.Few
Large JumpsThis trail has no large jumps.None
BermsThe trail has some berms.Some
Sand/Gravel PitsThis BLM land has no sand or gravel pits.None
Single TrackThis BLM land has some single track trails.Somemost trails are 4-5 feet wide
RoadsThis BLM land has few roads.Few
IntersectionsThis trail has few intersections.Few
Rider TrafficThe BLM land has few rider traffic on typical days.Few
ShadeThis BLM land has few shaded areas.Few
Ranges/GunfireThis BLM land has few shooting ranges or gunfire.Few
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards are marked)
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has some beginner terrain.Some
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has mostly intermediate level terrain.Mostly
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has little expert terrain.Little

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandBLM

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline1-5 Miles (S)Mountain Top Market and Gas (619) 766-4530
Diesel Diesel1-5 Miles (S)Mountain Top Market and Gas (619) 766-4530
Potable Water WaterOn Sitenon-potable water
RV Hookups RV Hookup5-20 Miles (SW)Live Oak Springs Resort (619) 766-4288
RV Dump Station RV Disposal5-20 Miles (SW)Live Oak Springs Resort (619) 766-4288
Primitive Camping CampgroundOn SiteLark Canyon and Cottonwood Campground
Convenience Store Conv Store1-5 Miles (S)Mountain Top Market and Gas (619) 766-4530

FEES & PASSES

Parking(None)
Entry(None)
Riding(None)
CampingYes
Tent: $6.00
RV: $6.00
Addtl. Vehicle: $0.00
Lark Canyon Campground Fee

RATINGS

Prosnice trails, fairly narrow, little traffic, trails are smooth without many rocks, campsites are well maintained, private, and comfortable
Conscamping area with trail access is tight with narrow roads
Our RatingRatingVery Good
fun and pleasant, but not very challenging
Recommended Stay1-2 Days
late spring for best scenery, winter for most privacy
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityLive Oak Springs, CA
AddressMcCain Valley Road, Boulevard, CA 91905
Go Back To California List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: San Diego, CA
1) I-8 East to Boulevard exit
2) Turn right off exit ramp (south)
3) Turn left at first stop sign on Old Hwy 80 (2 miles)
4) Turn left on McCain Valley Road (north)
5) Follow straight ahead to staging area. Continue further for camping.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoBLM - El Centro Field Office
1661 S. Fourth Street
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 337-4400
blm_ca_web_ec@blm.gov
www.blm.gov

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

A trail at Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

A trail at Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

Terrain example at Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

Example of terrain at Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

The turns are pretty good in some spots.

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

Example of terrain at Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

Scenic view at Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

RV Trailer Staging Area and Camping at Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

One of the campsites with trail access.

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

RV Trailer Staging Area and Camping at Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

The turnaround at this camp area is pretty sharp and narrow and the sites are small.

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

A little dry, but overall very nice.

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

Some terrain at Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

Advertisement

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

A trail at Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

RV Trailer Staging Area and Camping at Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

A top down view of the camping area, taken from the trail above.

Lark Canyon Trail Photo

Yamaha YZ Off-Road Bike at Lark Canyon OHV Area Trail

© 2024 Misirena Digital, LLC Home  |   ATV Trails  |   Articles  |   Calendar  |   Support Center  |   Good Stuff