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

Johnson Valley OHV

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Other Names

Camp Rock Rd, Anderson Dry Lake, Lucerne Valley, Hatvelle Hills, Melville Dry Lake, Camp Rock Road, Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area, Hartwell Hills, Mojave Desert

Last Known StatusOpen

This part of the Mojave Desert offers a good mix of mostly easy to moderate terrain, rugged mountain scenery, hundreds of miles of open space and several dry lake beds that are open to all OHVs. For expert level, low gear rock crawling trails and hill climbs stage across from Means Dry Lake.

During the month of February for nine consecutive days Johnson Valley becomes home to the "King of the Hammers", a 165-mile race that attracts up to 60,000 spectators. This is also the largest offroad race in the country and is broadcasted live. More than 400 teams participate and the event is open to ATVs, dirt bikes, Side by Sides and trucks.

Besides the handful of Joshua trees and occasional scrub brush, vegetation is sparse, so expect hot, dry and sometimes windy conditions.

Camping is free but there are no services. Cross-county travel is permitted, but steer clear of the desert tortoise, a threatened and highly protected species.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit RequiredYesCA OHMVR stickers required
Dates OpenYear-RoundCA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted from 9/1 to 5/31
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)
Whip FlagsNot Required
Maximum Vehicle WidthNo Restriction
Allow Dirt Bikes, Trail Bikes and Motorcycles Motorcycles & Dirt BikesPermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
Allow All Terrain Vehicles / Quads / Four Wheelers ATVsPermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles, Side by Sides (SXS), RZR UTV & SXSPermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
Allow 4x4 Jeeps, SUVs and 4 x 4 Trucks with License Plates SUVs & Jeeps (registered)Permitted
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail
4x4 (unregistered)
PermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
2 Stroke EnginesCertain TimesCA OHMVR restrictions apply
MX Helmet RequiredYeshelmets required by state law
Camping / Overnight RV Parking CampingNo Restriction(camp anywhere)
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresSome Areasrecommended use of established pits only
Night RidingUnknown
Trail BlazingPermitted
AlcoholNo RestrictionCA open container laws apply
Rule Enforcement
CommentEastern boundary is Twenty Nine Palms Marine Air Guard Combat Center - No Trespassing.
Advertisement

TERRAIN

Approx Size96,000 acres (150 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail1000
Climate TypeDesert
Elevation2300 to 4600 ft.
Trail MaintenanceNot Marked, Not Rated, Not Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has little loose dirt.Little
Hard PackThe trail has some hard pack terrain.Some
SandThis trail has some sandy areas.Some
MudThe trail has little mud after it rains.Little
DustThe trail has mostly dust on typical days.Mostly
RocksThis trail has mostly rocks.Mostly
TreesThe trail has no trees.None
Steep HillsThis trail has some steep hills.Some
Water CrossingsThe trail has no water crossings.None
Small JumpsThis trail has few small jumps.Few
Large JumpsThis trail has no large jumps.None
BermsThe trail has few berms.Few
Sand/Gravel PitsThis BLM land has no sand or gravel pits.None
Single TrackThis BLM land has some single track trails.Some
RoadsThis BLM land has few roads.Few
IntersectionsThis trail has some intersections.Some
Rider TrafficThe BLM land has few rider traffic on typical days.Few
ShadeThis BLM land has no shaded areas.None
Ranges/GunfireThis BLM land has some shooting ranges or gunfire.Some
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards not marked)
beware mine shafts & unexplored ordinances
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has mostly beginner terrain.Mostly
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has some intermediate level terrain.Some
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has little expert terrain.Little

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails, mountains, rolling hill and dry lake bed
LandBLM

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline5-20 Miles (SW)76 (760) 248-7998
Diesel Diesel5-20 Miles (SW)76 (760) 248-7998
Potable Water Water5-20 Miles (SW)Mojave Narrows Campground (760) 245-2226
RV Hookups RV Hookup5-20 Miles (SW)Mojave Narrows Campground (760) 245-2226
RV Dump Station RV Disposal5-20 Miles (SW)Mojave Narrows Campground (760) 245-2226
Primitive Camping CampgroundOn Site
Convenience Store Conv Store5-20 Miles (SW)76 (760) 248-7998

FEES & PASSES

Parking(None)
Entry(None)
Riding(None)
Camping(None)

RATINGS

Proswide open spaces, large, few regulations
Consno services, easy & moderate terrain, dry and windy & hot
Our RatingRatingGood
Recommended Stay1-2 Days
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityLucerne Valley, CA
AddressCamp Rock Road, Lucerne Valley, CA 92356
Go Back To California List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: Victorville, CA
1) Take I-15 to Exit 153A
2) Turn (east) off the exit ramp onto CA-18, continue 23 miles
3) Continue straight (east) onto SR-247/Old Woman Springs Road, continue 5.6 miles
4) Turn left (north) onto Camp Rock Road, continue 4 miles
5) Veer right to stay on Camp Rock Road, continue about 3 miles toward staging areas.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoBLM - Barstow Field Office
2601 Barstow Road
Barstow, CA 92311
(760) 252-6000
blm_ca_listening@blm.gov
www.blm.gov

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Johnson Valley OHV Trail

What you see is what you get - just miles and miles of open space. Large trailers and RVs will have no problem finding a place to camp.

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Scenic photo of barren desert at Johnson Valley.

The scenery is pretty barren but what the area lacks in vegetation it makes up in 96,000 acres of free public land to enjoy. Just remember to bring shade and water.

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Woman wearing Fox Racing riding gear on Suzuki RM-100 dirt bike.

A good example of the overall scenery and trails you will find here. Nothing fancy but its free and open.

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Man on Suzuki RM250 riding down short hill.

One of the many play areas.

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Photo of sun going down at Johnson Valley.

Sunset at Johnson Valley.

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Photo of barren desert at Johnson Valley.

Shade and water is a must whether coming here for a day or for the weekend.

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Front fender of Suzuki RM-250 in the desert.

You can see the numerous trailers and RVs camping out in the distance. Even if you run short on supplies, Lucerne Valley is about 15 miles away which has basic supplies.

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Photo of sun going down at Johnson Valley.

Another view of the sun going down in the desert.

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Photo of BLM sign for Johnson Valley Open Area.

This sigange can be found off Camp Rock Road.

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Close up photo of BLM signage for Johnson Valley OHV Area.

Johnson Valley signage for the main entrance.

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

A view of hard packed ATV trail winding up small hill.

The trails here are hard packed and very dusty.

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Photo of desert scenery at Johnson Valley.

Dry and dusty conditions are expected during most of the year.

Advertisement

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Photo of Class C motorhome parked with Suzuki dirt bike riding through the desert.

There is no shortage of places to stage and camp.

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Suzuki dirt bike going through the desert.

With the exception of the occasional greasewood, vegetation is limited.

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Two Honda dirt bikes riding around flat area.

This is a good place to get away from the city and bring the family for a weekend of camping and riding.

Johnson Valley Trail Photo

Two Honda ATVs each with red whip flags and one carrying a cooler strapped to the rear.

Not a bad idea to bring a cooler packed with ice, cold drinks and snacks.

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