Home > California > Superstition Mountain

Superstition Mountain

Friday, February 7, 2025

Trail Map

Other Names

Superstition Mountain Open Area, Colorado Desert

Last Known Status

Open

This large open area offers more variety and challenging terrain than nearby Plaster City, and less law enforcement than Ocotillo Wells SVRA. The terrain is a mix of dry lakes, bad lands, rocky mountains and rolling dunes. There is a good variety of trails for all skill levels, but most of the area can be rated as beginner to moderately challenging.

All vehicle types are welcomed and visitors can park, ride or camp anywhere. There is no fee charged to camp or ride, but there are no services and all off road vehicles must display a current California OHMVR Sticker or an equivalent registration sticker from a reciprocating state.

Cross-country travel is permitted but beware the bombing ranges to the north and south. Holiday weekends are crowded and rowdy, with lots of bonfires, speeding and massive parties. During the summer this area gets blazing hot, so the best time to visit is during late fall through the winter months.

OHV Area Map... Nearby ATV OHV Areas...

REGULATIONS

Permit Required	Yes	CA OHMVR stickers required
Dates Open	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

TERRAIN

Approx Size	13,000 acres (20 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail	100
Climate Type	Desert
Elevation	0 to 700 ft.
Trail Maintenance	Not Marked, Not Rated, Not Maintained
Loose Dirt	Little
Hard Pack	Some
Sand	Mostly	paddle tires or sand tires recommended
Mud	Little
Dust	Some
Rocks	Some
Trees	None
Steep Hills	Some
Water Crossings	None
Small Jumps	Many
Large Jumps	Some
Berms	Few
Sand/Gravel Pits	Few
Single Track	Few
Roads	Some
Intersections	All
Rider Traffic	Many	busy on holidays, especially in fall
Shade	None
Ranges/Gunfire	Few
Hazards	Some	(hazards not marked) Beware of nearby bombing ranges.
Novice	Mostly
Amateur	Some
Expert	Little
Comment	More variety and challenging terrain than nearby Plaster City but less law enforcement than Ocotillo Wells.

TYPE OF AREA

Area	Motorized Trails, Off-Road Dunes

Land

BLM

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline	20-30 Miles (SE)	7-11 (760) 352-4383
Diesel	20-30 Miles (SE)	Chevron (760) 352-2600
Water	5-20 Miles (SE)	Sunbeam Lake RV Resort (760) 352-7154
RV Hookup	5-20 Miles (SE)	Sunbeam Lake RV Resort (760) 352-7154
RV Disposal	5-20 Miles (SE)	Sunbeam Lake RV Resort (760) 352-7154
Campground	30+ Miles (NE)	Salton Sea State Recreation Area (760) 393-3052
Conv Store	20-30 Miles (SE)	Walmart (760) 337-1600

FEES & PASSES

Parking	(None)
Entry	(None)
Riding	(None)
Camping	(None)
Comment	open area BLM

RATINGS

Pros	good variety of desert terrain open area - camp/park/ride anywhere
Cons	crowded on holidays can be very windy sometimes rowdy - bonfires, speeding, parties
Our Rating	Good
Recommended Stay	1-2 Days recommend fall season
Comments	(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest City

El Centro, CA

Address

Wheeler Road, Imperial, CA 92251

Trail Map

From: San Diego, CA
1) I-8 East to Exit 101
2) Turn left (north) off the exit ramp onto Dunaway Road, continue 1.6 miles
3) Turn right (east) onto Old Hwy 80/Evan Hewes Hwy, continue 4.3 miles
4) Turn left (north) onto Huff Road, continue 6.4 miles
5) Turn left (west) onto Wheeler Road, continue about 2 miles
6) Multiple staging areas on both sides of the road.