Home > California > Superstition Mountain |
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Sunday, December 01, 2019
Other Names | Superstition Mountain Open Area |
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. Visitors can park, ride and camp anywhere, but there are no services. Holiday weekends are crowded and rowdy, with lots of bonfires, speeding and massive parties. Terrain consists of dry lakes, bad lands, rocky mountains and rolling dunes. Cross-country travel is permitted but beware the bombing ranges to the north and south.
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 | |
![]() | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
![]() | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
![]() | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
![]() | 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 |
![]() | No Restriction | (camp anywhere) |
![]() | No Restriction | |
Night Riding | Yes | |
Trail Blazing | Permitted | |
Alcohol | No Restriction | |
Rule Enforcement | Few/Periodic |
Approx Size | 12,800 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 | ![]() | |
Hard Pack | ![]() | |
Sand | ![]() | paddle or sand tire recommended for best experience |
Mud | ![]() | |
Dust | ![]() | |
Rocks | ![]() | |
Trees | ![]() | |
Steep Hills | ![]() | |
Water Crossings | ![]() | |
Small Jumps | ![]() | |
Large Jumps | ![]() | |
Berms | ![]() | |
Sand/Gravel Pits | ![]() | |
Single Track | ![]() | |
Roads | ![]() | |
Intersections | ![]() | |
Rider Traffic | ![]() | busy on holidays, especially in fall |
Shade | ![]() | |
Ranges/Gunfire | ![]() | |
Hazards | ![]() | (hazards not marked) Beware of nearby bombing ranges. |
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Comment | More variety and challenging terrain than nearby Plaster City but less law enforcement than Ocotillo Wells. |
Area | Motorized Trails, Off-Road Dunes |
Land | BLM |
![]() | 20-30 Miles (SE) | 7-11 (760) 352-4383 |
![]() | 20-30 Miles (SE) | Chevron (760) 352-2600 |
![]() | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Sunbeam Lake RV Resort (760) 352-7154 |
![]() | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Sunbeam Lake RV Resort (760) 352-7154 |
![]() | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Sunbeam Lake RV Resort (760) 352-7154 |
![]() | 30+ Miles (NE) | Salton Sea State Recreation Area (760) 393-3052 |
![]() | 20-30 Miles (SE) | Walmart (760) 337-1600 |
Parking | (None) |
Entry | (None) |
Riding | (None) |
Camping | (None) |
Comment | open area BLM |
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 | ![]() |
Recommended Stay | 1-2 Days recommend fall season |
Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
Nearest City | El Centro, CA | |||
Address | Wheeler Road, Imperial, CA 92251 | |||
| From: San Diego, CA
1) I-8 east through mountains to valley floor toward El Centro 2) Take the Plaster City exit, turn left off the ramp (north) under highway 3) Right on Old Hwy 80 (east) 4) Left on Huff Rd. (north) 5) Left on Wheeler Road (west) 6) Multiple staging areas on both sides of the road. |
Contact Info | BLM - El Centro Field Office 1661 S. 4th Street El Centro, CA 92243 (760) 337-4400 blm_ca_listening@blm.gov www.blm.gov |
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