What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Bell Mountain Trail
This trail, which is 48 minutes southeast of the El Mirage OHV Area in Apple Valley, can be rocky in some places, and finding footing can be tricky. However, the views of the high desert are spectacular.
Length: 1.4 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Deep Creek Hot Springs Trail
This short trail, which is an hour and 25 minutes southeast of the El Mirage OHV Area, offers a surprisingly challenging hike in the form of steep or sandy areas. Deep Creek Hot Springs Trail ends at hot springs, which hikers are welcome to bathe in.
Length: 3.6 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Arrowhead Pinnacles Trail
Located in the San Bernardino National Forest an hour and a half southeast of the El Mirage OHV Area, this trail is excellent for sightseeing, hiking, wildlife viewing, or horseback riding.
Length: 4.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Dogwood Campground Loop
This beautiful trail passes through dense green forests and offers many opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. It is located an hour and 20 minutes southeast of the El Mirage OHV Area.
Length: 3.8 miles
Intensity: Easy
Lake Gregory Trail
Located an hour and seven minutes southeast of the El Mirage OHV Area in Lake Gregory Regional Park, this trail is pet-friendly and offers a beautiful, leisurely hike.
Length: 2.3 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
Lake Gregory, which is about an hour southeast of the El Mirage OHV Area, is an excellent option for fishing. The lake is regularly stocked with golden and rainbow trout. Hesperia Lake Park is also a fantastic fishing option, and trout are plentiful. Approximately an hour southeast of the El Mirage OHV Area, the park also has camping options and provides access to nearby hiking trails.
Climbing
There are hundreds of climbing locations throughout the area around the El Mirage OHV Area. Sawtooth Canyon Campground, nicknamed "New Jack City,” located an hour and 20 minutes northeast of the El Mirage OHV Area, features over 460 climbs. Most of the climbs are sport routes, but there are also some traditional, top-rope, and bouldering options. Fairview Mountain in nearby Apple Valley also offers about 331 climbs. Again, most of these climbs are sport routes of varying difficulties.
Wildlife Viewing
The Angeles National Forest and San Bernardino National Forest offer incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, and many places within the forests are excellent for wildlife and landscape photography. Squirrels and a range of beautiful birds, including falcons and many songbirds, are the most commonly seen animals. But visitors may also spot bighorn sheep, horned lizards, bears, bobcats, and even mountain lions. Angeles National Forest is about two hours southwest of the El Mirage OHV Area while San Bernardino National Forest is 40 minutes southeast of the BLM site.
Picnicking
The Mescal Picnic Area is located 45 minutes southwest of the El Mirage OHV Area, and it offers beautiful scenery and eight picnic tables. Pedestal grills and vault toilets are also available, and the area provides access to Jackson Lake, which provides some fishing opportunities.