The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Jawbone Canyon OHV Area is a 7,000-acre area in the California Mojave Desert with opportunities for ATV/OHV riding, vehicular rock climbing, and dirt bike or mountain bike exploring. Although the area is known for being an OHV hotspot, it's also open for hikers, horseback riders, hunters, and RV campers. The landscape of the Jawbone Canyon area is considered quite rugged, with plenty of rock formations and sandy spaces.
Jawbone Canyon OHV Area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a U.S. government organization that strives to keep the land open for the public to use for free. This area is open 24/7 all days of the year unless otherwise noted on the BLM's website.
The Nuooah Nature Trail is a short, easy walk with interpretive signs near Tehachapi Mountain Park.
Length: 0.25 mile
Intensity: Easy
Part of the grand Pacific Crest Trail crosses the Mojave Desert nearby the Jawbone Canyon OHV Area. While the total trail extends from the U.S. and Mexico border to the U.S. and Canada border, hikers and bikers can explore the southern California portion more easily here.
Length: 2,660 miles
Intensity: Difficult
The Freedom Trail in Meadow Brook Park is a short, easy walk that is dedicated to local veterans.
Length: 1 mile
Intensity: Easy
Hundreds of visitors come to the Jawbone Canyon OHV Area every month to take advantage of its free riding opportunities. Within the area, there are wide, open spaces for cross-country riding at varying difficulty levels, and there are marked OHV trails to drive, too. There is also a staging area where most campers choose to park their rigs, but warm-up OHV riding can be done in this area as well.
While riding in this area is free, riders are required to have green or red California-issued OHV stickers on their vehicles. Stickers can be purchased either online or in-person at Jawbone Station at the front end of the area. Those who want to ride but don't own an OHV can also rent one from the local businesses just outside the area entrance.
Hunters with a valid California-issued hunting permit can use Jawbone Canyon OHV Area to hunt for big and small game animals, from mule deer to cottontail rabbits. The local season for hunting deer lasts for the month of October, while the seasons for bighorn sheep last from December to February and for quail from October to the end of January. Hunters should respect other area visitors while hunting and may choose to venture deeper into the OHV area where there is less human activity for better hunts.
Among the desert shrubs, visitors can spot Mojave Desert native animals like mule deer and desert tortoise. You may also catch a glimpse of quail, chukar, rabbits, and coyotes day and night.
If you'd like to stop for a picnic near the Jawbone Canyon OHV Area, consider using a nearby picnic site or shelter so that you don't have to worry about getting sand in your food when you are around other OHV riders. You can use the picnic site at Red Rock Cliffs just across the street from the OHV area, which has a couple of picnic tables and vault restrooms near the parking lot. You can also have a picnic at a local park, such as Saddleback Butte, which has a picnic ground.
The Mojave Desert is known for its spectacular view of the night sky. Specifically, its views of the milky way, which is difficult to see anywhere else in the continental U.S. You can take advantage of these views by camping at Jawbone Canyon OHV Area and lying out under the sky after dark. For the best views, turn off all surrounding lights and put out your campfire so that there is no immediate light pollution to obstruct your views.
If you're looking for RV camping options with full hookups, consider staying at a private campground nearby Jawbone Canyon OHV Area, such as Mountain Valley RV Park. This park has water and hookups for you to use for a low nightly price. You can also consider staying at Indian Hill Ranch RV Park, which has the same amenities plus amazing mountain views.
When you're looking for BLM camping near me, look no further than the staging area at Jawbone Canyon OHV Area. This staging area is popular with RV campers and can be easily accessed via dirt and stone roads. Campers can choose their own campsites here and are permitted to stay for up to 14 days at a time. While this is a Bureau of Land Management free camping option, it is also a primitive option, meaning you will have no RV hookups or water access.
Anyone who wishes to ride their off-highway vehicles in this area should be sure to obtain the correct stickers for their vehicles before or upon entering the area. Those who wish to stay at the Bureau of Land Management campgrounds here should also be sure to pack everything they will need for their stay, like drinking and washing water, food, and battery-operated lights, although there is a general store on the site that has some camping necessities if you forget something. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
All Jawbone Canyon OHV Area visitors are asked to follow the BLM's Leave No Trace policy, which is a set of guidelines that aim to help keep the area clean and safe for future visitors and the wildlife to use. These rules include things like packing out what you pack in, containing campfires, and avoiding feeding the wild animals.
To reach Jawbone Canyon OHV Area from the city of Mojave, take State Highway 14 North for 20 miles. From there, turn left onto Jawbone Canyon Road, and you will be able to enter the area after passing the Jawbone Canyon Store.
Ready to visit Jawbone Canyon OHV Area? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day of exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
