The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Johnson Valley OHV Area is located south of Barstow, California, near the San Bernardino National Forest. The area is also not far from Joshua Tree National Park and several wilderness areas. The area, which spans 96,000 acres, is a haven for OHV riders and racers, and there are many trails for riders of varying skill levels. Riders can traverse desert scrub, meadows, dry lake beds, washes, and hills. Rocky hills, known as the Hammers, have given rise to an annual competition for experienced rock crawler riders. Aside from riding, visitors can also take in the area’s natural beauty and many desert plant species, including Joshua trees, wildflowers, and creosote.
Like all BLM locations, the Johnson Valley OHV Area is made up of public lands that are monitored and maintained by the Bureau of Land Management for visitors’ enjoyment. This also helps to protect the area’s landscape, animals, and plants. To find BLM sites, search for “BLM camping near me.”
This hike offers some challenging uphill stretches, and it is a great option for either hiking or mountain biking.
Length: 6.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Located in nearby Apple Valley, this trail provides a beautiful look at the area’s landscape.
Length: 1.4 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This trail offers lovely views of Apple Valley and passes by historic landmarks.
Length: 1.9 miles
Intensity: Easy
Located in the San Bernardino National Forest, this trail is a fantastic option for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding.
Length: 4.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This trail leads to a beautiful creek, and it is a wonderful option for viewing or photographing wildlife.
Length: 3.6 miles
Intensity: Difficult
One of the best nearby locations for fishing is Lake Gregory, which is an excellent place to catch trout. The lake is regularly stocked. Hesperia Lake also offers great trout fishing. There are also many nearby hiking options for anglers looking to stretch their legs.
Sawtooth Canyon is one of the most popular locations near the Johnson Valley OHV Area for rock climbing. Here, climbing enthusiasts can tackle more than 450 sport, traditional, top-rope, and bouldering options. Each route varies in difficulty, so there’s something for beginner and advanced climbers alike.
Visitors can head to the nearby San Bernardino National Forest or the Harper Dry Lake to view a range of wildlife. Animals such as snakes, coyotes, foxes, sandpipers, marsh wrens, plovers, antelope, tortoises, bobcats, cottontail rabbits, and snakes are common sights.
One of the most scenic spots for a picnic is the Mescal Picnic Area, which offers eight tables, grills, and restrooms. The Mojave Narrows Regional Park also offers grills and shaded picnic tables, and there are open spaces and playgrounds.
Visitors to the Johnson Valley OHV Area can enjoy standard and BLM RV camping. The Lone Wolf Colony is a beautiful campground and a designated historical landmark that offers RV camping and six dump stations. The Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground is also an excellent option. This campground offers inexpensive overnight rates, picnic tables, fire pits and grills, restrooms and showers, and potable water. Because it’s so large, reservations are not required and a space is nearly guaranteed. The Horse Springs Campground offers 11 sites and provides a rugged, quiet camping experience. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and campers can stay for up to 14 days.
Bureau of Land Management free camping is available at Sawtooth Canyon Campground. There are 13 campsites, each with a fire pit, barbecue grill, and picnic table. There is also a shade ramada. Free camping is also available at Harper Dry Lake as long as campers set up their dispersed site within 50 feet of a designated open route.
The Johnson Valley OHV Area shares about 53,000 acres with the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms. Because of this, some parts of the area may occasionally be closed or blocked off for military training exercises. You can check the training schedule before you head out to make sure all areas are open and accessible.
All ATV riders must wear protective helmets while riding. When passing by a campsite, person, or animal, speed must be kept to 15 miles per hour or less. OHVs must have an approved spark arrester and muffler, and they must be equipped with a flag for visibility. All vehicles used in the area must be registered or permitted to operate in California, and they must display either a license plate or a green sticker.
Obey all signs, and do not enter areas that are marked as sensitive wildlife or plant habitats. Some of the wilderness borders private property. Do not enter these areas without permission. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Bureau of Land Management campgrounds and wilderness areas require care and protection in order to stay beautiful for generations to come. You can use "Leave No Trace" practices, such as picking up litter and disposing of all trash properly, to guide your actions. In the OHV area, be cautious of other visitors and wild animals while you drive. Try to limit your impact on the landscape around you as much as possible.
From Barstow, travel about 55 miles southeast on Highway 247. Visitors can enter the riding area from Old Woman Springs Road or by traveling north on Camp Rock Road. Most competitive events begin in the staging area at Anderson Dry Lake, which is 10 miles north of Highway 247 and just east of Camp Rock Road.
Ready to visit Johnson Valley 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 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.
