Dove Springs OHV Area
Jawbone Canyon and Dove Springs OHV Areas are open for public use. The visitor center will remain closed at this time. The BLM encourages responsible, local recreation to avoid putting strain on communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please practice social distancing, don’t gather in large groups and clean your hands often. Social distancing recommendations may require that visitors spread out to less popular areas and avoid times of highest use, such as weekends. Visitors are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace principles. Please bring your own sanitary products, including toilet paper and hand sanitizer, and pack out all trash as services are limited.
From cross-country play in the sandy bowl to steep hill climbs, the Dove Springs OHV area offers over 5,000 acres of open-use public land for you to enjoy. The Dove Springs bowl is also a great starting point to begin to explore the hundreds of miles of trail riding opportunities available in this region.
Know Before You Go
- The desert tortoise, a state and federally listed threatened species, are found within the riding area.
- Out of State Vehicles: OHV users must comply with all California rules and regulations governing Off-Highway vehicles. Please see below for a partial list of key regulation and visit the California OHV Page for more information.
- Weather: The area is hot and arid, with summer high temperatures ranging from 100 to 120 degrees F. Winter low temperatures may drop below freezing with highs in the 70's. Typical of the desert, winds are frequent and strong, and humidity is generally low.
Off-Highway Vehicle Use
The following partial list of regulations and tips should help OHV users and other recreationists appreciate and enjoy the use of these public lands.
- OHVs owned by California residents must be registered with the California DMV and must display a valid “Green Sticker” or “Red Sticker”.
- If you are NOT a resident of California and your OHV is not registered in your home state, you are required to have a NON-RESIDENT Green Sticker OHV permit.
- On the ground, motorized vehicles should yield to non-motorized craft and aircraft.
- OHVs must be equipped with an approved muffler, brakes, and spark arrester.
- It is illegal for anyone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs to operate an OHV.
- It is illegal to bring, dispose of, or possess any glass container, empty or not, within the open area.
- It is illegal to bring, dispose of, or possess any firewood containing nails, screws or other metal hardware within the open area.
- NO PALLETS!
- It is illegal to possess and/or discharge fireworks.
- Persons on an ATV under 14 years of age must be supervised by a parent or guardian.
- All persons, regardless of age, who operate an ATV on Public Lands must wear an approved safety helmet; Carrying passengers is prohibited on ATVs; Remember—Safety First, Every Ride, Every Time!
Located off State Route 14, just north of Red Rock Canyon State Park, approximately 30 miles north of the intersection of State Routes 14 and 58 in the town of Mojave. The entrance to Dove Springs OHV area is located on SC 94. traveling from the south, make a left turn from SR 14 onto SC 94. Traveling from the north, make a right turn onto SC 94.