Johnson Valley OHV Area

Click here for the latest information concerning upcoming military training and closures of the Shared Use Area.

 

Overview

Johnson Valley is a varied landscape for the off-highway vehicle driver. It is punctuated by steep red rocky mountains, rolling hills, open valley, dry lake beds and sandy washes. Elevations range from 4,600 feet at Hartwell Hills to 2,300 feet at Melville Dry Lake.

Vegetation consists of creosote scrub, annual grasses, wild flowers and Joshua Trees. Johnson Valley offers a riding opportunity for every skill level.

 

Know Before You Go

Off-Highway Vehicle Use

The southeast portion of the riding area offers a large mass of hills known to the rock crawler world wide as the “Hammers.” This area is for experts and has gained the attention of off-roaders in recent years through an event called “King of the Hammers,” experts only need apply. North of the Hammers offers a quality riding experience for novice and intermediate riders and some small dune riding experience.

There are two car/truck courses for racing in the north central and western portions of the valley. Anderson Dry Lake on the western boundary of the area is used for casual riding for intermediate and novice riders. It is popular with off-roaders. The butte boasts areas with small rolling hills for the novice, rocky ridges for the more experienced riders, huge rock structures for the rock crawlers and is a poplar place for motorcycle trials events.

The 96,000 acre off–highway vehicle riding area has something for every rider at every skill level. Approximately 53,000 acres of Johnson Valley is a shared-use area with the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MGAGCC) located in Twentynine Palms, CA.

The following partial list of regulations and tips should help OHV users and other recreationists appreciate and enjoy the use of these public lands.

 

 

Johnson Valley OHV Area
Johnson Valley OHV Area

The riding area can be entered from Highway 247 at Old Woman Springs Road or Camp Rock Road, 55 miles southeast of Barstow. Most visitors access the area off Camp Rock Road by driving north off of Highway 247. Staging for many competitive events is at Anderson Dry Lake, 10 miles north of Highway 247 and east of Camp Rock Road. These are graded dirt roads.