Places to ride dirt bikes in Southern California

Places to ride dirt bikes in Southern California

Here in Southern California riding season starts the end of September/beginning of October, depending on the heat. Although there are a few places to go in the Summer I will tell you about later.

This year it’s a late start but it has finally arrived!! Now…..where to go?

Over the years we have camped and rode our dirt bikes all over Southern California Ocotillo Wells, Red Rock, Slash X, Jawbone Canyon, Red Mountain, Kennedy Meadows, Gorman and many more. I will take you to each of these places over the next few days.

Ocotillo Wells/ Anza Borrego State Park

Located off Highway 78 near Salton Sea (http://www.desertusa.com/ovr/du_owinfo.html has a great map and some important phone numbers) in Southern California. This used to be “our spot”. We would camp there 4 or 5 times every year; Halloween & Thanksgiving were big weekends and a tradition for our family and friends. Over the last few years this has become a “hot spot” for all riders in So Cal. This means HUGE crowds on holiday weekends.

Here are some tips for camping in Ocotillo Wells:

Make sure you go by the ranger station and grab a map. Most people don’t do this and miss out on the best Ocotillo has to offer! I personally believe the ranger should be doing more than just giving out tickets, so I am constantly bugging them for info. The result is better trips for us!! We have been on AMAZING day trips out there because rule number one is to find the spots the locals go to. And out there the ranger is the local.

Most of the washes and roads are marked with street signs. The maps they have are awesome and will help you get around and explore the area.

Some of our favorite rides are: Pumpkin Patch, Gas Domes and The Hot Springs.

If you are going to 4x4 in a street legal vehicle, check out Box Canyon. There are tons of canyon’s to explore. Make sure you are in the right vehicle for the right areas. They hand out tickets pretty liberally in Ocotillo. Military Wash is fun to. Follow it as far as you want. It goes on forever with some really fun spots.

Blow Sand, Devils Slide and Shell Reef are great places to watch hill climbs and for the better riders in your group to play on.

Make sure you visit the local bar. Leave your money on the wall. Have a beer. Good Times!

On a typical day in Ocotillo we will get up, possibly a little hung-overJ, make a big breakfast, pack lunches, snacks and drinks and take off for the day. The “big” guys might go off on a “fast” ride while the Mom’s take the little ones. There is usually a day dedicated to taking the kids on a “big” ride. Otherwise they usually ride on the hills near camp or go on short rides. We love to 4x4 with the kids. Finding places for them to explore while we relax! We will usually pick a spot and a time to meet up with the dad’s somewhere on the trail for lunch.

Camping Conditions:

There are designated spots w/ picnic benches and wood awnings.

Bathrooms are scattered throughout the park.

You can basically camp wherever you want here. I believe the only private property is the airport. If you are iffy about camping somewhere DON’T camp there. I like my space and we are usually a loud group so we found the perfect spot about 30 years ago that has been ours ever since. We NEVER have neighbors but are still close to the night spots like Blow Sand and Devil’s Slide.

For your first trip you should stay in a nice, safe area. During your stay, scout out the park. Find “your spot”. Make sure you look at the sand conditions and how you will get in and out of the spot. There is nothing worse then getting stuck on your way out of camp, except getting stuck on your way into camp!!

Try to camp way off the main roads. Dust is a problem in Ocotillo, so try to stay away from heavily populated areas. Don’t be afraid to go “off the beaten path”. A camp spot a little higher than everyone else is good because the dust settles close to the ground.

The wind in Ocotillo can get brutal. I have chased many a tent, pillows even underwear through that desert. Make sure everything is attached to the ground. Once we came back from a ride and our tent was gone. We found it later about a mile out of our camp by following the trail of clothes!

We have spent many nights wearing our goggles around the fire due to high winds.

Whatever you do don’t leave. Try to ride it out. The next day will be beautiful and most of the people that couldn’t take it have left. You will have the next day all to yourselves to ride without worries!! Some of our best trips have followed some serious wind storms!

Go to Ocotillo Wells and have fun! Ride, Ride, Ride! Enjoy your kids, family and friends! The best place to bond with them is after a day of riding, by the fire!

Be Safe, Barbie