El Mirage OHV Area
Area Location: this riding area is located in the Mojave Desert, east of Palmdale and west of US Highway 395 and Adelanto.
Type of Area: OPEN; 24,000 acres
Climate: Desert
Elevation: 2800 to 3800+feet
Open: year-round, muddy parts of the lakebed are closed until dried.
Best Months: October to May (hot in summer)
Vehicles Permitted: all OHVs
Directions: from U.S. HWY 395, take Chamberlain Way west to Kiowa Road and turn right to head north towards the town of El Mirage. Then turn left at El Mirage Road and head west to Mountain View Road, turn right and you will see a BLM El Mirage OHV Area sign on your right as you enter the OHV area.
From Palmdale, take Palmdale Boulevard eastbound and turn left, heading north to 240th Street. Turn right to head east onto Avenue P. The road becomes El Mirage Road when you enter San Bernardino County. Drive through the town of El Mirage and just after the town, turn left to head north onto Mountain View Road. From there the riding area is entered.
Terrain: dry lake, sandy basin, and rocky trails to the north.
Lakebed: the area has a huge dry lake available for all vehicles and OHVs. The lakebed is large and takes a while to get across, also beware of fast drivers. Sometimes the surface is mushy and sometimes it is hard packed. When a storm hits, parts of the lake stay muddy, these areas are closed from riding until they dry up.
The Basin is a fairly flat area between the lakebed and the hills is called “The Basin.” The area has sandy trails running in many directions and gradually climbs elevation to some hill-climbs and trails running up into the hills. This is an area to look both ways at intersections because tall vegetation can block your view from cross-traffic.
Shadow Mountains: the mountains on the north side of The Basin. Some trails have rocks packed into the soil, and some climbs have loose volcanic rock. This is an area for riders with at least some riding experience, it is not recommended for beginners. The reason for this is the need to pay attention to the ups and downs of the trails and to have enough speed and skills to ascend climbs with loose rock. These trails also offer great views of the lakebed and of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Twin Hills: on the east side of the El Mirage lakebed that gets little use. It lies between the Little Shadow Mountain group and US Highway 395. The area is a basin with mound-hills for climbing. Camping is permitted within the area; motor homes should beware of sand.
Camping:
Camp away from mine shafts! They are deep and rescue is unlikely.
Campsites: no established campsites, but around the lakebed are many open areas for setting up camp, and any of these areas can be used for day use or overnight use. It is preferred to camp in previously used turnouts. Camping is limited to 14 days.
Camping is allowed on the lakebed, but not more than 100 feet inward from the lake’s edge Meaning, camping is permitted on the outskirts of the lakebed as long as you are within 100 feet from the lake’s edge.
Area Location: this riding area is located in the Mojave Desert, east of Palmdale and west of US Highway 395 and Adelanto.
Type of Area: OPEN; 24,000 acres
Climate: Desert
Elevation: 2800 to 3800+feet
Open: year-round, muddy parts of the lakebed are closed until dried.
Best Months: October to May (hot in summer)
Vehicles Permitted: all OHVs
Directions: from U.S. HWY 395, take Chamberlain Way west to Kiowa Road and turn right to head north towards the town of El Mirage. Then turn left at El Mirage Road and head west to Mountain View Road, turn right and you will see a BLM El Mirage OHV Area sign on your right as you enter the OHV area.
From Palmdale, take Palmdale Boulevard eastbound and turn left, heading north to 240th Street. Turn right to head east onto Avenue P. The road becomes El Mirage Road when you enter San Bernardino County. Drive through the town of El Mirage and just after the town, turn left to head north onto Mountain View Road. From there the riding area is entered.
Terrain: dry lake, sandy basin, and rocky trails to the north.
Lakebed: the area has a huge dry lake available for all vehicles and OHVs. The lakebed is large and takes a while to get across, also beware of fast drivers. Sometimes the surface is mushy and sometimes it is hard packed. When a storm hits, parts of the lake stay muddy, these areas are closed from riding until they dry up.
The Basin is a fairly flat area between the lakebed and the hills is called “The Basin.” The area has sandy trails running in many directions and gradually climbs elevation to some hill-climbs and trails running up into the hills. This is an area to look both ways at intersections because tall vegetation can block your view from cross-traffic.
Shadow Mountains: the mountains on the north side of The Basin. Some trails have rocks packed into the soil, and some climbs have loose volcanic rock. This is an area for riders with at least some riding experience, it is not recommended for beginners. The reason for this is the need to pay attention to the ups and downs of the trails and to have enough speed and skills to ascend climbs with loose rock. These trails also offer great views of the lakebed and of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Twin Hills: on the east side of the El Mirage lakebed that gets little use. It lies between the Little Shadow Mountain group and US Highway 395. The area is a basin with mound-hills for climbing. Camping is permitted within the area; motor homes should beware of sand.
Camping:
Camp away from mine shafts! They are deep and rescue is unlikely.
Campsites: no established campsites, but around the lakebed are many open areas for setting up camp, and any of these areas can be used for day use or overnight use. It is preferred to camp in previously used turnouts. Camping is limited to 14 days.
Camping is allowed on the lakebed, but not more than 100 feet inward from the lake’s edge Meaning, camping is permitted on the outskirts of the lakebed as long as you are within 100 feet from the lake’s edge.
Until October 1, 2008, the area is free of charge to visit.
Beginning October 1, 2008:
Each vehicle driven into the area will be required to have a special recreation permit. A separate permit is NOT required for any vehicles towed into the area. However, if a towed vehicle is later driven in or out of the area a permit will be required.
$15 for a one-day permit, valid from dawn to dusk
$30 for a weekly permit, valid for 7 days
$90 for an annual permit, valid from October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009
Permits will be available on-site.
No reservations accepted (first-come, first-served).
Facilities: one bathroom at the east end of the lakebed (there may be more); no running water.
Trailer Length Limit: none, motor homes may have trouble in the sand, but they do frequent the area.
Rules and Regulations (taken directly from the BLM Barstow website):
-Vehicles operated on bladed dirt roads and paved highways (publicly maintained roads) must be registered for highway use. These roads may be crossed at a 90-degree angle by Off-Highway vehicles, but are not to be used for travel. (38025 CVC) All required safety equipment must be installed on such vehicles.
-Off-Highway Vehicles owned by California residents must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and must display a valid "Green Sticker" registration plate properly on the vehicle. (38010 CVC and 38170 CVC).
-If you are not a resident of California and your Off-Highway vehicle is not registered in your home state, you are required to have a Non-Resident "Green Sticker" OHV permit, issued by California Department of Parks and Recreation, to operate your vehicle in the state of California. (38020 CVC) The display locations on the vehicle are the same as those specified for California Green Stickers. (38170 CVC)
-It is illegal for anyone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs to operate an OHV. In addition, operating or riding an OHV with an open container of alcohol is prohibited. (23152(a) CVC)
-Possession or use of any glass container, empty or not, used for carrying any liquid for drinking purposes is prohibited. (43 CFR 8365.1-6)
-OHVs must be equipped with an approved muffler, brakes, and spark arrestor. (38365,38355, and 38366 CVC) Seat belts are to be worn if your vehicle is equipped with them. The OHV operator must be able to reach and operate all controls on the vehicle.
-Headlights and taillights are required when driving between one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. (38335 CVC)
-OHVs are not to be operated faster than what is safe for the conditions of the area. (38305 CVC) When riding within 50 feet of any campground, campsite, or concentration of people or animals, speeds cannot exceed 15 mph. (38310 CVC) It is unlawful for any person to drive any motor vehicle in any manner with a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of other persons. (38316 CVC)
-The El Mirage OHV Area is a No Shooting Area. (43 CFR 8365.1-6) It is illegal to possess and/or discharge fireworks. (43 CFR 8365.2-5(a))
-On the ground, motorized vehicles should yield to non-motorized craft and aircraft.
-All persons, regardless of age, who operate an ATV on public lands must wear an approved safety helmet. (38505 CVC)
-Persons less than 14 years of age must be supervised by a parent or guardian. (38504 CVC) Carrying passengers is prohibited on ATVs. (38506 CVC)
-The lakebed is closed to all users where wet or muddy. -Any actions that result in surface disturbance or destruction are illegal. (43 CFR 8365.1-6)
-No person will operate an Off-Highway vehicle in a manner likely to cause unnecessary damage to land, wildlife, wildlife habitat, or vegetative resources. (38319 CVC)
-Joshua Trees are protected. It is prohibited to dig up, remove, or destroy any tree or shrub. Bring your own nail-free firewood.-The desert tortoise is listed as a threatened species. Do not handle tortoises. They may lose water when frightened, risking death through dehydration. (CA F&G 5000)-Camping on BLM lands is limited to 14 days. Camping is not allowed "in the open" on the lakebed, more than 100 feet away from the shore. It is unlawful to leave a campfire without extinguishing it. Campfire permits are required during periods of high fire danger. (43 CFR 9212.1)-It is illegal to leave litter on public land. (43 CFR 4140.1 (b(6)).
-Do not burn pallets or wood with nails.
Forecast: El Mirage, CA or call for a recording: (760) 388-4411
BLM Emergency Assistance (Dispatch): (888) 233-6518
Hospitals:
Victor Valley Hospital
15248 11th Street West
Victorville, CA760-245-8691
St. Mary Regional Medical Center
18300 Highway 18
Apple Valley, CA
760-242-2311
Contact:
Bureau of Land Management:
Barstow Field Office
2601 Barstow Road
Barstow, CA 92311
Ph: 760-252-6000
Fax: 760-252-6098
Official Site:
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/barstow/mirage.htmlBarstow, CA 92311
Ph: 760-252-6000
Fax: 760-252-6098
Official Site:
