Home > California > Rowher Flat

Rowher Flat OHV Area

Sunday, July 7, 2024

Trail Map

Other Names

Angeles National Forest, Rowher Flats, Los Angeles Gateway Ranger District, Drinkwater, Texas Canyon

Last Known Status

Open

This part of the Angeles National Forest offers about 60 miles of offroad trails, technical hill climbs and some play areas. Trails are marked, rated and groomed, but are mostly hard pack dirt.

Recent upgrades have been made to the staging areas which now offer loading ramps, vault toilets, shade ramadas, picnic tables, trash cans and fire rings (bring your own water). The main staging area has a large parking lot plus an adjacent 80cc mini track and 4x4 training course.

Additional access can be found off Bouquet Canyon Road which can also be used to reach the northern portion of Rowher Flats and Drinkwater Flats.

An Adventure Pass is required and must be obtained prior to arrival since there is no self pay kiosk.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit Required	Yes	CA OHMVR stickers required valid registration required for all vehicles
Dates Open	Year-Round	CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted from 10/1 to 4/30
Other ATV Stickers Accepted	Yes	Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY)
Spark Arrestor	Yes	A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise Limit	Yes (96 dB)	CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB)
Whip Flags	Not Required
Maximum Vehicle Width	No Restriction
Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes	Permitted	CA OHMVR stickers required
ATVs	Permitted	CA OHMVR stickers required
UTV & SXS	Permitted	CA OHMVR stickers required
SUVs & Jeeps (registered)	Some Areas	permitted on designated 4x4 trails and open area
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered)	Some Areas	CA OHMVR stickers required permitted on designated 4x4 trails and open area
2 Stroke Engines	Certain Times	CA OHMVR restrictions apply
MX Helmet Required	Yes	helmets required by state law
Camping	Some Areas	(camp in developed sites only) camping permitted in staging areas - first come, first serve
Campfires	Some Areas	(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night Riding	Unknown
Trail Blazing	Prohibited	keep on designated trails OHVs restricted to operate on marked roads and trails only.
Alcohol	No Restriction
Rule Enforcement	Some

TERRAIN

Approx Size	10,240 acres (16 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail	60
Climate Type	Desert
Elevation	2100 to 4844 ft.
Trail Maintenance	Marked, Rated, Lightly Maintained	Trails have been groomed and are less rocky than they use to be.
Loose Dirt	None
Hard Pack	All
Sand	None
Mud	Little
Dust	Some
Rocks	Some
Trees	Few
Steep Hills	Many
Water Crossings	Few
Small Jumps	Few
Large Jumps	None
Berms	Few
Sand/Gravel Pits	None
Single Track	Some
Roads	Few
Intersections	Some
Rider Traffic	Few
Shade	None
Ranges/Gunfire	None
Hazards	Few	(hazards not marked)
Novice	Some
Amateur	Mostly
Expert	Little

TYPE OF AREA

Area	Motorized Trails, trails are hard packed, some open play areas

Land	National Forest

MX TRACK

Features	Public
Max Engine Size	80 cc Max
Min Engine Size	50 cc Min
Comment	mini track/kids course

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline	5-20 Miles (SW)	Mobil Gas Station (661) 252-5777
Diesel	5-20 Miles (SW)	Shell (661) 252-1012
Water	5-20 Miles (SE)	Action/Los Angeles North KOA (661) 268-1214 or (800) 562-2172
RV Hookup	5-20 Miles (SE)	Action/Los Angeles North KOA (661) 268-1214 or (800) 562-2172
RV Disposal	5-20 Miles (SE)	Action/Los Angeles North KOA (661) 268-1214 or (800) 562-2172
Campground	On Site
Conv Store	5-20 Miles (SW)	Mobil Gas Station (661) 252-5777

FEES & PASSES

Parking	Yes ($5.00) Adventure Pass Fee - $5/day or $30/year
Entry	(None)
Riding	(None)
Camping	(None)
Comment	Adventure Pass not required for green or red sticker OHVs, but is required for all street-legal vehicles parked within the OHV Area.

RATINGS

Pros	secluded, basic services, many trails, some free play areas, trails marked & rated
Cons	hard, dry, rocky, run down
Our Rating	Fair
Recommended Stay	Half Day
Comments	(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest City

Santa Clarita, CA

Address

Rush Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91390

Trail Map

From: Santa Clarita, CA
1) Take Hwy 14 E (Antleope Valley Freeway) about 5 miles to Exit 9 (Sand Canyon)
2) Turn left (north) off the exit ramp onto Sand Canyon Road, continue 2 miles
3) Turn right (east) onto Sierra Highway, continue 4.5 miles
4) Turn left (west) onto Rush Canyon Road, continue about 4 miles toward main staging area.

**Note: No stopping, unloading, or OHV riding permitted on Rush Canyon Road.**

For Sierra Pelona Ridge Trailhead:
From Santa Clarita, CA
1) Take Bouquet Canyon Road north about 13 miles
2) Trailhead is on the right (east).

Note: Pelona Ridge Trailhead is about located about 1 mile north past the Big Oaks Lodge.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact Info	Angeles National Forest - Los Angeles Gateway Ranger District 12371 N. Little Tujunga Canyon Road San Fernando, CA 91342 (818) 899-1900 sm.fs.angeles_info@usda.gov www.fs.usda.gov
Comment	Ext. 221

Contact Info

Angeles National Forest - Acton Work Center
33708 Crown Valley Road
Acton, CA 93510
(661) 269-2808

Contact Info

USDA Adventure Pass
602 S. Tippecanoe Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92408-2607
(909) 382-2622
(909) 382-2623
www.fs.usda.gov

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Rowher Flat Trail Photo

On the way in you can see the Texas Canyon Rocks, a popular hiking and rock climbing area.

Rowher Flat Trail Photo

Narrow single track trail with off camber turns.

A good photo of some of the single track in the area.

Rowher Flat Trail Photo

Close up photo of vault toilets, information kiosk, shade gazebo with picnic table surrounded by large boulders.

The Forest Service recently upgraded the staging areas with new restrooms, shade gazebos, information kiosks and picnic tables. Be sure to say thanks!