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| Home > California > Nordhoff Ridge Road |
Nordhoff Ridge Road
Sunday, June 30, 2024
| Other Names | Los Padres National Forest, Ojai Ranger District, Nordhoff Peak, Rose Valley Campground, Chief Peak, Rose Valley Falls, Rose Valley Creek, Sespe Creek, Bear Creek, Thacker Creek, Red Reef |
| Last Known Status | Open |
This part of the Los Padres National Forest offers a wide and hard packed 4x4 road that is about 10 miles long. The trail has a few steep climbs but features some stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges and valleys.
Rose Valley is a small campground located about a half mile before reaching the trailhead. The campground features nine sites that come with a picnic table, BBQ grill and fire ring. There is no water but a vault toilet is provided. Reservations are recommended which can be made online.
Visitors should note that a permit is required to access the trail which must be obtained prior to entering by sending an e-mail to the Ojai Ranger District. Only street legal trucks or motorcycles are permitted on this trail.
***ANNOUNCEMENTS***
Permit Update
Reservations for a permit are being accepted by email only. Send an email with your phone number in the email to steven.yamshon@usda.gov. Walk-ins or mail-ins are no longer accepted. The permit is free but is limited to four people per vehicle, no exceptions. For more information call (805) 448-4710.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| Dates Open | May 1 - December 15 | CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round |
| 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 street legal vehicles only |
 ATVs | Prohibited | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 UTV & SXS | Prohibited | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Permitted | street legal vehicles only |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Prohibited | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | CA OHMVR restrictions apply |
| MX Helmet Required | Yes | helmets required by state law |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
 Campfires | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) |
| Night Riding | Unknown | |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | keep on the trail |
| Rule Enforcement | ||
| Comment | Visitor permit required and reservation must be made no more than 14 days in advance. Trail may close on short notice due to bad weather - call before heading out. | |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | National Forest |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | Yes Tent: $30.00 RV: $30.00 Addtl. Vehicle: $10.00 Rose Valley Campground Fee |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Good |
| Recommended Stay | Full Day |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Ojai, CA | ||
| Address | Rose Valley Lake Road, Ojai, CA 93023 | ||
| From: Ventura, CA
1) Take SR-33 North about 20 miles 2) Turn right (east) onto Forest Service Road 6N31/Rose Valley Road, continue about 3 miles 3) Turn right (south) onto Rose Valley Lake Road, continue about .5 miles 4) Trailhead is located about 2 miles south past campground. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Los Padres National Forest - Ojai Ranger District 1190 E. Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 646-4348 steven.yamshon@usda.gov www.fs.usda.gov |
ADD PHOTOS
TERRAIN
| Miles Of Trail | 10 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 3000 to 5200 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  None | |
| Hard Pack |  All | |
| Sand | None | |
| Mud | None | |
| Dust |  Little | |
| Rocks | Little | |
| Trees |  Some | |
| Steep Hills | Some | |
| Water Crossings | None | |
| Small Jumps | None | |
| Large Jumps | None | |
| Berms | None | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track | None | |
| Roads | All | |
| Shade |  Few | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice |  Mostly | |
 Amateur | Some | |
 Expert | Little |
GPS POINTS
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | Ojai, CA | |
| Diesel | Ojai, CA | |
 Water | Ojai, CA | |
 RV Hookup | Ojai, CA | |
 RV Disposal | Ojai, CA | |
| Campground | Ojai, CA | |
 Conv Store | Ojai, CA |
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS