Home > California > Ocotillo Wells

Ocotillo Wells SVRA

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Trail Map

Other Names

Anza-borrego Desert, Borrego Springs, Pole Line Road, Colorado Desert

Last Known Status

Open

Operated by California State Parks, this large open area offers many types of interesting and unique terrain, such as the gas domes and pumpkin patch areas. With over 80,000 aces and large stretches of BLM land to the south and east, there is plenty to see and vast desert trails that you can ride.

There are no fees, and there are virtually unlimited primitive camping opportunities, however, this is a party place, especially on holiday weekends. This area gets rowdy, especially at night, so be sure to mark and light up your camp well and square it off with vehicles so people don't ride through it.

Recent upgrades have been added which include a couple youth tracks and coin operated showers at the Discovery Center and Holmes Camp. Jeep tours are sometimes offered on Fridays and Saturdays.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit Required	Yes	CA OHMVR stickers required
Dates Open	Daily Year-Round	CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted from 10/1 to 5/31
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	Yes (96 inches)	Whip Flags Required For Safety flags mandatory for ATV's but recommended for dirt bikes & autos
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)	Permitted
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered)	Permitted	CA OHMVR stickers required
2 Stroke Engines	Certain Times	CA OHMVR restrictions apply
MX Helmet Required	Yes	helmets required by state law
Camping	No Restriction	(camp anywhere)
Campfires	No Restriction
Night Riding	Yes
Trail Blazing	Permitted	areas that are off limits are well marked
Alcohol	Some Areas	permitted in campsite
Rule Enforcement	Many	Dedicated Rangers/Officers On-Site Office/Station Armed OfficersJeep/SUV Patrol ATV/Saddle Mounted Patrol heavy law presence on holidays
Comment	Drones and unmanned aerial systems are prohibited.

TERRAIN

Approx Size	85,000 acres (133 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail	500
Climate Type	Desert
Elevation	0 to 400 ft.
Trail Maintenance	Not Marked, Not Rated, Not Maintained
Loose Dirt	Little
Hard Pack	Mostly
Sand	Some
Mud	Little
Dust	Some
Rocks	Little
Trees	Few	Holmes Camp has tamarisk trees and shade gazebos.
Steep Hills	Some
Water Crossings	None
Small Jumps	Many
Large Jumps	Some
Berms	Few
Sand/Gravel Pits	Some
Single Track	Some
Roads	Some
Intersections	Some
Rider Traffic	Many	busy and rowdy on holidays, especially Thanksgiving
Shade	Few	some shade ramadas in developed camp areas, very few trees
Ranges/Gunfire	Few
Hazards	Some	(hazards not marked) Beware of nearby bombing ranges, cliffs.
Novice	Mostly
Amateur	Some
Expert	Little

TYPE OF AREA

Area	Motorized Trails, open area mostly, variety of terrain

Land	State Recreation

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline	1-5 Miles (E)	Ocotillo Wells
Diesel	1-5 Miles (E)	Ocotillo Wells
Water	1-5 Miles (W)	potable water Desert Ironwoods Resort (760) 767-5670
RV Hookup	1-5 Miles (W)	Leapin' Lizard RV Ranch (760) 767-4684
RV Disposal	1-5 Miles (W)	Desert Ironwoods Resort (760) 767-5670
Campground	On Site
Conv Store	1-5 Miles (E)	Ocotillo Wells

FEES & PASSES

Parking	(None)
Entry	(None)
Riding	(None)
Camping	(None)

RATINGS

Pros	open area, interesting & unique terrain, warm climate, no fees
Cons	crowded on holidays, rowdy at night on holidays, many night riders, dusty, party atmosphere
Our Rating	Very Good
Recommended Stay	3-5 Days hot in summer, recommend fall
Comments	(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest City

Borrego Springs, CA

Address

5172 Highway 78, Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Trail Map

From: San Diego, CA
1) I-8 East to 79 North
2) 79 North to 78 East
3) 78 East to small town of Ocotillo Wells
4) Multiple staging areas on left (north) side of highway.