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| Home > California > El Mirage Dry Lake |
El Mirage Dry Lake OHV Area
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
| Other Names | Shadow Mountains, Mojave Desert, Crows Nest, Resurrection Hill, Twin Hills Road, Rabbit Hole Mine |
| Last Known Status | Open |
This is a large and open area located in the Mojave Desert that consists of a dry lake bed, miles of surrounding sand washes, desert trails and scattered play areas that are open to all off-road vehicles. The trails are open year-round but the lake bed is off limits during wet weather. During weekends this place can be packed with visitors (dry lake racing) but it gets very little use during the week.
The El Mirage Visitor Center is open daily during business hours but self pay kiosks are available that accept credit cards and cash (exact change only). The office has coffee, snacks and ice but also sells helmets, gloves, goggles and sunglasses at reasonable prices.
There are a dozen designated campgrounds to choose from, and many sites come with a shade gazebo, picnic table, BBQ grill and fire ring. The campgrounds are big rig friendly, so finding the right site is fairly easy.
Recent improvements include a designated 54-acre fenced off training area that has loading ramps, restrooms, picnic tables and a large shade gazebo. Free ATV training courses are held here every second Saturday of the month for kids ages 6-17.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| Dates Open | Year-Round | 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 |
 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 | Some Areas | not permitted on lakebed or more than 100 feet from shore |
 Campfires | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) permit required during fire season |
| Night Riding | Yes | |
| Trail Blazing | Permitted | |
| Alcohol | Prohibited | glass bottles prohibited |
| Rule Enforcement | Few/Periodic | |
| Comment | This area was free but as of October 1, 2008 the El Mirage Cooperative Management Area is now a fee area. | |
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 24,400 acres (38 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 40 | |
| Climate Type | Desert | |
| Elevation | 2800 to 3800 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  Little | |
| Hard Pack |  Mostly | |
| Sand |  Some | |
| Mud | Little | |
| Dust |  All | |
| Rocks | Little | |
| Trees |  Few | mostly Joshua Trees |
| Steep Hills | Few | |
| Water Crossings | Some | |
| Small Jumps | Few | |
| Large Jumps |  None | |
| Berms | None | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track | None | |
| Roads | Some | |
| Intersections | All | |
| Rider Traffic | All | |
| Shade | Few | shade is provided by the gazebos within the campsites |
| Ranges/Gunfire | Few | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards not marked) heavy rider traffic during weekends, deep ditches, debris |
 Novice | Mostly | |
 Amateur | Some | |
 Expert | Little | |
| Comment | area can get windy making the trails and lakebed very dusty | |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails, Dry Lake Bed |
| Land | BLM |
GPS POINTS
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Adelanto/Circle K (760) 246-6997 |
| Diesel | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Adelanto/Circle K (760) 246-4222 |
 Water | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Adelanto/Circle K (760) 246-6997 |
 RV Hookup | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Adelanto RV Park (760) 246-7775 |
 RV Disposal | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Adelanto RV Park (760) 246-7775 |
| Campground | 5-20 Miles (SE) | KOA-Victorville (760) 245-6867 |
 Conv Store | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Adelanto/Circle K (760) 246-6997 |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | Yes ($0.00) |
| Entry | Yes ($15.00 per vehicle) Parking, riding, and camping are included in the entry fee. |
| Riding | Yes ($0.00) |
| Camping | Yes Tent: $0.00 RV: $0.00 Addtl. Vehicle: $0.00 |
| Comment | Day pass is $15/day and is good until noon the next day. Weekly pass is $30/week or $90/year. |
RATINGS
| Pros | free, can camp anywhere, miles of trails to explore, descent desert scenery |
| Cons | no shade, windy, dusty, very busy during weekends |
| Our Rating |  Good |
| Recommended Stay | 1-2 Days Fall/Winter |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Adelanto, CA | ||
| Address | 20471 Mountain View Road, Adelanto, CA 92301 | ||
| From: Adelanto, CA
1) Take US-395 to Chamberlin Ave. 2) Turn west on Chamberlin Avenue, continue 2.2 miles 3) Turn right (north) on Koala Avenue, continue 1 mile 4) Turn left (west) on El Mirage Road, continue 5 miles 5) Turn right (north) on Mountain View Road, continue 1.5 miles 6) Continue past stop sign about .5 miles (paved road will turn to dirt) 7) Stage anywhere. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | BLM - Barstow Field Office 2601 Barstow Road Barstow, CA 92311 (760) 252-6000 blm_ca_web_ba@blm.gov www.blm.gov |
| Contact Info | El Mirage Visitor Center 75 Colusa Road El Mirage, CA 92301 (760) 388-4411 staff@elmirage.org www.elmirage.org |
| Contact Info | ATV Safety Institute (877) 216-8779 (760) 983-9417 info@americansafteycouncil.com atvsafety.org |
| Comment | ATV training courses. |
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
This is a good example of the terrain surrounding the lake bed. All off-road vehicles types are welcomed.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
As you see in the background, the area does fill up on weekends and hosts many special events, such as the land speed trials.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
There are various small play areas scattered throughout the area surrounding the dry lake bed.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
Most of the trails immediately surrounding the dry lake bed look like this; Great for beginners.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
Many people park on the lake bed itself.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
You can see the dry lake bed in the background here.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
As you get near the lake bed, the terrain gets really flat.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
There are numerous sandy 4x4 trails to explore.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
Another view of the dry lake bed from the trail.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
This is a good place to bring a beginner or the family.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
Antother view of what to expect here.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
This is what you will mostly encounter here - wide and sandy ATV and 4x4 trails.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
Another staging area easily accessible from the main road.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
The trails are flat and wide, perfect for beginners.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
This is another view of the lake bed taken from a nearby staging area.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
Here is an example of one of the staging areas. Amenities include sun shades and vault toilets.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
This is the main entrance road. Turn left here to go to the lake bed, or continue straight to find multiple staging areas.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
There are countless little jumps in the area around and on some parts of the lake bed.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
The lake bed is vast and mostly smooth.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
This huge berm is one of the many play areas and make-shift tracks in the area surrounding the dry lake bed.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
There are also many trails in the hills surrounding the area. These trails get tougher and offer the most interesting terrain.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
A view of the lake bed from one of the many staging areas.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
One of the small play areas with rolling hills.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
On the lake bed there are ATVs, motorcycles, and passenger cars all going in random directions. You really have to be alert.
El Mirage Dry Lake Trail Photo
There are plenty of great places to camp or park for the day.
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS