One of the best things about buying a machine in El Cajon is how close the riding is. Head east on Interstate 8 or up through the backcountry and within a couple of hours you can be in sand dunes, open desert washes, mountain trails or quiet dirt roads. Here are the public riding areas San Diego riders use most, what the ground is like at each, and which machines suit them.
One rule before anything else: permits, closures, fire restrictions and seasonal rules change. Check with the agency that manages each area before you load the trailer. We list who that is below.
Ocotillo Wells SVRA
Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area sits on the east side of San Diego County, next to Anza-Borrego. It is wide-open desert: sandy washes, badlands, small dunes, hill climbs and plenty of room to roam. It is one of the easiest places in the region for a family to ride, because the terrain ranges from mellow to challenging.
Almost anything works here. A ZFORCE eats the washes and whoops, a CFORCE ATV is perfect for kids and newer riders, and dual-sport and adventure bikes have plenty to explore. It is managed by California State Parks, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. A whip flag is required in dune areas.
Imperial Sand Dunes (Glamis)
Glamis is the big one: miles of tall, open sand dunes east of El Centro. It is a sport machine’s playground. Bowls, ridges and long sand runs reward power and suspension travel, which is why you see so many four-seat sport side-by-sides out there.
Sand changes everything. Momentum matters, tires matter, and the dunes hide blind drop-offs. A ZFORCE 950 or the turbocharged Z10 is at home here; smaller ATVs and lighter machines can ride the flatter areas but take more skill in the big stuff. Whip flags are required. The dunes are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), El Centro Field Office, which handles permits and seasonal rules.
Superstition Mountain OHV Area
West of El Centro, Superstition Mountain mixes sand dunes, washes and rough, rocky desert. It is usually less crowded than Glamis and a good stop for Imperial Valley riders who want a closer day. Side-by-sides, ATVs and dirt bikes all fit. It is also managed by BLM El Centro. Parts of the surrounding land are restricted, so stay inside the open area and watch for signs.
Corral Canyon OHV Area
For a change from sand, Corral Canyon in the Cleveland National Forest gives you mountain trails close to home: chaparral, rocky climbs, tight switchbacks and cooler air than the desert. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Descanso Ranger District.
This is technical riding. ATVs and dirt bikes are a natural fit, and some routes are width-restricted, so check which trails allow side-by-sides before you bring one. Fire season matters a lot in the backcountry. Closures and restrictions can come and go, so call the ranger district before you go.
McCain Valley and Lark Canyon (BLM)
Out near Boulevard, McCain Valley and the Lark Canyon OHV area offer high-desert riding with boulders, granite and big views. The pace is slower and more scenic, with a mix of graded dirt road and tougher trail. It suits a CFORCE ATV, a UFORCE for a relaxed day with family, or an Ibex for adventure riders who want gravel and quiet. It is managed by BLM El Centro.
Anza-Borrego: street-legal dirt roads only
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has hundreds of miles of dirt roads, but it is not an OHV park. Vehicles must be street legal, and you stay on established roads: no off-route riding, no hill climbs, no cutting across the desert. That makes it great country for a plated adventure bike like the Ibex 450 or 800, or a street-legal dual-sport. Check with California State Parks for current road conditions and closures.
Green sticker and registration
In California, an off-highway vehicle that is not street legal needs OHV registration through the DMV, the familiar “green sticker,” to ride on public land. Out-of-state riders usually need a nonresident permit instead. Rules and costs change, so check the DMV and California State Parks for current requirements. When you buy from us, DMV registration is already included in the take-home price.
Which machine fits where you ride?
If you mostly ride Glamis, you want different things than someone who splits time between Corral Canyon and the ranch. Tell us where you ride and who comes along, and we will point you to the right model. Browse what’s on the floor at our inventory, and read our desert riding checklist before your next trip.
Ready to ride? Stop by 1062 N 2nd Street in El Cajon or call (619) 486-6622.