The Ultimate Off-Road Guide to Jawbone Canyon, CA

If you are looking for an area where there is an endless amount of off-road trails then Jawbone Canyon, CA is the place for you. Jawbone offers over 7,000 acres of open-public land with a wide variety of riding opportunities including cross country play, trail riding, and advanced technical hill climbing and descending opportunities. Jawbone Canyon offers the ultimate thrill and fun adventure for you and your family because the off-road possibilities are endless. If you are planning your next off-road adventure, here is the ultimate guide to Jawbone Canyon, CA.

How to Get There:

Jawbone Canyon is the perfect spot for your off-roading adventure because it is a short drive from the city. It is the perfect spot to go riding, hang out, eat some delicious food, and make great friends along the way. The route you take to the dunes will depend on where you are coming from.

Los Angeles to Jawbone Canyon: (approx. 2 hours)

Get on US-101 N ramp
Keep left to continue on CA-170 N/Hollywood Fwy, follow signs for Sacramento/170 N
Merge onto I-5 N
Continue onto CA-14 N
Follow CA-14 N/Midland Trail to your destination in Cantil

Arizona to Jawbone Canyon: (approx. 7 hours)

Get on I-10 W
Follow I-10 W to CA-138 W in San Bernardino County. Take exit 131 from I-15 N
Get on CA-14 N in Los Angeles County
Merge onto CA-14 N
Follow CA-14 N/Midland Trail to your destination in Cantil

Camping:

Camping at Jawbone Canyon is super easy to do. The campsites are completely FREE of charge and you can camp out up to 14 days at a time. The entire OHV area and surrounding public lands are open year-round so you can camp out at any time. There are a great number of camping sites and OHV staging/off-loading areas within Jawbone Canyon. However, keep in mind that there is no water access, RV hookups or shade anywhere in the area so you must come prepared with everything you need for the encampment. The nearest place to fill up for water is either at the Flying J off Exit 34 in Bakersfield, or pay $10 to fill/dump at Red Rocks State Park.

Insider Tip: If you forget anything supplies at home, the Jawbone Canyon Store sells the basic necessities you'll need to camp out. Check it out and grab some last-minute things before you head out to set camp.

Regulations:

Before you head out for some off-roading fun at Jawbone Canyon, make sure that you are equipped with all the necessary guidelines. Either a “green or red sticker” OHV registration is mandatory for ALL vehicles that are not considered "street legal." If you are visiting from another state, you must have a valid permit/registration from an OHV program in your home state. If you do not have a permit, you will have to buy a non-resident OHV permit at the Jawbone OHV Station. Make sure all your permits are correct so you will not have to worry about getting one once you get there.

Vehicles Allowed:

Off-road riders enjoy visiting Jawbone Canyon because of its steep and challenging hill climbs. The off-road vehicles allowed at this destination are dirt bikes, ATV’s, UTVs and side-by-sides, SUVs and Jeeps (must be registered), dune buggies, and sand rails. You can tear up the terrain with any off-road vehicle imaginable. If you don’t have an OHV do not worry, you can go to Fun Time Rentals (next to the Jawbone Canyon Store) and rent one.

👇 Things to do at Jawbone Canyon!

The Jawbone Store:

The Jawbone Canyon Store is your one-stop-shop at Jawbone Canyon. Stop by to get gas, propane, firewood, ice, or your basic groceries you might have forgotten to pack from home. This place also sells basic off-road parts that frequently break in case your vehicle needs immediate maintenance. Take some a souvenir of Jawbone Canyon. Their gift shop has everything from t-shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts, hats, shot glasses, mugs, beer glasses, cozies. etc.

Insider Tip: The Jawbone Store is located on Hwy 14, about 20 miles north of the Mohave, CA.

Dine at Cheyenne’s Deli/Bar:

Aside from selling supplies, the Jawbone Canyon Store is also home to a Deli/Bar. This place has become a popular meeting spot for riders to get something delicious food and drinks, share their riding stories, and just hang out. They have a shady beer garden where campers go to take a break from riding, enjoy some live entertainment (on holiday weekends only), meet new people, and just have a great time.

Jawbone Canyon Trail:

Jawbone Canyon Trail is a fan favorite in Jawbone because it consists of mostly extremely steep hill climbs. It is a 17-mile long route that connects Jawbone Canyon and Dove Springs. Aside from the deep climbs, this trail also has some deep washes and long loop trails. Once you pass the aqueduct, this trail is very beautiful and scenic (perfect for photo-ops with friends and family).

Insider Tip: Due to the challenging hill climbs, this trail is recommended for more experienced riders.

Schmidt Tunnel:

If you are in the Jawbone area, you must go through the Schmidt Tunnel. A long time ago, a man named Mr. Schmidt was determined to find gold in the middle of the dessert and be rich. He began to dig his mine but only ended up with a long, dark tunnel which is still open to the public today. The tunnel is 1.5 miles long and goes from one side of the mountain to the other. It’s pretty cool to walk through it so don’t miss out on this wild exploration.

Dove Springs:

Dove Springs is also a very popular spot known for its OHV trails. It is about a 15-minute drive from Jawbone Canyon so many riders take the trip to check out these trails as well. The terrain at Dove springs entails 5,000 acres of open-use public land for you to enjoy consisting of rolling hills with scrub brush, sandy washes, a popular bowl area, and a lot of jumps! These trails are a great place to start exploring the endless amount of trail riding opportunities available in this area.

Red Rock State Park:

Red Rock State Park is also fairly close to Jawbone Canyon. Within this state park, you can ride several amazing OHV trails. Here are some trails you can check out:

Black Rock Canyon Trail: This awesome trail is about 2 miles long. It is a fairly easy ride that you will enjoy with family and friends. There are a lot of scenic places along the trail that will make you want to stop to explore and take some pics.

Hagen Canyon Nature Trail: This trail is most known for its red-stained sandstone curtains, rock windows, and desert cliff scenery. It is only about 1.1 miles long, but many riders enjoy to explore some more off-trail (since it is permitted). Riders need to be careful when exploring off-trail because there is some uneven ground.

Scenic Canyon Trail: This beautiful trail is fairly easy (3.2 miles long). Make sure you take your camera with you because these trails have some pretty awesome sceneries that will make you want to get off your vehicle and have a photo-op.

Randsburg Ghost Town:

Take your OHV for a ride to Randsburg ghost town and spend some time exploring this unique town. If you decide to visit on a weekend day, you can learn more about this ghost town at the Randsburg Museum, enjoy some delicious food, drinks, and relaxation at the White House Saloon restaurant. This place is awesome to take a break from riding and spend some quality time with family and friends.

Conclusion:

If you want to find a place that has an endless amount of off-road trails then Jawbone Canyon is the perfect place for your next off-roading adventure. There are trails for all skill levels whether your interests are cross country play, trail riding, or advanced technical hill climbing. Plan your next friends/family trip to Jawbone Canyon. You won't regret it. :)

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