The Ultimate Off-Road Guide to Johnson Valley

Johnson Valley is an OHV area here in Southern California that many off-roaders visit for its steep red rocky mountains, rolling hills, open valley, dry lake beds, and sandy washes. It is a pretty famous spot and has gained a lot of attention in recent years through an event called “King of the Hammers”. Some of the most experienced off-roaders make a trip out here to challenge themselves with the terrain that this OHV area can offer. This 96,000-acre OHV riding area has something for every rider at every skill level. Let’s go over a few things you should know before heading out, some cool spots to visit, as well as must visit areas.

About:

How to Get There?

Johnson Valley is located near Lucerne Valley, California in the San Bernardino County. If you are coming from Barstow, CA take Hwy 247 (Barstow Rd.) south towards Yucca Valley.
At the intersection of Hwy 18, stay on Hwy 247 (now Old Woman Springs Rd.) Enter the Johnson Valley OHV area by taking a left on Camp Rock Rd., Bessemer Mine Rd. or Boone Rd.

Where to Camp?

There are plenty of areas where you can set up camp. There are no fees to camp at this OHV area and it is a “dry camp” area so no power or water is readily available. You can camp anywhere within the OHV area as long as you are not on the road/trail of private property. The more popular camping areas are the dry lake bed spots. These areas tend to be more favorable because there are not as many rocks or brush that can get in the way.

The Terrain to Expect?

The terrain in this dessert is a really good mix of easy to moderate terrain. The weather is typically dry, hot and windy. There are many trails to choose from in this OHV area with all kinds of levels of riding experience. At the highest points of some of the mountains here, you can appreciate the rugged mountain scenery for hundreds of miles. There is not really much vegetation except for the Joshua trees and occasional scrub brush.

What to Do?

Means Dry Lake:

Means Dry Lake is known for being the hosting area of the King of the Hammers race that is held every February. It is open all year round and the trail around it is shaped in a loop. While this race is not being held you can camp on the dry lake bed and ride on this flat terrain for a few miles. It can get very windy and very cold during the night so arrive well prepared. The area is wide open and you can travel anywhere you want.

Jack Hammer Trailhead:

One of two famous “Hammers” is the Jack Hammer trail. This trail is known for being crazy hard and for the ones who love a challenge. This trail is known as probably the single hardest trail in the US. This trail has no mercy for your most best built 4X4 rig and will push everything you have to the limit and maybe more. We never recommend doing this trail alone and without recovery gear like spare parts, gear, and a group with less than 4-vehicles. Definitely a trail for more experienced off-roaders. This trail is used when the King of the Hammers races go on.

Sledge Hammer:

This is the second famous “Hammer” trail, the Sledge Hammer Trail. It just as insanely hard as the Jack Hammer Trail. It is the southernmost trail of the Hammers. This trail is fairly shorter than Jack Hammer but the obstacles are stacked closet together and there is no stopping until you make it out! We also recommend what we stated before, try to never do this trail alone and without recovery gear like spare parts, gear, and a group with less than 4-vehicles. And if you are a beginner we strongly recommend you choose another trail to start off on. This trail is also used during the King of the Hammers.

Giant Rock:

Giant Rock is literally what it sounds like. It is a huge rock that is about seven stories high and covers almost 6000 square feet. It has a spiritual background as it was considered to be sacred by the Native Americans of Joshua Tree, CA. Off-roaders stop by this huge boulder to get a picture next to it and show you how big this rock actually is. You may think it is just a rock, but remember it is a GIANT rock and you do not see that every day.

Take a Break From Riding:

Silver Peak:

Silver Peak is a 7.9-mile hike and reaches a Silver Peak 7,975ft peak. The peak looks out across the Granite Mountains and the peaks of Providence Range. This is a great and amazing view of the Mojave National Preserve. It is a fairly easy trail to follow and moderate to complete. We recommend having a vehicle that sits a little higher as the road to get to the trailhead is a dirt road.

Pisgah Lava Tubes

Pisgah Lava Tubes are young volcanic cinder cones rising above a lava plain in the Mojave Desert. You will need to hike a bit to get to these lava tubes but the walk is worth the unique and peculiar scenery you will experience. There may have been activity at this site as recent as 2,000 years ago; however, others believe the last eruption occurred as early as 20,000 to 50,000 years ago. Lava flows extend 11 mi to the west and 5 to the southeast of the cone. Make sure to wear jeans or thick bottoms, as pumice can shred your leg while sliding and climbing through the lava tubes. This is not really a recommended trail for small children, bring a flashlight, and try to plan your visit in the cooler months.

Integratron:

Integratron is something that is definitely out of the ordinary and worth a visit if you want to experience something “out of this world”. The white dome that you see right away was built on an intersection of powerful geomagnetic forces that, when focused by the unique geometry of the building, concentrate and amplify the earth’s magnetic field. Magnetometers read a significant spike in the earth’s magnetic field in the center of the Integratron. Its creator, George Van Tassel claimed that the structure is based on the design of Moses’ Tabernacle, the writings of Nikola Tesla and telepathic directions from extraterrestrials. Whether you believe in this or not it is still a cool attraction to stop by.

Johnson Valley is a great option when you are looking for a short and adrenaline-packed weekend of fun. There are many spots all over the OHV area that you are sure to find something just for you. Remember to bring your dirt tires because it is mostly and mainly all dirt. This is a great way to push yourself to the limit and enhance your off-roading experience. With a chance to improve and push yourself, we also want to remind you to never put yourself in danger if you are really not prepared for any of these activities. But most of all have fun!

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