Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) are motorized land vehicles mostly used for recreation purposes. As the name suggests, an OHV is usually not legal to operate on public highways, streets, or roads. An OHV is instead driven on public or private authorized trails, beaches, open fields, or in the desert. All terrain vehicles (ATV’s), off-road motorcycles or dirt bikes, dune buggies, snow mobiles, and 4-wheel drive vehicles, such as jeeps and trucks, can all be defined as OHV’s. When off-roading, all vehicles must meet DMV standards for approved muffler (96dBA max.) with spark arrestor and current registration.
OHV’s such as motorcycles and ATV’s must also be equipped with approved muffler (96dBa max.) with spark arrestor and have valid green sticker or red sticker registration properly positioned on vehicle. Also, remember, it’s a state law that requires all ATV riders to wear an approved helmet. Please follow all rules and regulations of each respective park, trail, and staging area. Show respect and consideration for the natural and built environment, and other park, trail, and staging area users. Above all, recreate safely and enjoy the adventure!
OHV Resources
- Friends of El Mirage (www.elmirage.org): Meeting held at the El Mirage OHV Area Visitor Center every second Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Meeting attended by Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Land Sailing Association, OHV interests, State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR), division staff, and the general public.
- California Trail Users Coalition (www.ctuc.org): Meeting held the third Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 3550 Foothill Blvd. within the City of Glendale. Meeting attended by Angeles National Forest representatives for non-motorized and motorized interests, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department representatives, four-wheel drive organizations, Concerned Off Road Bike Association (CORBA), equestrian interests, hiking and running interests – Annual Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run organizers, and the general public.
State Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division
Hungry Valley (gorman) State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA)
Angeles National Forest (ANF)
Angeles Nation Forest OHV Areas – includes Rowher Flats, Drinkwater, San Gabriel Canyon, Littlerock, etc.
- TIP: San Gabriel Canyon OHV area is permitted by agreement with the County of Los Angeles Flood Control District, Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the Angeles National Forest who manage the site).
- UPDATE: DPR funded the new four wheel drive obstacle course and ATV training area just past the entrance to the San Gabriel Canyon OHV area. The obstacle course was designed and constructed by the California Trail Users Coalition (CTUC).
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
El Mirage OHV Park – managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Local Agency (City or County) OHV Parks
Local OHV Parks
Privately owned and/or operated OHV Parks
- Antelope Valley Fairground (AVF) Motocross Park
- Los Angeles County Raceway (LACR) Motocross Park (Permanently Closed due to rock quarry expansion, definitely not due to lack of continued interest in motocross)
- Piru Motocross Park
OHV Staging Areas, Roads, and Trails
- Rincon-Shortcut USFS OHV Route – (Special no-fee permit required)
- Indian Canyon Trailhead USFS OHV Trail Staging Area – Provides access to the Pacific Crest trail (equestrian and hiking only), and OHV roads.
UPGRADE: Department of Parks and Recreation funded the Angeles National Forest to provide: fenced parking areas, an OHV (Motorcycle/ATV) loading/unloading ramp, vault toilet, shade ramada, and table for recreational users at the Indian Canyon Staging Area also used by Pacific Crest Trail equestrian and hiking users.
OHV Training/education Organizations and Sites
- Honda Rider OHV Education and Environmental Learning Center – Honda Motor Company provides training for Street motorcycle and Off-Highway motorcycle training.
- ATV Safety Institute – (Up to eight students per 4-hour training course)
- Specialty Vehicle Institute of America
OHV Special Projects
The purpose of the Los Angeles County OHV Dialogue is to build consensus among stakeholders and community members on OHV Park Planning Guidelines (siting criteria) for a possible OHV park, trail, and/or staging area in Los Angeles County to be owned and operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation. There are three phases associated with this project: Phase One – Complete LACO Park Planning Guidelines; Phase Two – Analyze prospective site(s) for either a regional or urban OHV park, trail, or staging area; and, Phase Three – Completed full analysis of probable site(s), including stakeholder input, and Board Office approval.
No specific project sites were identified, evaluated, or selected as a part of the first phase of this project. Rather, the Park Planning Guidelines will serve as a framework for future efforts during phase two and three of the project, where potential sites may be identified and evaluated. The Guidelines (See link to Guidelines below) specify factors to consider when evaluating potential park locations, such as, but not limited to: environmental, land use, sound, topography, access conditions, and criteria related to vehicle operational characteristics.
The LACO OHV Park Planning Guidelines were completed on November 2010, and updated August 2011. Please click on above link to view or download the complete document!
Two OHV staging area sites were reviewed by the County of Los Angeles, Department of Parks and Recreation. On June 20th, 2014 the Department decided not to pursue the acquisition and development of the Littlerock Park site (Letter of Determination).
Click below for the following information:
Littlerock OHV Park Project Fact Sheet
Littlerock Public Meeting Flyer (11/20/13 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM) at Jackie Robinson Park
Littlerock Public Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
Community Meeting and Public Comment Summary Report
Letter of Determination
The Department continues to investigate and review viable OHV park sites.
The Grand Opening of the County-funded San Gabriel Canyon Four-Wheel Drive Obstacle Course and the All Terrain Vehicle Training Course.
