America’s 26 Greatest ATV Destinations – Pacific Region

Destinations, West — By ATV Mag on February 18, 2010 at 12:00 pm

At about 3.79 million square miles, the United States is a vast nation — the world’s third largest by land area. The diversity of our people defines us, but our world-beating OHV trails are pretty magnificent, too. We American off-road riders have an all-you-can-eat buffet of terrain choices and ATV Destinations available for the taking —deserts and dunes of the southwest, towering peaks in the Rocky Mountains, dense forests and the countless lakes of the Midwest, stunning views from atop the Ozark Mountains and the colossal riding areas of the rolling Appalachians.

Our American history of conservation and outdoor adventure has preserved land for every purpose — wildlife refuges, plant conservation, camping, hiking, prairie restoration, city parks and National Forests comprising about 8.5 percent of our total land area.

As good as we have it, recent legislation like the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act has put a bull’s eye on drastically reducing lands available to human recreation. Our view is that getting out there on sustainable, properly managed trails is an essential way for people to explore and learn to appreciate our natural environment.

So what are you waiting for? It’s summer, and trails are open — get out and ride! Here are some suggestions to get you started — our list of 26 of the Greatest ATV Destinations in the country.

Pacific

Imperial Sand Dunes
Perhaps the most famous off-road and destination in the country, and one of the most popular riding areas in the world, the Imperial Sand Dunes (frequently called Glamis) of Southern California near the Mexican border includes approximately 118,000 acres for off-highway vehicles like ATVs, dirt bikes, sand rails, side-by-sides and trucks.

Riding the Imperial dunes for the first time is daunting, with difficulty ranging from easy to white knuckles. Getting lost is a concern, as the terrain is always morphing, and the scenery blends together. The payoff is riding in an endless desert paradise seemingly designed exclusively as a high-speed ATV riding oasis.

What makes it great?
Race up Oldsmobile Hill, carve sand bowls and jump dune faces by day, camp in the sand or cross the border for some nighttime excitement in Mexico. One-and-a-half million annual visitors can’t be wrong!
Contact: El Centro Field Office, (760) 337-4400; Imperial Sand Dunes Website

Mojave Desert
A spectacular getaway for residents of the Southwest, and anyone looking for a change of pace, the Mojave Desert in California contains some of the greatest high desert riding in the country. Terrain varies from enormous valley stretches to mostly treeless hillsides that bring riders thousands of feet above the desert floor.
Don’t let the extreme weather scare you off. Springtime in the Mojave is particularly delightful, as the desert is bursting with life and blanketed by bright patches of wildflowers.

What makes it great?
Park at Jawbone Station, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles on Highway 14, and explore the expansive Jawbone OHV Area. Don’t miss Randsburg, an old mining town that’s a great spot for photos, lunch and American Old West charm.
Contact: Jawbone Off-highway Vehicle Open Area, (760) 384-5400; Mojave Desert Website

Mount Hood National Forest
There’s a reason you periodically hear of exploring hikers trapped on Mount Hood in Oregon — the view and extreme high-altitude experience is worth a little risk. If you go by quad, and stay on the marked trail system, you can get a similar thrill without having to pack and carry camping gear, and you’ll probably make it out alive at the end of the day.

Mount Hood is incredibly beautiful, and the above-the-clouds (in some cases) ATV trails offer riders great variety and make for a very amusing and scenic ATV destination. This is dream-like riding on a grand scale.

What makes it great?
Just getting to the trails can be an experience, with winding roads that spiral into the clouds. The view on the way up is spectacular, and the area has many other destinations for traveling riders.
Contact: Mount Hood National Forest, (541) 467-2291; Mount Hood National Forest Website

Oceano Dunes SVRA
Located along the beautiful Pacific coast in Southern California just north of Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach’s Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is one of the most popular ATV destinations for sand dune riding right on the ocean coast.

Formerly known as the Pismo Dunes, Oceano is a geologically unique location. The prevailing ocean winds create uncommon riding conditions, but all riders must exercise extreme caution in spotting dangerous slipface drop-offs.

What makes it great?
Oceano Dunes SVRA also offers swimming, surfing, fishing, camping, clam fishing and hiking in addition to its dunes — the most extensive coastal dunes remaining in California.
Contact: Oceano Dunes District Office, (805) 773-7170; Oceano Dunes SVRA Website

Ocotillo Wells SVRA
As California’s largest State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), Ocotillo Wells has more than 80,000 acres of desert that’s open to off-highway exploration, which is a gargantuan amount of riding possibilities. Even better, Ocotillo is affordable: no fees are collected for camping or day use, and camping is permitted for up to 30 days a year — so stay a while!

Key attractions include the eroded Blow Sand Hill, the 200-foot-high Devil’s Slide, Barrel Springs sand dunes, the unusual Shell Reef and Pumpkin Patch sandstone concretions.

What makes it great?
The freedom of desert riding meets the educational value of geology class.
Contact: Ocotillo Wells SVRA, (760) 767-5391; Ocotillo Wells SVRA Website

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Like no other place on the planet, the Oregon Dunes bring fantastic dune riding, the Pacific Ocean and pine trees together in one remarkable spot. The dunes start at the sea and, at points, stretch two miles inland and reach up to 500 feet above sea level.

The continent’s largest expanse of coastal sand dunes, approximately half of the Oregon Dunes are open to motorized vehicles. Campgrounds, staging areas and several annual events make this a top ATV destination.

What makes it great?
Pacific Northwest residents have everything within a day’s drive: snow, mountains and the ocean. No place sums this up better than the Oregon Dunes NRA — one of the most striking, unusual riding places open to public riding.
Contact: Siuslaw National Forest, (541) 750-7000; Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Website

To view the rest of America’s 26 greatest ATV Destinations by region, follow the links below.

ATV Destinations: MOUNTAIN REGION

ATV Destinations: MIDWEST REGION

ATV Destinations: EASTERN REGION