Ocotillo Wells Park - A Motocross and Offroad Riding Dream

If you've never been to Ocotillo Wells for a day of Motocross riding it's a must. Ocotillo Wells offers offers over 80,000 acres of pure Motocross and Off Road Vehicle enjoyment. The desert is open for all kinds of off-road enjoy. Motocross, trail bikes, sand rails, bugs, and you everyday 4x4 trucks. You can find it all tearing though the desert during off road season.

The park is located about 80 miles Northeast from the heart of San Diego. In addition, the adjacent boundaries outside the part offer large tracts of BLM (Bureau of Lan Management) that are also open to off-road and Motocross free riding. Ocotillo Wells is also located next to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. This half-million acre park is not open to off-road vehicles, but incredible to explore if you have the extra time.

Ibelieve Ocotillo Wells offers just about any person of any skill level hours upon hours of riding enjoyment. Ocotillo Wells offers a huge variety of challenges that will have you racing at eight miles an hour across flat stretches of desert one minute and climbing almost vertical walls of sand the next minute.

Ocotillo Wells has so many different changes in terrain it is one of the funnest places to ride. It's also a great place for family and friends to gather for a weekend of fun and excitement. You're able to pick just about any spot you can find to setup camp and get out riding.

Shell Reef offers some of the most exciting riding at Ocotillo Wells. You'll find Motocross riders, quads, and sand rails traversing these hills and pulling off some incredible jumps. You'll also find a section of the park that's closed to riding to preserve the reef. Yes reef!!

You won't find rock or sand, but fragments of fossilized oyster shells and with a closer look entire shells and even pieces of reek within the slopes. The reef is estimated to be 4 million years old and pushed out of an ancient sea during an upheaval as the distant mountain ranges where being formed. The area closed is to preserve this natural beauty.

This is one of the most interesting spots at Ocotillo Wells in my opinion. From Holmes Camp, its about a 12 mile round trip that's well worth the time it takes. Not only do you get some great riding out and back, but you get to check out some every interesting sandstone creations. They look almost like pumpkins (go figure).

They are believed to have been formed by the natural cementing of sand particles, small pieces of shells, and yes even insects. This ares is blocked off from riding through, but you can get out and walk, sit, and stand among the pumpkins.

Blow Hill is definitely one of the more popular gathering spot at Ocotillo. You will find many riders grouping at the bottom of this step sand filled hill readying for the challenging to make it to the top.

During the heart of riding season riders tackle this hill all day and even into the night where you will find the hill illuminated by all the headlights trying to make it to the top. This hill is a result of wind-blown sand carried for miles and deposited in this massive pile of sand. It's safe to say this is probably the most popular spot in all the park.

Devils Slide offers a 200 foot-high granite and sand island for the riding enthusiast. This is quite possible might be the most challenging obsticle at Ocotillo Wells. The mountaintop is an ancient decomposing covered by a dark coat of desert varnish due to the exposure to sunlight. There are also several hidden mine shafts along the mountain side, which are said to be haunted. There have been reports that flickering lights near the mines can be seen at night after a rainfall. Will you be the one to find out if this is true??

Gas Domes is located in the BLM area just outside of Ocotillo, but only a short 1 1/2 miles out Gas Dome Trail.

The Gas Domes are mysterious volcano like mud pots of bubbling liquid. They are cold to the touch and the gray water releases large bubbles of gas. Gas Domes also offers a distant view of the Salton Sea. It looks much closer than it actually is and makes for quite an interesting ride. Be sure to take fuel consumption into consideration before heading out though, you definitely don't want to get suck in the middle of no where!

As stated on the parks website, it's the riders responsiblity to be aware of the rule and regulations. If you have any questions you can flag down one of the Park Rangers who will be more than helpful to answer your questions.

REGISTRATION
All vehicles must be registered and display a current license plate or "green sticker".

SPEED
If your riding within 50 feet of a campsite or group of people, the speed limit is set at 15 mph. At no time can your speed endanger the safety of other persons or property.

LIGHTS
If you're planning on riding through the night you must have a white headlight and red taillight visible from at least 200 feet.

ALCOHOL
Same laws that apply to the highway applies to the park. Not drinking and riding.

GLASS
Keep the glass containers at the camp site. Not glass on the trails

MUFFLERS
All vehicles must have an adequate muffler

FIREARMS
Absolutely no firearms are allowed in the park.

FIREWORKS
You'll see them at night off in the distant, but fireworks are not allowed in the park.

FIRES
You can build them, but you have to bring your own fuel and gather firewood is strictly prohibited. No wood with screws or nails allowed and it must be untreated.

COLLECTING
No collect of plants, animals and everything in between. It's all protected.

UNLICENSED OPERATORS
Must be under supervision and capable of reaching all controls. Can drive at night.

Proper great is a must when riding regardless if you are at Ocotillo Wells or anywhere else.

Minimum Gear
Helmet, Googles, Protective Clothing, and Boots.

Recommended (add)
Chest Protector, Shoulder Guards, Elbow Pads, Knee Pads, Riding Boots, Shin Guards, and Gloves.