Ride at your own risk. Ocotillo Wells is a vast open riding area, over 85,000 acres, with washes, gullies and dropoffs. Scout unfamiliar ground before you ride it. California State Parks advises checking for unexpected drop-offs and knowing what is on the other side of a hill.
Guide
About this area
• Bounded by Hwy 78 to the south, Highway 86 to the east and S-22 to the north • Terrain: sandy washes, rocky trails, landmarks like the Pumpkin Patch and Shell Reef
Camping
• Open camping throughout the park, up to 30 days per calendar year
• ⛔ Not permitted at Shell Reef, Devils Slide, Blowsand Hill, The Notches or the 4×4 Training areas
• No fees are collected for camping or day use
Facilities
• Vault restrooms and limited shade ramadas in the Quarry, Cove, Main Street, Holly Road and Hidden Valley areas
• 🚿 Pay showers on Ranger Station Road, on Main Street and in Homes Camp
• 💧 Water is NOT available — bring all you need
• ⛔ NO dump station for waste water disposal
Full agency description
Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area covers over 85,000 acres of open desert in San Diego County. Free to ride, with everything from sandy washes to rocky trails, plus landmarks like the Pumpkin Patch and Shell Reef. A favorite for families and mixed-vehicle groups.
At a glance
Quick facts
Best season
October through April. Cooler than Glamis some weekends.
Camping limit
Open camping is permitted throughout the unit for up to 30 days per calendar year. No fees are collected for camping or day use. Note this is different from the 14-day limit used on BLM land.
Managing agency
California State Parks — OHMVR Division
Permit status
No permit required
Access
Getting there
Main entrance — Highway 78Entrance
Highway 78, roughly 35 miles east of Julian or about 20 miles west of Highway 86. This is the access California State Parks lists as the official entrance, and the ranger station at 5172 Highway 78 is on this side. The SVRA is open desert with many other ways in — this is the one the state signs and staffs.
North end of the SVRA. From the Coachella Valley take Highway 86 south along the Salton Sea, then west on S-22, the Borrego Salton Seaway. This is the 86-side way in, not the Hwy 78 entrance.
Entrance to the 4×4 Training Area, just south of Truckhaven and reached the same way — Highway 86 to S-22. This is where Tierra Del Sol stages its Desert Safari each March. The 64th Annual runs in March 2027 — exact dates are announced closer to the event.
Keep speed under 15 mph near campsites or groups of people.
Source: California Vehicle Code §500, §38505, §38601–38602, CVC 27802. Checked Aug 2026. ohv.parks.ca.gov
Standard OHV rules (9)
Common equipment, registration and trail-use rules still apply.
Ride to the highest safety standard, not the legal minimum. A helmet, eye protection, a flag and proper gear are what get you home.
Green sticker or street registration required.
Whip flags are required on ATVs and side-by-sides (ROVs) — whip at least 8 feet off the ground when stopped, flag at least 6 by 12 inches within the top 10 inches of the whip (Superintendent's Orders 555-25-08 and 555-25-17, in force since July 1, 2025).
🪖 Side-by-side / UTV (factory-built, steering wheel, bucket seats, under 1,000cc, does over 30 mph): helmets on the driver and every passenger, and seat belts or a harness fastened whenever it is moving.
🪖 Sand car, sand rail, dune buggy, Jeep, or anything home-built or over 1,000cc: no helmet or seat-belt law applies. Wear them anyway.
🪖 Quads and ATVs: helmet on every rider, any age. Dirt bikes: helmet required under 18.
⚠️ Tuned it past 30 mph? A machine built for 30 or under that now goes faster is treated like a side-by-side, helmet and belt rules apply.
👶 A child seat does not replace a helmet. In a side-by-side, a child in a car seat still wears one.
🪖 Any helmet the law requires must meet FMVSS 218 and carry a DOT label.
Permits
Permits & registration
No permit required
Weekly pass
Free
Season pass
No permit required.
Permit and registration details
No entrance fee. Just a green sticker or street-legal registration.
Registration
California OHV Green Sticker required for registered OHVs.
State residents
California residents: OHV must display a current Green Sticker or Red Sticker registration from the CA DMV.
Out-of-state riders
Out-of-state riders: a California Nonresident OHV Use Permit is required unless your OHV carries current registration from your home state. $30 ($31.95 online), valid from purchase through December 31 of that year.
Permit and registration rules change. Confirm current requirements with the managing agency before you ride, you are responsible for compliance.
Trip support
Fuel, food & local help
Local fuel notes (6)
Coming in on Highway 86 or S-22 to Truckhaven, the nearest stop is the Chevron at Salton City, Highway 86 at the S-22 junction — about 3.5 miles out, with food and a few supplies.
From the west on Hwy 78 it is Borrego Springs, about 17 miles.
Westmorland is about 18 miles east.
The Blu-In Cafe about 3 miles east of the Hwy 78 entrance sometimes has fuel but not reliably.
�� The Iron Door is a bar and sells NO fuel.
Most businesses out here close over the summer — fill up before you tow in.
Pump gas & diesel
Chevron — Salton CityfuelfoodGasolineDiesel
Highway 86 at the S-22 junction, Salton City — about 3.5 miles from the Truckhaven entrance · Travel center — Chevron with a ONE9 truck stop alongside it, and Taco Bell, KFC and Subway on site. Jack in the Box, a sit-down restaurant and a Dollar General are right there as well. Nearest fuel to the Truckhaven and Highway 86 entrances. Highway 86 at the S-22 junction, Salton City — about 3.5 miles from the Truckhaven entrance. Has a food court, so it is a genuine meal stop, not just a snack shelf.More
Highway 86 at the S-22 junction, Salton City — about 3.5 miles from the Truckhaven entrance · Travel center — Chevron with a ONE9 truck stop alongside it, and Taco Bell, KFC and Subway on site. Jack in the Box, a sit-down restaurant and a Dollar General are right there as well. Nearest fuel to the Truckhaven and Highway 86 entrances. Highway 86 at the S-22 junction, Salton City — about 3.5 miles from the Truckhaven entrance. Has a food court, so it is a genuine meal stop, not just a snack shelf.
Shelee’s Travel Center — CoachellafuelfoodGasolineDiesel
Highway 86 — top of the corridor, from the Coachella Valley · Travel center — gas, diesel, hot food, and room to park a rig. · 46355 Dillon Rd, Coachella, CA 92236More
Highway 86 — top of the corridor, from the Coachella Valley · Travel center — gas, diesel, hot food, and room to park a rig. · 46355 Dillon Rd, Coachella, CA 92236
Love’s Travel Stop — Ben Hulse HwyfuelGasolineDiesel
Ben Hulse Hwy — south end of the Highway 86 corridor · Highway 111 (Ben Hulse Highway) north of Brawley. This is the stop if you come down the EAST side of the Salton Sea on the 111 rather than the 86.More
Ben Hulse Hwy — south end of the Highway 86 corridor · Highway 111 (Ben Hulse Highway) north of Brawley. This is the stop if you come down the EAST side of the Salton Sea on the 111 rather than the 86.
Ben Hulse Hwy — south end of the Highway 86 corridor · Highway 111 (Ben Hulse Highway) north of Brawley, right alongside the Love’s. Usually the cheaper of the two — same stop, pick your price.More
Ben Hulse Hwy — south end of the Highway 86 corridor · Highway 111 (Ben Hulse Highway) north of Brawley, right alongside the Love’s. Usually the cheaper of the two — same stop, pick your price.
Red Earth Casino / Torres Martinez Travel Center — ThermalfuelfoodGasolineDieselRace fuel (Sunoco, at the pump)
Highway 86 — Thermal, from the Coachella Valley · Travel center and casino, open 24/7 — gas, diesel, restaurants, and Sunoco race fuel at the pump. Call ahead to confirm the grade: (760) 395-1200. · 3089 Norm Niver Rd, Thermal, CAMore
Highway 86 — Thermal, from the Coachella Valley · Travel center and casino, open 24/7 — gas, diesel, restaurants, and Sunoco race fuel at the pump. Call ahead to confirm the grade: (760) 395-1200. · 3089 Norm Niver Rd, Thermal, CA
Indio — start of the Highway 86 corridor, from the Coachella Valley · 🏁 VP Racing Fuels branded station — race fuel on the way in from the Coachella Valley. Rider-recommended. · 81485 Miles Ave, Indio, CA 92201More
Indio — start of the Highway 86 corridor, from the Coachella Valley · 🏁 VP Racing Fuels branded station — race fuel on the way in from the Coachella Valley. Rider-recommended. · 81485 Miles Ave, Indio, CA 92201
Hwy 78 — about 3 miles east. ⚠️ Fuel is NOT always available, call ahead · Hwy 78 — about 3 miles east. ⛽ Sometimes sells fuel but NOT reliably — never plan on it.More
Hwy 78 — about 3 miles east. ⚠️ Fuel is NOT always available, call ahead · Hwy 78 — about 3 miles east. ⛽ Sometimes sells fuel but NOT reliably — never plan on it.
Area information is informational only and may be inaccurate or out of date. Verify access, weather, closures, permits and hazards before and during any trip. See Terms.
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