Johnson Valley OHV Area is a mecca for recreational offroading. Its infamous web of heartstopping trails are some of the most hardcore in the world. What makes the area so popular is its diversity of difficulty, which offers trails for every skill level and every OHV type. From punishing rock crawling to casual trail riding to high-speed desert running, Johnson Valley has it all.
It might be most well known for the extreme rock crawling found in the mountainous area known as the "Hammers." But, for those in stock or lightly modified 4X4s, Johnson Valley is also home to plenty of intermediate and novice trails. Then, adding to the variety, miles of open desert roads surrounding the Hammers are perfect for those with a need for speed.
Johnson Valley OHV Area is shared land between BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and the adjacent Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center of Twentynine Palms. Its history of rock crawling goes back to the early 1990s, when some of its most iconic trails, including Sledgehammer, Jackhammer, and Aftershock, were broken. Then, in 2007, the yearly King of the Hammers competition was founded, which exponentially grew Johnson Valley's popularity.
The harsh desert landscape brings with it extreme summer heat that consistently exceeds 100-degrees. It's not uncommon to see temperatures reaching 120-degrees in the mid to late summer months. High winds are also commonplace and overnight temperatures can dip below freezing in the winter, so keep these factors in mind when planning your trip out to Johnson Valley OHV Area.
This technical rock crawling trail, known as Dorito Hill, is located in southern California's Cougar Buttes, a small section of the Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area in San Bernardino County. Dorito Hill, while short, is one of the difficult 4x4 sections here in Cougar Buttes. Wheelers looking for an off-road challenge will enjoy running up and over Dorito Hill as a quick warm-up before hitting Hammer Down or Split Finger. Off-roaders looking for an easier day might want to stay off this trail. Still, they will find many easier trails and multiple dispersed camping opportunities in the surrounding area of Cougar Buttes.
If you want insanely hard, then the Hammer Trails are for you. A collection of large boulders, massive ledges, towering waterfalls, and spots you just have to drag through. This trail is going to make you work for it. This trail is only for the highly experienced with a well-built rig and strong roll cage. Do not attempt this trail alone and do not attempt this trail unless you have recovery gear, spare parts, and a group of at least 3 vehicles.
One of the big names in Johnson Valley, Upper Johnson Canyon aka Big Johnson is one of the few intermediate trails in the Johnson Valley range. Because of its location in Southern California near Los Angeles and Orange County, these trails see a lot of traffic for the people that are not looking for the extreme trails of the legendary King of the Hammers area. This awesome but short trail has plenty of optional hard obstacles for the more extreme person while plenty of easier options for the newer drivers that want to get out and test out their vehicle. Run this as part of Lower Johnson and this can make for a good hour or two run for a group of friends looking to do something different. So the next time you hear Johnson Valley, don't think this is too extreme for me, instead head out to the Johnson Trails and have a little fun.
What might be a Nightmare for some, the legendary rock crawling trail in Johnson Valley known as Nightmare is a tough rock crawling trail. Full of rocks about 3-feet around, this trail is going to test any off-roader that is looking to push his vehicle to the max. Did we forget to mention a 7-foot waterfall? Now what really gets offroaders crying isn't the rocks but how narrow the canyon is which if one mistake happens, you will end up in the side of the canyon wall or into a large boulder that is just happy to rip off a quarter pannel to give you jeep or Toyota its first body damage. So if you are heading up Claw Hammer, and want to continue the fun, check out Nightmare in Johnson Valley California, and see what your rig can do.
One of the many historic Johnson Valley Trails in California, Boulder Dash was one of the original rock crawling trails of the area. Full of moderate to large size rocks and plenty of optional hard lines, there is no reason why people wouldn't find this trail fun and exciting. Because of the makeup of this trail, it is a great crossover trail for the people looking to move from overlanding and dirt roads to rock crawling. The trail is full of challenging obstacles that are not required but allow you to test your skills and vehicle. So if you are in the area, looking for something new to try, you should stop by and give the old Boulder Dash trail a try.
Short Bus, a short cut in Johnson Valley is a quick way to cut over the hill if you are traveling over to Backdoor. The hill is mild with only a couple little obstacles that short wheelbase vehicles could avoid.
If you are out looking for a "short-cut" in Johnson Valley and wanting something different, check out Fielders Choice which may be a short cut by distance, but not by time. This cool little cut over path takes you over the mountains from Hammers Bi-Way to Claw Hammer. The trail does have a couple of obstacles that will give most people a challenge but nothing too hard that requires an overbuilt vehicle. If you are in the area and just want to do something different, check out Fielders Choice
If the lower part of Sledge Hammer wasn't enough, don't worry. 3rd Canyon is a continuation of Sledge Hammer that can give you a little more fun before heading down the mountain. This exciting little trail is a blast if you still have more time in the day. The only downside, if you want to call it that, is you have to run Sledgehammer first. If you are in Johnson Valley California and want a little more fun after you just got done running Sledgehammer, check out 3rd Canyon.
Means Dry Lake is a broad, hard-packed lakebed located in the Johnson Valley OHV Area of Southern California’s Mojave Desert. It serves as a central hub for offroad recreation and provides direct access to iconic trails like Jackhammer, Sledgehammer, and Claw Hammer, as well as milder desert routes for casual riders. The terrain is flat and firm, making it suitable for dispersed camping, staging, and large gatherings.
Best known as the site of the annual King of the Hammers event, when the area becomes a bustling temporary city, Means Dry Lake is otherwise quiet and open, offering scenic desert views, dramatic sunsets, and exceptional stargazing. The area has no services, so visitors must be self-sufficient. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for deeper trail exploration, but the lakebed itself is accessible to most vehicles. Camping is primitive but widespread, with ample space for RVs and trailers.
If roughing it isn't your thing, check out the many options in Yucca Valley, which include hotels and other housing options.
A popular gathering spot doing King Of The Hammers, Front Door aka as Comp Hill also the Shoot-Out Challenge from 2019 and is one hard hill climb. Full of large ledges and rocks, this hill climb is likely to spit out the less equipped vehicles in just the first few feet. With near-vertical climbs in spots that are already at the tip-over point, there is no question why this intense off-road hill climb made the shootout challenge. Be ready, rollovers are common at this one. This hill climb is only for the most experienced drivers and built rigs with good cages. Nothing less should attempt this hill climb.
Spooners, a Johnson Valley trail named after a couple of guys who got stuck on the trail and had to spoon to survive overnight cold temperatures, is one of the original Johnson Valley rock crawling trails. Located near Outerlimits, this nearly 3-mile long trail is one of the furthest trails from Means Dry Lake and is positioned directly against the military boundary on its northern end. With large boulders over 4 feet round, waterfalls over 5 feet tall, and a difficult S-Turn obstacle that can quickly end your day with one wrong move, Spooners is a trail only for the bravest and built. This trail is best suited for modified vehicles with lifts, larger tires, skid plate protection, and locking differentials. Body damage and mechanical failure are likely.
Even though the trail got its name from two guys camping on it, users should be aware that this trail does not offer any suitable camping options.
Located in Johnson Valley, JV4207 starts at Highway 247 to reach into the Johnson Valley OHV Area, eventually reaching the edge of Soggy Dry Lake. It travels over the flat desert until reaching a set of rugged hills at the trail's end. The Johnson Valley Shared Use Area will occasionally be off-limits due to military usage, and those borders and off-limit periods can be found on the Johnson Valley OHV website.
Several dispersed campsites are located in the hills at the end of the trail and along the edge of Soggy Dry Lake and can be used when following the Bureau of Land Management Camping Guidelines. Campfires are generally prohibited, and the camper must know the current Bureau of Land Management Campfire Restrictions.
The hills near the trail's end are the only driving challenge due to their ruggedness, steepness, and off-camber cut during the descent, requiring a high clearance four-wheel drive vehicle.
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