SOS - Johnson Valley

full-limited Icon
5/5 (9 reviews)
Yucca Valley, California (San Bernardino County)
Last Updated: 11/27/2023
Trail Types
Scout Route
Full Trail Guide

Preview Trail Icon
Preview Trails
easy
moderate
difficult
severe
extreme

Limited Trail Icon
Upgrade to Unlock
Limited Access/All-Access
Scout Route
Start a 7-day Free Trial

Trail Information

Highlights

SOS is an insane and extreme rock crawling trail that will put any 4x4 or buggy to its test. Whether you are a Toyota, a 2 door Jeep Wrangler, a 4 Door JKU person, or a tube buggy. SOS will make even the most extreme hardcore off-road enthusiast think twice in the first few feet of the trail. Body damage, driveline failure, bad days, but great memories are all likely to be found on this trail. The next time you decide to have an adventure in the home of The King Of The Hammers in Johnson Valley, California, take a trip to the southwest of Means Dry Lake and check out one of the most insane but epic 4x4 trails in Southern California. If you are interested in taking over this trail review, please sign up to be a contributor at TrailsOffroad.com and become part of the team.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

5/5 (9)
User Avatar
Official Crew
inline-aa Icon
130500
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 11/27/2023

Spend more time on part of this trail then probably any other trail out there. Hard trail and always providing a serious challenge.
Trail Review: SOS - Johnson Valley - Josh Noesser
Trail Review: SOS - Johnson Valley - Josh Noesser
User Avatar
Official Crew
inline-aa Icon
130500
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 11/29/2021

Ran the lower than off to other trails in the area.
User Avatar
Official Crew
inline-aa Icon
130500
Open
Visited: 11/01/2021

The military closure is now over. The next ones are • April 26 - May 9, 2022 • October 18 - November 1, 2022
User Avatar
Official Crew
inline-aa Icon
130500
Temporary Closure
Visited: 10/22/2021

The area is closed for military use to Nov 1 2021 https://www.29palms.marines.mil/Staff-Offices/Government-and-External-Affairs/Johnson-Valley/#:~:text=The%20Johnson%20Valley%20Shared%20Use,military%20training%20in%20the%20area.&text=Once%20cleared%20for%20public%20use,Land%20Management%20for%20public%20recreation.
User Avatar
Official Crew
inline-aa Icon
130500
Temporary Closure
Visited: 04/27/2021

This is the weekend for Military use... Make other plans if you are going to be in the shared use area https://www.29palms.marines.mil/Staff-Offices/Government-and-External-Affairs/Johnson-Valley/fbclid/IwAR1P9xPv9BFcI9_RKJwPoHIlYTZCVZ70xbytUkGJjlQ83Za02vLDud2Px5M/

From the Community

Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail guide
Start Free Trial