This Remote State Park In Southern California Is The Perfect Place For An Adventure
By Natasha Kayes|Published August 24, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
Southern California state parks and recreation areas offer a vast and diverse range of landscapes, including mountains, forests, beaches, islands, lagoons, caves, deserts, and more. Whether you want to stay close to home or venture off the beaten path, and no matter what kind of natural features and outdoor activities you enjoy, there is a state park worth exploring. I am personally drawn to beaches and lakes, but there is something fascinating about the desert, too. For anyone that wants to explore the California desert and have a little off-roading adventure, this remote park in Borrego Springs, CA, is worth the drive.
Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation Area (SVRA) is located along State Route 78 in the Borrego Springs desert community of the same name.
This family-friendly park has trails and terrain for all levels of adventurers and types of off-roading vehicles, from dirt bikes to 4-wheel-drive SUVs. There are low and gentle paths, fun hills, and steep jumps. You choose your adventure!
The ranger station is a great place to start your adventure. Here you can get a map of the area, great tips and advice from the ranger, and even fun learning experiences for beginners and kids.
Ready for adventure but don’t have your own equipment? No problem! Many people rent ATVs, Quads or Motorbikes, including related supplies and equipment, to get out and explore the rugged desert terrain and sand dunes.
You will find several distinct areas to explore throughout the park like Blowsand, one of the more popular areas, Main Street, Devils Slide, Shell Reef (an estimated 4-million-year-old ocean reef that was pushed up via seismic action), Holmes Camp, Pole Line Road, etc.
In addition to sand dunes and cool rock formations, a number of bubbling mud pools give this place an otherworldly, almost prehistoric feel. You would never know you were less than an hour from forested mountains!
The desert is also a wonderful place to see unique wildlife like flat-tailed horned lizards, desert iguanas, long-nosed leopard lizards, kangaroo rats, coyotes, desert foxes, and more.
There are a variety of camping options, depending on how much you like to rough it. There are campsites with services such as vault restrooms and pay showers. If you have an RV (or rent one from RV Share), you can take advantage of open camping areas throughout the park. Keep in mind you will need to fill water tanks and dispose of waste outside the park.
Ocotillo Wells is a fantastic rugged playground for off-roading enthusiasts of any age. Before you head out, make sure you have everything you need (proper gear, flags, etc.) to play safely and stay visible.
This park is in the middle of the desert, so there is virtually no shade, and summer months get very hot, so it is important to bring plenty of sunscreen, water, etc. Do you love off-roading adventures? Have you ever explored Ocotillo Wells SVRA in Borrego Springs? We would love to hear your thoughts and experiences, as well as any tips and recommendations you have to share! Find park information, including conditions, warnings and closures, tips and safety recommendations, and more by following Ocotillo Wells SVRA on Facebook. Looking for more places to explore? Check out more of our favorite outdoor activities and nature adventures in SoCal.
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