California should be called the “jam-packed state” because it’s the land of never-ending things to do. It’s where the mountains meet the sea, and everywhere in between is a landscape made for outdoor adventures.
If you’re truly adventurous and looking for an extreme sport experience, you should consider checking out the dirt bike tracks in California. Dirt bike beginners, experts, and enthusiasts alike come from all over the world to see and ride these tracks and trails.
So, get your bike ready and hit these tracks and trails.
The Best Dirt Bike Tracks in California
Nearly every season in this great big state provides the perfect whether for dirt bike riding. Locals and tourists, beginners and experts, and everyone else can come to these tracks and trails and learn new tricks. No matter your level of expertise, you’ll either find yourself wanting to just get lost in nature out here or making a new group of friends to ride with.
All you’ll need for these tracks and trails is a dirt bike, the right gear, enthusiasm, and the proper permits if required. Also, health insurance doesn’t hurt to have—it is an extreme sport after all.
Now without further adieu, we give you some of the best tracks and trails that dirt biking in California has to offer:
The Mojave Desert
Located in Southern California, nestled between Death Valley and the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains, the Mojave Desert is the sandiest gem within the United States.
If you’re living or staying in Southern California, the Mojave Desert makes for a great day trip adventure. You can rent bikes and tour with the Coyote Trail Adventures if you’re new to the sport. Be sure to back the necessities, i.e., food, water, fuel, and a camera.
The Stonyford Recreational Center
The Stonyford dirt bike trails can be found in the Mendocino National Forest of the Northwestern California Coastal Mountain Range. Here you’ll find tons of different trails that are marked and rated to match different experience levels.
There are plenty of places to stop and rest as well as discover. Keep in mind that the dirt bike trails here are CLEARLY marked. If you wander off the trails onto private territory you could face a hefty fine.
Competitive Edge MX Park
If you’re looking for some competition you’ll want to venture out to San Bernadino. More specifically, Hesperia, to the Competitive Edge MX Park. The park has five different perfectly groomed motocross tracks. There’s even a PeeWee track for kids eight and under.
You can learn to ride yourself or sit back and enjoy amateur and professional dirt biking competitions.
The Perris Raceway
The Perris Raceway in Perris, California has beautifully maintained tracks that are equipped with night lighting for amateur dirt bike practice. There are also professional courses and plenty of jumps for the tricksters. You can watch a professional race here or join in for fun.
Carnegie SVRA
Located in the hills of Alameda, the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreational Area offers absolutely stunning views that surround the trails here. With about 1,300 acres to ride, you’ll find a whole range of terrain to test your skills.
This would include rolling hills, dry and rocky trails, and rugged canyons with enough steepness to give you the adrenaline rush you’re asking for.
The Ocotillo Wells
The Ocotillo Wells have been bursting with off-road adventures since the 1950s. This place has also been a part of Hollywood movie scenery for just as long. This area employs over 85,000 acres of OHV trails in Northern California. Included within these acres is the infamous Blow Sandhill, which was molded by a tremendous sand storm.
You’ll also find natural hot springs here, as well as what is known as “the pumpkin patch”—which is a field of sandstone concretions reflecting the name.
Miller Canyon
Also located in the San Bernadino Valley, Miller Canyon offers gorgeous trails right on Lake Silverwood. Those trails disappear into pine trees and mountain peaks. The entire park is maintained by Rangers, which means that there are even pit stops for rest and pit toilets.
There are plenty of marked trails as well as a staging area, fulfilling the needs of every level dirt biker out there. The best time to go is during the Summer season as trails tend to get a bit snowy in the winter.
Mammouth Mountain
Mammouth California isn’t just home to snowfall and winter sports. In the summertime, this town offers some truly epic off-road trails. Dirt bike riders of all levels can enjoy the Jeffrey Pine Forest, the San Joaquin Ridge, and Deadman’s Creek.
You’ll also find the Mammoth Motocross Park here, where you can enjoy professional and amateur events.
Dove Springs
Dove Springs is the official name of this canyon, but riders also referred to it as Jawbone after the general store there. The canyon is a popular spot for both off-roading and camping, offering a variety of different trails to accommodate kids, families, intermediate and advanced levels.
Calico
Calico aka the Calico Ghost Town is a former silver-mining town. Located off of Interstate 15, this area boasts rainbow-colored dirt roads and red mountains off in the distance. Many riders come here to find trails among the old mines, which have gained this town its historical status.
You can also camp here, shop, go on mine tours, dine, climb mud hills in your OHV, and more.
Kennedy Meadows
Kennedy Meadows is quite a famous place. It’s the starting point for the Pacific Coast Highway hiking trail as well is its OHV river crossings. Unlike most of the dirt bike trails in Southern California, Kennedy Meadows offers grassy and floral trails—which is a nice break if you’ve been biking in the desert most of the time.
The area accommodates all levels of riders, especially group and family riders. When the day is done, the Kennedy Meadows general store screens outdoor films on the weekends for even more enjoyment.
4080MX Park
Their slogan is “built by riders for riders”, and it couldn’t be any truer. The 4080MX park is located right in San Jose, and they’re constantly changing their layout so each visit brings something new to the park’s riders. The dirt bike trails accommodate everyone from beginners to experts.
Lake Elsinore MX Park
Lake Elsinore MX park is actually one of the biggest and most famous motocross parks in the world. Riders from all over the world gather here to ride their professionally maintained tracks.
There are nine tracks overall here, ranging in difficulty levels. There are even PeeWee tracks for the little guys and gals. Before you visit, make sure you’ve signed up and paid your membership fees.
Glen Helen Raceway Park
Located right of off the famous Route 66, the Glen Helen Raceway Park is a great track for riders to put themselves to the test. The entire track is up against hills, creating a lot of elevation for uphills and tabletops as well as nice sandy surfaces.
The park also hosts races weekly, including the Glen Helen National and Grand Prix events.
L.A. County Raceway
Located in Palmdale, the L.A. County Raceway is a great experience for riders who have the need for speed and a good challenge. Here you’ll experience some interesting elevation changes, sandy tracks, steep pit sides, and fun jumps.
There’s a $30 entrance fee to this park and it’s packed with concession stands for food and drinks, on-site EMTs, and they even have a bike wash area.
Fox Raceway
Previously named the Pala Raceway, this dirt bike part features full-sized MX tracks for every level of riders you can think of. This includes a PeeWee track for the baby riders.
Riders from all over come to this park to experience their awesome tracks and what is considered to be the best dirt in all of Southern California. This includes some of the top professional riders known to the sport. The park is also expanding and changing, so riders will never experience the same thing twice here.
Cahuilla Creek
Cahuilla Creek is another must-visit dirt motocross park in Southern California. This park has awesome rolling hills and decomposed granite soil that makes for natural terrain. The tracks here are less technical and more tough, so your suspensions will definitely be put to the test.
Cahuilla Creek is favored among locals and tourists alike and can accommodate any level of rider. Located off of Highway 371, the motocross park is a bit of a drive from anywhere, but it’s well worth the trip just to ride those natural-terrain style tracks.
Don’t Forget Your Helmet
There is an endless amount of dirt bike tracks in California as well as unknown trails just waiting to be traversed. If dirt biking and extreme sports aren’t really your thing, it’s still worth the trip as a spectator, especially in the towns with the most history.
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