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.
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