Although many think the desert is the perfect place to ride their off-highway vehicles into the sunset, there are many laws governing where OHVs can be ridden. With some important reminders about land-use issues and off-highway vehicles in the Morongo Basin, here is Sheriff’s Service Specialist Anita Baker…
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department would like to remind OHV enthusiasts of some land-use issues regarding OHV use in the Morongo Basin. The majority of land within the Morongo Basin is either public land supervised by the BLM or privately owned. It is the responsibility of the rider to obtain written permission from the land owner and have it in their possession when riding on private property. Fines for riding on private property without permission range from $100 to $1000 for subsequent violations within three years. There is no cross-country riding in the Morongo Basin. Sunfair Dry Lake is located in Joshua Tree and is designated as a limited use area managed by BLM. Vehicles must stay on existing designated trails and respect all private property and no trespassing signs. Johnson Valley OHV Park is located north of Yucca Valley and is an open area, specifically set aside for cross-country travel. OHV enthusiasts are encouraged to use Johnson Valley OHV Park for all OHV recreation.
