Riding in the Mojave National Preserve
The Mojave National Preserve can look like endless open desert, but that does not mean you can ride an ATV or UTV wherever you see sand. Travel is limited to designated routes, and remote conditions can turn a casual outing into a difficult recovery. This guide explains how to plan a legal, safer ride and what to check before you leave.
Know where ATV and UTV riding is allowed
Stay on designated roads and routes
Mojave National Preserve is not an open riding area where you can roam cross-country. Keep your machine on routes that are designated as open to your vehicle, and follow posted closures and signs. A visible track in the sand is not proof that it is legal to use; it may be an unauthorized route or one that is closed to protect sensitive habitat.
That distinction matters especially in washes and around dunes. It can be tempting to leave a road to get around a rough patch or explore a scenic area, but driving off designated routes can damage fragile desert soil and vegetation. Before heading out, check the National Park Service’s official preserve map and current route information. If the map or signs do not clearly show that your vehicle may use a route, don’t assume it is open.
A helpful starting point for comparing destinations is Where to Ride an OHV in California. The preserve offers a very different experience from a dedicated riding area such as California’s State Vehicular Recreation Areas: its roads pass through a large, remote landscape, but it is not set up as a broad ATV trail network.
Confirm your vehicle can use the route
Not every road that appears on a map is suitable for every vehicle. Some preserve roads are paved or graded, while others can be rough, sandy, rocky, or affected by weather. A route suitable for a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle may not be suitable for a small ATV or a loaded side-by-side. Likewise, a route that looks straightforward on a screen may include long stretches without an easy turnaround.
Check the current rules for the specific route and vehicle class before driving out. If you are riding an ATV or UTV that is not street legal, do not assume it can travel on every public road in the preserve simply because that road is unpaved. California registration and identification requirements can depend on the machine and where it is operated. For vehicle-specific background, see California OHV Registration for a Dirt Bike or California OHV Registration for a UTV, then verify what applies to your planned route.
The safest planning rule is simple: identify the route, confirm that it is open to your type of vehicle, and match its conditions to your machine and experience. If you cannot confirm all three, choose a different outing.
Plan a route that fits your ride
Treat the Mojave Road as a serious backcountry trip
The historic Mojave Road is a well-known route through the desert, but it should not be treated like a short loop near a town. Conditions can be rough and remote, and parts of a long crossing may require careful preparation, suitable equipment, navigation skills, and a realistic recovery plan. A route’s popularity does not guarantee that it is easy, open, or appropriate for your vehicle on the day you arrive.
Before planning around the Mojave Road, check current access information, closures, and route conditions. Decide whether your vehicle is suited to the entire trip you intend to make, not just the first accessible section. If you are new to desert riding, consider a shorter route with an uncomplicated return rather than committing to a long crossing because it looks manageable on a map.
Also plan for the possibility that the trip will take longer than expected. Soft sand, washouts, mechanical trouble, or a navigation mistake can change a day trip into a demanding situation. Tell someone where you plan to go, when you expect to return, and what they should do if they do not hear from you.
Use maps as planning tools, not permission
A map app can help you understand distances, junctions, and alternate routes. Some riders use onX Offroad to review route options before leaving home, especially when they want to compare a planned track with the surrounding road network. But an app should not replace official preserve information. A line shown on a map is not necessarily open to your vehicle, and digital maps may not reflect a recent closure or a sign you encounter on the ground.
Check an official map first, then use a navigation tool to help follow the route you have confirmed. Download or save the information you will need before you enter a remote area; cellular service may be weak or unavailable. For broader advice on choosing and preparing maps, see California Trail Maps and Where to Get Them.
If you use onX Offroad, study the route before your trip and mark key junctions, turnaround points, and places where you may need to reassess conditions. Keep a second navigation option available, such as a paper map or another offline-capable device. A phone that loses signal, runs out of battery, or overheats should not leave you without a way to find your way back.
| Planning question | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Is the route open? | Official preserve map, current notices, and signs at the route | A map line or tire track alone does not establish legal access |
| Can my machine use it? | Vehicle-class restrictions, surface, width, clearance, and turnaround options | A road can be open but unsuitable for your ATV or UTV |
| Can I navigate offline? | Downloaded maps, saved route notes, and a backup navigation method | Cell coverage may be unreliable in remote areas |
| Can I finish safely? | Fuel, water, daylight, weather, communication, and recovery plan | Distance and rough conditions can make a short-looking trip take much longer |
Prepare for desert conditions and emergencies
Plan for heat, distance, and limited services
The desert can be hard on people and machines. Heat, wind, dust, rough surfaces, and long distances between services all affect how a ride feels. Carry more drinking water than you think you will need, protect yourself from sun and dust, and avoid planning a route that depends on reaching a store or fuel stop inside the preserve. Check where you can refuel before you enter, and begin with enough fuel for the route and a reasonable margin.
Your machine also needs a pre-ride check. Look over tires, wheels, brakes, lights, belts or chains, and the fuel system. Bring basic tools and supplies suited to your vehicle, along with a way to handle common problems such as a flat tire. If you are traveling with a group, agree on a pace and regrouping points before anyone rides ahead. A faster rider disappearing around a bend can leave others unsure whether to continue or stop.
Weather can change the experience quickly. Wind may reduce visibility, while rain can make some routes difficult or unsafe. Check conditions before departure and be willing to shorten or cancel the ride. For more practical preparation ideas, read California Desert Riding Safety and California Trail Closures to Check First.
Make a recovery and communication plan
In a remote area, getting stuck is not just an inconvenience. A machine bogged down in soft sand or stopped by a mechanical issue can leave riders exposed to heat and a long walk. Avoid riding alone when possible, and make sure your group understands what to do if a vehicle becomes disabled. A basic plan should cover who stays with the machine, who communicates for help, and how the group will avoid becoming separated.
Do not count on a phone call going through. Tell a reliable person your route and expected return time, and consider a communication device that does not depend on ordinary cellular coverage. Carry enough supplies to wait safely if assistance takes time. If conditions are worse than expected, turning around early is a sound decision, not a failed trip.
Washes deserve particular caution. They can appear to offer an easy way through the landscape, but they may be subject to access restrictions and can change with storms or erosion. Stay on the designated route rather than following a wash simply because it looks passable. Riding a Wash in California explains why these features deserve more care than they may seem to require.
Check rules and access before you leave
Verify registration and riding requirements
Before riding, confirm that your machine has the required California identification or registration for the places and routes you plan to use. Requirements can differ by vehicle type and operating situation, so do not rely on a sticker, plate, or permit that was valid for a different location or use. Keep required paperwork with you and make sure anyone else operating the machine understands the rules.
If you are visiting from outside California, check whether your existing registration or permit is accepted for your intended use. If the machine is rented or belongs to someone else, ask who is responsible for confirming its documents and route permissions. For a wider explanation of visitor requirements, see [California OHV Permits Explained].
Recheck the route on the day of the ride
A plan made at home is only a starting point. Before you set out, check for current closures and notices, then read signs at the route entrance. Conditions and access can change, and a route that was open on a previous trip may not be open now. Do not go around a gate, barrier, or closure sign, even if the road beyond it appears easy to travel.
Use onX Offroad or another navigation app to stay oriented on the route you have already confirmed, not to decide that an unmarked track is fair game. Keep the official map available, watch for signs, and turn back if the route is closed, damaged, or beyond your group’s ability. A little extra checking can prevent an exhausting ride, a difficult recovery, or an avoidable violation.
For many riders, the best Mojave National Preserve trip is not the longest one. It is the one that matches the machine, stays on an approved route, and leaves enough time and supplies for the desert to be the desert.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
