Barstow Field Office

Rasor Off-Highway Vehicle Area

Rasor OHV AreaThis is an exciting and more remote area for the off-highway vehicle user.  Rasor has rolling hills, open valleys, and sand dunes that invite riders willing to travel through this remote area. Elevations range from near 2,427 feet elevation down to around 1,275 feet elevation at the Mojave River.

Besides the remote nature of the area, another attraction is the historic Mojave Road which runs through the riding area into the newly designated Mojave National Preserve (street-legal vehicles only in the Preserve). Vegetation consists of creosote scrub, some annual grasses and wild flowers.

Access:
The riding area is located between Interstate 15 and the Mojave National Preserve, about 25 miles southwest of Baker . Access roads are Basin Road and Rasor Road east of the I-15. Both of these roads are graded dirt roads.

Activities:
Most visitors ride motorcycles or ATVs, drive sand rails or tour the area in four-wheel drive vehicles. The easily accessed areas off the Rasor Road exit are used extensively for OHV and sand rail staging and play. Due to the remoteness of the area, there have been no requests for competitive event permits, leaving this area exclusively for casual riders.

The north boundary of the Rasor Off-Highway Vehicle Area is bounded by steep rugged rocky hill masses which are somewhat difficult for casual riders but are the destination for the experienced rider. The central portion of the area has many varieties of desert vegetation and is crossed by many trails that run through washes and over some rough terrain making for a moderate challenging riding experience.  There are also several unimproved roads and trails that provide good opportunities for beginner riders

The southern portion of the area consists of areas with deep sand and dune fields.  This provides a unique riding experience to riders who normally do not ride in dunes and is a challenge for novice to intermediate riders.

 

There are many opportunities for hiking, rock scrambling, rock hounding, and plant, bird and wildlife watching. There are desert tortoise, a state and federally listed threatened species, in the riding area.

NOTE: There are many deep mine shafts in the riding area! Travel outside the riding area is only on designated routes with street legal vehicles. Extremes of heat and cold are likely in this area! Rescue in the area is not immediate! Be careful and enjoy the remote and quiet nature of the area.

 

Rules and Regulations:  Camping is allowed anywhere within the riding area that does not block travel on a road. Camping is limited to a 14 day stay.

  • Draining of holding tanks, littering and trash dumping is prohibited. Pack It In, Pack It Out!
  • All vehicles must have a muffler or spark arrester and have either a street-legal license or be registered as an off-highway vehicle.
  • Vehicles being operated at night must have head and tail lights.
  • Helmets are required on all ATVs! Also, there are no passengers allowed on ATVs.
  • SHOTGUN SHOOTING ONLY IN THE RASOR OHV AREA! No pistol or rifle shooting allowed!
  • Digging up or destroying trees and shrubs or harassing wildlife or livestock is prohibited.
  • The desert tortoise is a federally protected species. Please do not handle or disturb these animals; Look but don't Touch!
  • It is illegal to damage or destroy archeological sites or remove artifacts.
  • Possession or use of any glass container, empty or not, used for carrying any liquid for drinking purposes is prohibited (43 CFR 8361.1-6).

Review the 2010 Grants for the Barstow Field Office:   www.ohv.parks.ca.gov