BLM: Jawbone Station/Ridgecrest Field Office
Location: 20 miles north of Mojave in the Mojave Desert, at the southwest border of Red Rock Canyon State Park.
Highlights: steep canyon riding, some rolling hills, sandy washes, trails for all skill levels, access to the huge Jawbone-Butterbredt ACEC limited use area to the north.
Type/Size of Area: Open/7,000 acres
Vehicles Permitted: All OHVs, FWD. Trailers, RVs, and motor homes of any size can enter and find places to camp.
When Open/Fees: year-round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week/ No Fees
Best Months: October-May (very hot in summer)
Elevation: 2500 ft
Map: Friends of Jawbone OHV Riding Areas & Trails Map. Visit BLM’s Jawbone Station or Ridgecrest Field Office, or Friends of Jawbone online.
Facilities: three vault toilets, one is located on SC176 just north of its intersection with Jawbone Canyon Rd. No potable water.
Camping: there are no established campsites, but primitive camping is permitted virtually anywhere in the open area. Day use and overnight use permitted. Please use previously used sites and do not disturb vegetation. Many sites are accessible by any size rig, whether two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Camping limited to 14 days. Campfires permitted. Do not burn local vegetation or wood with nails. There are no trash receptacles in the area, so please pack out all trash.
Riding: Upon entering the riding area via Jawbone-Canyon Rd (see directions below), there will be a sandy wash on the left. The wash continues for a few miles and is fun for beginners. On the south side of the wash is a range with steep canyon trails for experienced riders. Farther down the road, the trail SC 176 intersects, offering more places to camp, a vault toilet, and access to the Jawbone-Butterbredt ACEC to the north. Northeast of this intersection are some big hill-climbs. Northwest of this intersection is Blue Point, a rocky mountain colored blue by copper. Continuing west on Jawbone Canyon Road offers more riding and camping opportunities. As the gravel road turns to a graded dirt road and leaves the open riding area, the road is still limited to street legal vehicles. Do not continue on your OHV, but feel free to explore by a four-wheel drive street legal vehicle. And the trails in the Jawbone-Butterbredt ACEC are fun to ride on, offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, and access to the Dove Springs OHV Area to the north.
Directions: from the town of Mojave, drive north on CA 14 for 20 miles. Pass the Jawbone Store. Turn left onto Jawbone Canyon Rd. You will see BLM Jawbone Station to the north and a sign at the entrance saying “Jawbone Canyon OHV Area.” The road remains paved for a couple miles before turning to gravel. Many camping and riding opportunities are located off this road. When traveling from the north, Jawbone Canyon Rd is located about 23 miles south of CA 178 West, via CA 14.
Nearest Amenities: the nearby Jawbone Store has gas and basic groceries, but is only open seasonally. Nearest full amenities are in the town of Mojave, 20 miles to the south.
Nearest Hospital: Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster, 46 miles south via CA 14. Also, Ridgecrest Regional Hospital in Ridgecrest, about 38 miles northeast via CA 14 and CA 178.
Contact:
Jawbone Station
28111 Jawbone Canyon Rd.
P.O. Box 1902
Cantil, CA 93519
Phone: 760-373-1146
Fax: 760-373-1165
Ridgecrest Field Office
300 S. Richmond Rd.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Main Contact Number: 760-384-5400
Fax Number: 760-384-5499
Also: Friends of Jawbone and BLM's Jawbone Canyon page
