More than 85,000 acres of magnificent desert are open for off-highway exploration and recreation within the boundaries portrayed on the park map are operated by California State Parks, OHMVR Division. Outside the boundaries, to the south and east, large tracts of BLM land (U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management) are also open to off-highway vehicles. The western boundary and part of the northern boundary connect with the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which is closed to off-highway recreation, but open to exploration by highway-legal vehicles along established primitive roads.
Overview Map of Chuckwalla National Monument (NM) in the BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office area in California. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=407
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocotillo_Wells,_California
More than 85,000 acres of magnificent desert are open for off-highway exploration and recreation within the boundaries portrayed on the park map are operated by California State Parks, OHMVR Division. Outside the boundaries, to the south and east, large tracts of BLM land (U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management) are also open to off-highway vehicles. The western boundary and part of the northern boundary connect with the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which is closed to off-highway recreation, but open to exploration by highway-legal vehicles along established primitive roads.
Ocotillo Wells SVRA
Visitor Guide
Your Adventure Starts Here...
Photo courtesy of Chris Davilla
Inside...
Is this your first visit
to Ocotillo Wells
SVRA or have you
been visiting for
years and lost track
of how many times
you’ve ridden the
trails of OW? In
either case, you need
to turn the page
and get ready to
experience the park
like never before!
This visitor guide is
full of info for the
rookie and desert
rat alike. As always:
stay safe, have fun,
and enjoy!
C
ongratulations! You have made a successful
getaway to Ocotillo Wells SVRA. Desert
adventurers of all ages will find guaranteed
thrills and plenty of room for relaxing here.
Use this Visitor Guide to answer almost any
question you might have about safe travel
habits and awesome destinations.You’ll also get
the scoop on action-packed exhibits and events
that the whole family will enjoy.
Photo courtesy of Nick De La Torre
Hop on your ride to explore your 85,000
acres. Challenges await any type of off-road
vehicle. Whatever your speed or ability, you’ll
find enough variety and discoveries to make
your day.
Greetings from the “Super”!
You’ll ride through territory that has been
home over five
million years
to mollusks,
walruses, jaguars,
and mammoths.
You might spot
evidence of preOHV human
lifestyles from oil
prospecting to
hippie hangouts.
Fascinating
landforms and
endless skies will
inspire you.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Perez
Find a sweet camp spot...
Your senses will sharpen as darkness falls.
You’ll notice a wild world that features geckos,
scorpions, bats, and kit foxes that are all welladapted to life with little rain.
At the end of your day, you’ll sit back and
reflect on your travels with a smile on your
face. And you’ve just scratched the surface
of this fascinating place.You’ll be back. Bring a
friend!
Garratt Aitchison, District Superintendent
On behalf of the Ocotillo Wells SVRA staff, I would like to welcome you to your playground of adventure,
recreation, and discovery. Roughly one million visitors make their way to our desert each year. While offroad vehicle recreation is the major draw to this park, you will quickly discover that this place is home to
a variety of plants and animals. In addition, we are proud to be the keepers of significant historic sites and
geologic wonders. Be sure to Tread Lightly! The stewardship of your park is appreciated.
T
Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area
Ar
op 19
Destinations
Photo courtesy of Anna Stirling
1
Pumpkin Patch
These round rocks were created long
ago when the climate was wet, then
shaped through centuries of erosion.
Sadly, the Pumpkin Patch has shrunk
over the years. Leave the “pumpkins”
here so your grandchildren can take their
grandchildren to see the “Patch.”
Photo courtesy of Shellene Manning
2
Shell Reef
About five million years ago, this desert
was covered by a sea. At the top of
Shell Reef, one can see the proof: a
five-foot thick layer of fossilized shells.
This hard “coquina” resists erosion so
well it has preserved the ridge, and a
window to the past.
Devil’s Slide
3
This ancient mountain nub was once
the site of gold prospecting. People
have reported seeing ghostly lights
here, usually at night after rare
rainstorms. Nowadays, its dark
rock face and nearby sands present a
popular challenge for a variety of OHVs.
4
Discovery Center
This is your “one-stop shop” at OW. Learn
about your desert through exhibits. Stock
up on water and maps. Get face time with
knowledgeable staff. Enjoy the accessible
nature trail, shaded picnic area, and come by
later for night programs
in the amphitheater.
5
Blowsand Hill
Strong winds have piled sand in this
notch. The finest, lightest sand
grains are deposited on the top; the
larger, heavier grains collect at the
bottom. This is the most impressive
concentration of sand at Ocotillo
Wells, and a popular, fun spot to ride.
Photo courtesy of Adam Gaeth
PAGE 2
Visitors Guide
Ocotillo Wells SVRA is committed
to the principles of Tread Lightly!
This simple, common sense
framework is an excellent way to
ensure continued access to public
lands for OHV recreation by
respecting the places we all share.
Travel Responsibly
Respect the Rights of Others
Educate Yourself
Avoid Sensitive Areas
Do Your Part
By following these guidelines, you
are helping conserve OWSVRA. For
more info, go to treadlightly.org.
Coral Wash Arch
6
This astounding arch is roughly 1.6 miles
west of Highway 86 along Coral Wash,
a wash located in the area known
as “Truckhaven.” Driving up Coral
Wash offers technical challenges and
maneuvers while winding between the
narrow walls lined with prehistoric layers.
7
Photo courtesy of Allen Seligson
Tectonic Gorge
This huge canyon and neighboring
badlands is not only a popular place
for riding. It was also the location
for the series finale of The X-Files,
but don’t count on seeing Scully or
Mulder. The filmmakers blew up the
set...then completely cleaned it up.
Tule Spring
8
Following a subterra
DESERT
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Reptil
Ocotillo Wells SVRA
&
Heber Dunes SVRA
Photo by Bruce Edley
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
Gambelia wislizenii
Photo by Bruce Edley
Desert Banded Gecko
Coleonyx variegatus variegatus
Photo by Cris Sanguino
Desert Iguana
Dipsosauras dorsalis
Photo by Bruce Edley
Common Chuckwalla
Sauromalus ater
Photo by Bruce Edley
Zebra-tailed Lizard
Callisaurus draconoides rhodostictus
Photo by Bruce Edley
Flat-tailed Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma mcallii
Photo by Bruce Edley
Southern Desert Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma platyrhinos calidiarum
Photo by Bruce Edley
Colorado Desert Fringe-toed Lizard
Uma notata
Photo by Bruce Edley
Desert Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus magister
Photo by Bruce Edley
Long-tailed Brush Lizard
Urosaurus graciosus
Photo by Bruce Edley
Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
Photo by Bruce Edley
Desert Glossy Snake
Arizona occidentalis eburnata
Photo by Bruce Edley
California Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula californiae
Photo by Bruce Edley
Great Basin Tiger Whiptail
Aspidoscelis tigris tigris
Photo by Bruce Edley
Colorado Desert Shovel-nosed Snake
Chionactis occipitalis annulata
Photo by Bruce Edley
“Red Racer” or Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum piceus
Photo by Bruce Edley
Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake
Phyllorhynchus decurtatus
Photo by Bruce Edley
Long-nosed Snake
Rhinocheilus lecontei lecontei
Photo by Bruce Edley
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox
Photo by Bruce Edley
Sonoran Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer affinis
Photo by Bruce Edley
Desert Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis hexalepis
Photo by Bruce Edley
Colorado Desert Sidewinder
Crotalus cerastes laterorepens
3/27/13
DESERT
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Ocotillo Wells SVRA
Sand Verbena, Abronia villosa
Common, in sandy soils throughout the park
Phacelia, Phacelia crenulata
Common, under shrubs in sandy, gravelly soils
Desert Heron’s Bill, Erodium texanum
Occasional, in sandy soils near Ranger Station
Desert Five-Spot, Eremalche rotundifolia
Occasional, in gravelly soils east to County Line
Spanish Needles, Palafoxia arida
Common, all areas of the park except badlands
Arizona Lupine, Lupinus arizonicus
Occasional, in most areas of the park
Orcutt’s Aster, Xylorhiza orcuttii
Common, in washes in northern area of the park
Chia, Salvia columbariae
Unusual, seen a few times near Barrel Springs
Salton Milkvetch, Astragalus crotalariae
Occasional, throughout the park
Arrow Weed, Pluchea sericea
Abundant, in washes throughout the park
White Rhatany, Krameria grayi
Occasional, in dry sandy, gravelly soils
Dyeweed, Psorothamnus emoryi
Common, throughout the park except badlands
Bristly Gilia, Langloisia setosissima
Occasional, in sandy, gravel soils in western area
Desert Ironwood, Olneya tesota
Common, in western low plains and near washes
Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis
Common, in San Felipe Creek wash
Indigo Bush, Psorothamnus schotti
Common, on slopes, benches and in washes
Spectacle Pod, Dithyrea californica
Occasional, in southern area of the park
Smoke Tree, Psorothamnus spinosa
Occasional, in washes
Apricot Mallow, Sphaeralcea ambigua
Common, in southeastern area in disturbed soils
Ocotillo, Fouquieria splendens
Common, in dry rocky soils
Catclaw, Acacia greggii
Occasional, in sandy soils in western area
Honey Mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa
Common, in sandy washes
Fourwing Saltbush, Atriplex canescens
Common, throughout the park
Frost Mat, Achyronychia cooperi
Common, in sandy areas
Ground Cherry, Physalis crassifolia
Common, in rocks at base of East Butte
Burro Bush, Ambrosia dumosa
Abundant, throughout the park
Creosote Bush, Larrea tridentata
Common, throughout the park
Blue Palo Verde, Parkinsonia florida
Common, in washes throughout the park
Chinchweed, Pectis papposa
Common, throughout the park after summer rains
Hairy Lotus, Lotus spigosus
Frequent, on flats and plains
SweetBush, Bebbia juncea
Frequent, on plains east of County Line
Brittlebush, Encelia farinosa
Occasional, in rocky soils in western area of park
Desert Sunflower, Geraea canescens
Common, throughout the park
Desert Dandelion, Malacothrix glabrata
Rare, in western area of the park
Little Gold Poppy, Eschscholzia minutiflora
Occasional, in washes and disturbed soils
Evening Primrose, Camissonia californica
Occasional, around Ranger Station
Jimson Weed, Datura wrightii
Uncommon, near Benson Dry Lake
Desert Star, Monoptilon bellioides
Fairly common, throughout the park
Rock Daisy, Perityle emoryi
Fairly common, in the western area of the park
Pebble Pincushion, Chaenactis carphoclinia
Occasional, in western alluvial and sandy areas
Desert Lily, Hesperocallis undulata
Uncommon, in sandy soils throughout the park
Brown-Eyed Primrose, Camissonia claviformis
Common, in sandy, gravelly soils
Dune Evening Primrose, Oenothera deltoides
Common, in deeper sandy washes and dunes
Ghost Flower, Mohavea confertiflora
Unusual, in sandy washes and gravelly slopes
Desert Chicory, Rafinesquia neomexicana
Common, under shrubs in sandy, gravelly soils
Popcorn Flower, Cryptantha sp.
Common, in sandy, gravelly soils
6/25/13