Maps and Directions
Road Map of local area
Map Courtesy of Ed Waldheim, CORVA President.
Topo and Trail Map
Courtesy of BLM
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From LA:
State Route 14 to Palmdale Blvd in Palmdale.
East to 240th St. East.
North (about 1 mile) to El Mirage Rd.
East (about 9 miles) to the Mountain View Rd.
North (about 1 mile) to the Dry Lake bed.
From Bishop:
State Route 395 to Chamberlaine/Crippen Rd in Adelanto.
West (about 2 miles) to Koala Rd.
North (about 1 miles) to El Mirage Rd.
West (about 10 miles) to the Mountain View Rd.
North (about 1 mile) to the Dry Lake bed.
From Las Vegas or San Bernardino:
I15 to State Route 18 in Victorville
West (about 12 miles) to State Route 395
North on State Route 395 (about 10 miles) to Chamberlaine/Crippen Rd in
Adelanto.
West (about 2 miles) to Koala Rd.
North (about 1 miles) to El Mirage Rd.
West (about 10 miles) to the Mountain View Rd.
North (about 1 mile) to the Dry Lake bed.
General Info
Activities
Most visitors ride motorcycles, ATVs, or tour in four-wheel drive
vehicles. There is a road network in place so visitors may camp in most sections
of El Mirage. This area is also used extensively for competitive racing events
and commercial filming by permit.
El Mirage's unique flat lakebed is a destination for many visitors. There is
ultra-light and other aircraft activity that would not usually be found in other
riding areas.
There are several opportunities for hiking, rock scrambling, rock hounding, and
wildlife watching. El Mirage has desert tortoises, a state and federally-listed
threatened species.
Note: There are many deep mine shafts in the riding area! Please avoid these
areas and camp away from mine shafts!
Sections
El Mirage Lakebed
The lakebed is a flat playa formed in an undrained basin. Silt and clay are
deposited into this basin during periods of heavy rain. When the "lake" dries, a
hard pan dry lakebed is left.
This hard, smooth surface is ideal for the unique activities conducted at El
Mirage. These include ultra-light aircraft and gyrocopter flying, model
rocketry, remote control airplane flying, landsailing and straight track racing.
Many private pilots land on the lakebed to spend the day. The surface character
has attracted the interest of many filming companies. Several major movies have
scenes filmed here.
There is no speed limit on the open lakebed, but vehicle operators are
responsible for their own safety, OHV rules and regulations, and knowing what is
going on around them. The maximum speed limit is 15 miles per hour within 50
feet of camps and staging areas.
During permitted events, special speed limits and traffic restrictions are
posted. Please watch for these events. To maintain a smooth surface, the lakebed
is closed when wet or muddy. The California Highway Patrol, San Bernardino
County Sheriff, and BLM Rangers patrol the area to encourage safe use by
visitors.
Camping is permitted on the lakebed, but no more than 100 feet from the edge.
This keeps the smooth center section of the lakebed clear for night riders.
The Basin
The basin between the lakebed and the Shadow Mountains is covered with creosote
bush and crossed by deep dry washes. Most Off-Highway vehicle use occurs here.
Along with casual recreational riding, many OHV and motorcycle clubs stage
"runs", and competitive races. Riding is mostly over easy terrain, but
visibility can be obscured by six to ten foot tall creosote bushes. Many flat
and secluded areas for camping are in this area.
Shadow Mountains
The Shadow Mountains are a group of eroded igneous peaks bordering the northern
edge of the riding area. These mountains run through the center section and east
of the main access, Mountain View Road.
The Shadow Mountain peaks offer moderate to hard riding terrain, and are a
challenge for experienced riders. Canyons within these mountains make excellent
camping areas and offer seclusion for four-wheel drive campers. Watch for open
mine shafts in these areas.
Twin Hills
The Twin Hills area is on the east side of the riding area between the Little
Shadow Mountain group and US Highway 395. This flat basin is punctuated by small
mound-like hills and gets light riding activity. There are camping possibilities
here, but motor home campers might find driving in this area difficult.
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
EMERGENCY DIAL 911
BLM Emergency Assistance (Dispatch)
(888) 233-6518
BLM Barstow Field Office/Event Permit Information
(760) 252-6000
Filming/Photography Permit Information
(951) 890-1090
El Mirage OHV Area Recorded Information
(760) 388-4411
BLM Volunteer Program/Friends of El Mirage
(760) 252-6011
St. Mary Regional Medical Center
18300 Highway 18, Apple Valley, CA
(760) 242-2311
Victor Valley Community Hospital
15248 11 th Street, Victorville, CA
(760) 245-8691
Page updated :05/20/2008 06:51:33 PM