Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area: OHV Guide

Part of ATV and Overland Trails, our guide to ATV, OHV and overland riding in San Diego County.

Ocotillo Wells SVRA is a state off-highway park of about 85,000 desert acres at 5172 Highway 78, Borrego Springs. The park says it has no entrance or camping fees and is open 24 hours a day. ATV flags and a registered OHV are required. It is for teens and adults with OHVs.Checked October 23, 2026.

85,000acres, approximately

24/7open, per the park

$0entrance and camping, per park page

30 daysopen camping per calendar year

Two motorcyclists riding on tan eroded badland hills under a deep blue sky — Off-road riders on the badlands at Ocotillo Wells. John Lemieux, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Address5172 Highway 78, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 (Imperial and San Diego counties)

Hours24 hours a day, 7 days a week

FeesThe park page says no entrance fees and no fees for camping or day use; the state fee schedule lists camping as free. Pay showers: two quarters for 2 minutes of hot water, and the page says pricing could change.

CampingOpen camping, no reservation stated, up to 30 days per calendar year. Not permitted at Shell Reef, Devils Slide, Blowsand Hill, The Notches or the 4X4 Training areas. No water and no dump station.

Who it suitsTeens and adults with OHVs. Free ATV, ROV and dirt bike safety training is published, and the park lists an approved ATV training range. Kids: the Superintendent’s Orders list a Juvenile Curfew and Youth Track Regulations (titles only; text not read).

Official pageohv.parks.ca.gov/ocotillowells

What It Is

A state park run by the California State Parks OHMVR Division. Large BLM tracts to the south and east are also open to OHVs. The western and part of the northern boundary touch Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which is closed to off-highway recreation. Destinations the park names: Blowsand Hill, Devil’s Slide, Barrel Springs, Shell Reef, Gas Domes and Pumpkin Patch.

Flags, Speed and Registration

ATVs need an orange or red flag, and the whip must be securely mounted and extend 8 feet from the ground. Keep speed under 15 mph near campsites or groups. You need OHV registration (see OHV Rules and Permits); out-of-state riders may need the nonresident permit.

Red Sticker Season

The park page footer lists a red sticker season open October 1 to May 31 and closed June 1 to September 30. The state OHV FAQ says model years 2003 to 2021 red sticker vehicles are no longer restricted to a season as of 2025. We cannot tell which is in force today; ask the park. The Forest Service has its own season on its land.

Superintendent’s Orders

Orders dated July 1, 2025 are listed by title: Camping Closure, Campfire Restriction, Glass Beverage Container Restriction, Emergency Closure, and ATV and ROV Whip and Flag Orders, among others. We read titles only. Read the orders on the park page before you go.

What We Could Not Verify

The text of each Superintendent’s Order was not read, only titles. Ocotillo Wells SVRA can confirm.
Whether a red sticker season is enforced now is not confirmed (park page footer says October 1 to May 31; state OHV FAQ says no season since 2025). Ocotillo Wells SVRA can confirm.
The map point is taken from the park page’s own weather link, not from an address search.
Park phone numbers were not recorded here; use the official page.

FAQ

Is Ocotillo Wells free?

The park page says no entrance fees and no fees for camping or day use. Pay showers cost two quarters.

Can I ride in Anza-Borrego?

No. OHVs are prohibited in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; OHV riding is at Ocotillo Wells next door. See the Anza-Borrego page.

Sources

Checked October 23, 2026 by It’s San Diego. Cite this page: It’s San Diego (itssandiego.com), checked October 23, 2026. Free to quote with a link to this page; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.

Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area