So you’re looking to find some trails in which to ride your dirt bike. Frontaer has you covered with legal Australian tracks.
We have built numerous state by state guides to help you get out there and explore our own country. No one else was really doing this properly for the local riding community, so we stepped in and volunteer hundreds of hours to the cause.
Dirt Bike Tracks Australia-Wide
While the greenies keep trying to shutdown riding areas to protect the endangered tadpoles, luckily there are numerous options. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Victorian High Country are highly regarded as epic places to go riding for free.
Likewise, there are some good private riding parks around that are still open, despite the rising insurance premiums. It’s a damn good time to be alive and get out there, especially with 250’s and 450’s being readiliy available.
When we started out riding many moons ago, it was hard to know actually where you could legally take a dirt bike in Australia. Some sites were owned by people who didn’t even live in Australia. Frontaer is run by Frontaer Pty Ltd. What does that mean? We’re a real Australian company. Yeah mate! 😃
And so, we want to help you by finding some epic places to let that throttle loose and get that back tyre spinning. Not the motocross tracks so much. Yes, we love racing and enduro especially, but we wanted national forests and government crown land with fire tracks. Essentially, free riding areas that the local councils and let us ride in without the hassle of the police chasing us down.
We always wanted to know what riding parks were available too just in case we had a few bucks spare in the bank account to pay the entrance fees. Plus a few hours spare to haul there and back. You’ll notice that many of those pay + play + camp spots are just hours and hours outside of our capital cities. Politics man!
The State by State Guide
It’s been 100+ hours putting this all together for everyone. We don’t even accept donations here at Frontaer. We simply want you to have a good time out there on the dirt trails. We’d appreciate some help if we’ve missed riding areas in any of these guys. Just give us a holla.
Likewise, we’d appreciate it if you could share this on your Facebook profiles and groups. This really helps others to know where they could be riding and places they’ve been missing out on recently.
How do you get the guides? Click on the city name and you’ll be taken to an individual city/state guide for your hometown. Check out the other states too if you’re ever over for a holiday.
Queensland is the home of dirt bikes nationally and just about everything else for outdoor enthusiasts. Even in winter, the weather is mild and it hardly rains too. What does this mean? Sunny weekends paired with cool politicians that still let us riding close to the city. Note that we created seperate riding area guides for the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast too. Toowoomba/Ipswich are included in our Brisbane list.
While very well known as the nanny state of Australia, Victoria surprisingly has dozens of places to ride a dirt bike. Many of these spots are near Melbourne too with day-trips relatively easy. Get there early (8am) and with an extra jerry can, you can ride all day and load up late in the afternoon with a Maccas run on the way home.
Adelaide is the nanny city with too many churches and not enough places to ride dirt bikes. You’ve essentially gotta haul up and go 2 hours out of town and away from the bereaucrats. From here, you’ll find yourself some freedom up the Riverland way, down near Coorong or out towards the Flinders Ranges and beyond.
The rich property devleopers of Sydney have bought up tracks of land that we used to ride on, but not all of ’em just yet. You’d think they would have enough money already, right? Sydney does have some good tracks though most of these are private riding areas. Just like Adelaide, you’ll have to haul up and drive for a couple of hours to find anything decent.
Perth isn’t backwards. In fact, they’re very much forward-thinking when it comes to dirt bikes. Must be the huge FIFO crowd that needs to let off some steam on their days off. There are numerous places to ride in Perth though most of these are private riding parks where you have to pay an entrance fee. There has been some community involvement recently and they’ve opened up some free riding areas too.
We created a seperate guide for Northern NSW because Lismore, Byron and Coffs Harbour do have some really pristine country to ride dirt bikes. Most of these spots are private areas (pay to play) though there are some 4×4 tracks to run down if your dirt bike is legal. The good thing about this region is the laid back nature of people and you can ride on the beach in some spots.
Yep – we haven’t forgotten about Darwin. Surprisingly, there isn’t much in the city centre where you can ride a dirt bike unless you count the motocross track. You’ve gotta haul up and head at least an hour out of town to find anything decent. Certainly, it’s an adventure riding heaven with dual-sporters always dropping in on their 2-wheel trip around Australia.
Who could forget the nation’s capital? We’ve certainly thought about Canberra and certainly there aren’t that many trails around the city. You’ve gotta get a couple of hours out of town and you’ll find some good yet gnarly tracks around. The best part is that the tracks are pretty well quite in the winter months and you might even see some snow.
Closing off this list is Cairns which has some great dirt bike riding tracks, but most importantly, the freedom that we’re all chasing. If the southern states could learn a thing or two, it’s that riding areas need to stay open for tourism. We can’t let the greenies take over everything, right? Let’s not forget about Mackay or Townsville either.
Riding It Out
There you have it! Some epic places in which you can explore with the hum of a 4-stroke and the smell of petrol leaking out of the fuel cap. No better way to spend our weekends!
We recommend that you join in with one of the several dirt bike groups on Facebook. The Dual-Sports Riders Association is a great one to look out for and they organize group rides on private property. A great way to meet other fellow riders who share the same passion.
If you’re looking to ride around Australia with a dirt bike, then you certainly can do this. Dozens of people have and the 450cc to 700cc class is ideal if you want to mix some highway KMs with some offroad gravel tracks along the way. You’ll probably want to get a Safari Tank as there are some long distances between fuel stops and the prices aren’t too impressive.
Then again, the 250L by Honda with the adventure fairings is a pretty capable bike. If the budget is tight, then there’s seriously good value with a light frame and plenty of mods to suit.
Motorcycle camping is a seriously fun thing to do and most people plan for a few trips each and every year.
To go motorcycling competently, you’re going to need some prior planning to ensure it all goes according to plan.
Going motorcycle camping is a combination of packing the right gear for the conditions, selecting the right campsite and allowing yourself to forget the world for a few days and nights. For many, camping and motorcycling go together like cheese and wine, and with a fire, a tent and your motorcycle, it makes for an incredible experience.
In this guide, we’ll show you how you can go motorcycle camping, whether that’s at a national park or even stealth camping for free.
Let’s begin.
Getting Started with Motorcycle Camping
A lot of this will come down to your gear, your destination, the weather conditions and how much of a glamping experience you need. In part, these factors are dependent on the type of motorcycle you have.
As such, those with smaller motorcycles with limited storage space will struggle to bring everything they need. We say ‘need’ because there is always way more that people want to bring rather than need.
There are also almost limitless configurations that one can come up with which can make their experience much more fun to be had.
Let’s begin.
Choosing the Right Luggage
While you can simply through a cheap set of pannier bags on the sides for the occasional weekend experience, those with some deeper pockets and a desire to camp more frequently should invest in some serious luggage sets.
You generally have 2 types of luggage styles:
The soft luggage. This is excellent for the dual-sport and adventure rider who goes stealth camping and sees themselves off the beaten path quite regularly. They are made from water-proof materials that are also quite thick and with reliable straps. Notable brands in the market are Klim and Krieger.
The hard luggage. This luggage is best for security and to look more flush with your motorcycle. Better suited for the road rider that sees the occasional dirt track. While they are more expensive, they also look better and certainly can keep your goods dry.
In addition to the two types, you may wish to bring a backpack with you which holds only soft and light goods like clothing and a pillow. Some riders also fit a tank bag for their DLSR camera and guide books.
At Frontaer, we prefer the soft-sided luggage due to its padding in the event of an accident. With hard-side luggage, they are not only more likely to break during accidents, but they’ll actually transfer the intrinsic forces of the crash on to your body and on to the frame of your motorcycle. Ouch!
Now – hard luggage has its place and for most riders, they never have an issue. Being able to sleep at night knowing that the cases are locked and safe from prying eyes is worth more than the potential accident that may never arrive.
Selecting a Tent
There are so many different tents that work well for motorcycle camping, as long as they are obviously small and light, while also being high quality. After all, a good night’s rest is necessary for safe riding the following day.
Here are some great options:
Normal family tent. Something that you’ll find at any adventure store is enough to help you have a great 3-season experience. These are designed for the family car camper and for the budget-conscious individual, these tents will work well.
Hiking tent. This is a much better choice as they pack up quite small. Chance are that you’re going to be sleeping by yourself or with one significant other. As such, these are preferred though you’ll have limited space to store stuff such as your riding jacket.
Swag. Popular in Australia is the remarkable swag which is a combination of a sleeping bag, tent and mattress combined into one system. These roll up into quite large contraptions, but for sheer comfort, you’ll certainly find the swag offering so much value.
Motorcycle Garage Tent. New on the scene are motorcycle garage tents which allow you to park your motorcycle inside and away from the rain. Horray! However – this comes at a cost for both your wallet and the space on your motorcycle. They’ll cover all of the available space on the rear for most motorcycles, meaning your saddlebags need to take the rest of the gear.
Recommended Gear
Apart from a great luggage system and premium tent, what else should you bring along for a motorcycle camping adventure? Well, quite a few things.
Over the years we’ve come to realize that this gear within this checklist is necessary on any motorcycling adventure:
Something to go swimming in. For the guys, a pair of board shorts that can be still worn casually is ideal.
Normal walking shoes. Nothing ruins a great camping trip than having to walk around in your boots. Imagine having to put these on at 2am when nature calls. Weird! Bring some flip flops or thin shoes that fold flat.
A hat. Seriously. A hat is something that so many people forget but can really help you when you go for an afternoon walk. If anything, it’ll help you hide that awkward helmet hair.
Charging accessories. Even though you’re camping, you’ll probably want good access to the outside world and want to keep your devices charged up. Consider a 12v solar kit to bring along that folds up easily.
Compact camp oven + cookware. Unless you plan on eating raw tuna, bringing a camp oven with cooking pans, utensils, plus an oven with gas should definitely be on your checklist.
Torch. While your cell phone has a flashlight function, don’t discount the value of a torch. When your cell phone gets broken or goes flat, what’s your next plan?
Baby wipes. Sometimes you’ll be going a few days without showering and baby wipes can give you a mini-shower while in your tent which will help you sleep more soundly.
Quality straps. You don’t want to lose your gear when going down the highway, especially as you can’t see it. There will be no worse feeling than arriving at camp and noticing a missing bag. Let’s not forget that feeling in the back of your mind when you’re cruising along when you should really be focused on the road ahead. Trust us – quality straps are the best way to go!
Foldable fishing rod. Yes! In some places, you’ll be camping right by a lake and you’ll be kicking yourself for not bringing any fishing supplies along. A foldable fishing rod packs easily into the panniers yet can land yourself a tasty dinner.
Something to sit on. Yep – something to sit on is something that you’ll definitely want to bring and for many people, they opt for a folding 3-legged stool which takes up minimal space. You might want to research your campground ahead of time and see if they have picnic tables or logs to sit on.
Finding Camp Sites
There are literally thousands of potential campsites around that are welcoming of motorcycles. Essentially, anywhere a car can camp – a motorcycle can too. Even better is that motorcycles can access tracks that conventional 4×4 vehicles can’t.
On the market are numerous apps and guide books that will help you find the best camping spots in your local area. These days even Google has become better in helping people find available campsites and you won’t even have to spend a dollar.
Additionally, you may with to get into stealth camping which is free camping wherever you pitch your tent. By being camouflaged, you can camp in spots where others can’t see you, even in suburban areas. Do note that this is largely frowned upon by everyone except for the motorcycling community, so you’ll need to be covert as possible and don’t leave any evidence.
Additionally – we recommend networking with other keen adventure motorcyclists. These are the folk that have been camping with their motorcycle many times and can pass along some stories and excellent sites that are worth the visit.
Getting Started
One of the best ways to get started with motorcycle camping is by joining a club or one of the numerous Facebook groups in your region. It’s these people that will welcome others along at any chance they can.
Now – if you’re one of the socially awkward type, then don’t despair! Going camping with your motorcycle is an easy experience which only requires a little forward-planning to be comfortable enough.
A great strategy is to use hotels or motels for the first few trips. After some time, you’ll become acustomed to planning and packing effectively, and can start bringing the tent and sleeping bag along for a night or two away in the woods.
From here – you’re able to stretch into new horizons and towards dream locations that most others would only dream of discovering. That all starts with getting out there today!
The United Kingdom doesn’t have that many dirt bike trails or tracks and there are so few in England, Wales, Ireland and Scottland.
In other countries, there are many kilometres of enduro trails and forest tracks to explore. On the other hand, much of the offroad riding is found in motocross tracks and some private farmland. Essentially, you’ll need to head to one of the numerous private riding parks where you’ll pay an entrance fee.
Best Dirt Bike Riding Trails UK
If you’re a dual-sport rider who’s into adventure motorcycling, then you’re in for some luck. You can ride along green lanes provided you have registration. For the unlicenced or unregistered dirt bike rider, then unfortunately you’ll be stuck with the private parks.
These are UK’s most popular dirt bike tracks:
1. Actiontrax
Trax is very well known in the United Kingdom as a great spot for enduro riding and even some racing events. They run regular training for big bore adventure bike riders as well as those looking to improve their skills on sub 500cc motorcycles.
Their home track is Tunbridge Wells track with many acres of woodland forests to explore on 2 wheels. Further more, they have the Exedown Track, Penshurt Track and the Faversham Track available for other events during the year. There is a focus on youth development and they run enduro events here for under 16s.
All in all, Actiontrax really has a good spot and is well organized by a group of volunteers. Even if you’re not into the racing scene, you’ll be able to find some lifelong friends here who share the same passion.
2. Rhyader
You’ll find the best trail bike riding in Rhayader and this area covers the open country and tight forest tracks. These also take you down legal byways and green lanes. If you’re not keen to go solo here, then you can join one of the regular group rides where you can hire a Husqvarna with plenty of throttle on tap. Further still, you can head for the Pyreness Trail or Morocco for an organized adventure rides further afield.
3. Cheddar Motopark
Head near Bristol and you’ll find the Cheddar Extreme Motopark and their all new track. It’s well maintained and certainly one of the better MX tracks around. They are often working on a new layouts to keep mixing things up for riders.
They run racing here often so call head before you head there to ensure you can get some track time. The weekends are generally the busiest here so aim for a mid-week ride.
4. FatCat Motopark
FatCat is near Armthorp and Doncaster. This dirt bike park has three tracks and is immensely popular with those in Yorkshire, England. We recommend calling up a few days prior to heading out and avoid the spot if it lo
5. Bumpy Motorcycle Park
Bumpy Motorcycle Park is a worthwhile addition to this list and you’ll find numerous trails in which you can open up the throttle. The spot is small but it’s good for those who don’t want to risk getting fined on the other trails with their not-so-legal dirt bike.
6. UK Enduro Trails and Green Lanes
There are many trails and most riders keep quiet about these riding areas. You’ll find some good tracks worth exploring on your dirt bike in Crediton which has a very long loop. Namely in England, there is also Brailsford to Atlow, Salisbury Off Road, Ingbirchworth to Peniston, Taddington to Castleton and a good trail system by Markyate.
7. WildTracks Offroad Park
WildTracks is a motocross park with a small area for trail bike riding but not much here. This has been built for the racing enthusiast with 3 tracks with one being ideal for competition use. Kids are welcome here as there is a smaller track and there are regular race days with spectators welcome.
Getting Started
With government red tape, it’s often hard to find good riding areas. Most of the ADV crew pack the bike with some saddle bars and throw the bike onto a ferry. After all, Europe just offers so much more freedom to explore on 2 wheels.
Yet there are still plenty of riding trails especially in England worth exploring which are legal yet quite muddy too, if you’re happy to go a fair way out of town. Grab some mates together and start exploring today!
California has the highest amount of dirt bike riding tracks in the US, with many being near LA, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose.
Creating a list of all these places was pain-staking work. Much like you, we would rather be out there exploring the tracks ourselves instead of being behind the screen.
Best Dirt Bike Riding Trails California
This guide came about as we scratched our heads looking for new places to ride. We didn’t want MX tracks or clubs (though racing is awesome) and simply wanted to ride anywhere legally provided we had our California OHV Permit. These days, the State also allows non-residents to purchase these online too.
For the ADV and dual-sport crowd, this guide is equally applicable to you. We love adventure riding as much as enduro and weekend exploring.
Before you head out, just remember that these areas can close at any time due to fire dangers and flooding. Always check with the local rangers before you haul.
These are California’s most popular dirt bike trails:
1. Mt. Pinos East OHV Trails
Mt. Pinos East in the Los Padres National Forest is epic if you love the open country and rugged terrain. Yes, this spot is better suited for experienced riders who can manage the numerous hill climbs and tight switchbacks and tube-busting rocks, but beginners should have a go too. There are multiple campgrounds but our pick goes to Chuchupate Campground which doesn’t require the holding of an Adventure Pass. (If you need one of these, get one online or see the Mt. Pinos Ranger Station).
2. Fort Sage OHV Area
Most people in California have heard of Fort Sage before but probably haven’t visited this mecca of dirt bike regions. This area is one of the best in the state, with some visitors jumping the border from Reno, Nevada. Yes – it’s that good. The trails are hard-packed sand (yes, it’s possible) and beginners can get through much of this area pretty easily. There are about 30,000 acres here so we recommend staying overnight and there are plenty of camping spots around Fort Sage OHV Area.
3. Penny Pines
Penny Pines is very popular and most riders aim for Deer Valley staging area to unload the dirt bikes before venturing around the area. It’s best for those who are more experienced yet beginners are welcome since there are dozens of trails to explore. This is within Elk Mountain and Mendocino National Forest. Most families camp overnight at Middlecreek Staging Area where there is a PeeWee track for the kids as well as a dry river bed.
4. Hungry Valley SVRA
Hungry Valley is well known as the place to be in the Californian Desert with your dirt bike. Love to go fast? Then you’ll be reaching your top gears here quite regularly. We don’t recommend this area in summer as it can get seriously hot, so aim for the shoulder seasons. Smith Forks Campground is a great place to camp especially as there is a mini-motocross located right on-site as well as some 4WD practice areas if you bring the truck too.
5. Big Meadows (Sequoia National Forest)
Big Meadows is a great place to finally twist that throttle and let yourself loose. Here is where you’ll find Kings Canyon National Parks and Buck Rock Campground for an overnight stay. The trails are a mix of beginner-friendly and some intermediate loops but nothing too technical or challenging. If you want some epic views, then head up the BUck Rock Jeep Trail.
6. Spangler Hills OHV Area
SPangler Hills offers free dirt bike riding trails covering 57,000+ acres. It’s literally a paradise for those that want to cruise at triple digits! You can imagine that this is a great training ground for Baja and Dakar competitors without the crowds of other riding areas. It’s mostly flat terrain and you can ride just about anywhere you want as well as camp anywhere you want. Some nearby spots include Jawbone Canyon and Dove Springs which are worth checking out.
7. Frank Raines OHV Park
Frank Raines is epic and is open to all OHV vehicles including those from out of state. This spot regularly closes though due to fire ban and high temperatures, but when it’s open…then it’s the spot to be. Indeed, this is lucky #7 on this list and we think that’s quite appropriate for what you’ll have to explore here. Hard-packed terrain that’s relatively easy to get through, paired with campgrounds which have shower facilities. What more could you ask for?
8. Foresthill OHV
If you want some genuine forests to ride through, then Foresthill is named quite appropriately. There are more than 100 miles of off-road riding trails to explore and several entry points. The terrain is hard-packed though it can get quite muddy or dusty depending on where you are in the season. Numerous camp sites are available which are free while the better ones are by the lake which you’ll need to pay for.
9. Carnegie SVRA Trail
Carnegie SVRA is a pretty big offroad park and quite popular with regular visitors from Stockton. The area is shared with 4×4’s but dirt bikes will find their fair share of single track in which to explore. That said, it gets busy on weekends and you’ll need a spark arrestors which is Forest Service Approved, so be mindful especially if you’re on a 2-banger.
10. Jawbone Canyon
Jawbone Canyon is really best for the big bore bikes who not just have the power but skill and reaction to make it through the tough stuff. Plenty of sand mixed in with some challenging hill climbs make this a great spot for the experienced dirt bike riders from Los Angeles. This area is within the Mojave Desert and there are heaps of free-range camping spots but no real facilities.
11. Indian Springs
Indian Springs is definitely a 4×4 trail but dirt bikes are permitted. You won’t find much single track but it’s worth exploring on the double track and riding two-abreast. Be wary around corners especially on weekends as seeing oncoming vehicles is quite common. Aim for the Indian Springs Campground for overnight stays, though there isn’t any direct trail access here.
12. Corral Canyon OHV Area (Cleveland National Forest)
Corrall Canyon has more than 50+ miles of dirt bike trails to explore on 2-wheels. The area is particularly shaded and partially open country with great views of Lake Morena. If you’re camping overnight here then aim for Bobcat Meadows or Corral Canyon where you’ll find basic sites and fires are permitted.
13. Millwood OHV Area
In the Sequoia National FOrest is the Millwood OHV Area. You’ll find around 25 miles worth of trails which are dirt bike friendly. This is in the Hume Lake Ranger District and you can camp at Abbott Creek Campground though space is limited for those with big trailers. The terrain is a bit rocky and not always the most accommodating for the beginner, but still worth the trip. If you want to see the world’s tallest trees, then this area adjoins the Kings Canyon National Park.
14. French Meadow
French Meadow is very popular with many people hauling in for hours from LA and San Diego to ride here. Even Weldon and Lake Isabella residents praise the fact that they have French Meadow quite close. Naturally, this spot gets busy on weekends but it’s obvious to see why with 500+ miles at your disposal and much of it is single track. The area is well marked but we recommend packing a GPS just in case. You can camp for free here and our recommendation is Landers Camp, though if that’s full then head for Piaute Springs OHV.
15. Bee Canyon Truck Trail (San Bernardino National Forest)
Bee Canyon Truck Trail is a popular spot yet doesn’t really offer that much space. You’ll find some single track and forest service roads running about 20 miles, so this makes this area good for a day-trip. If you want to experience snow in California on your dirt bike, then this is one of those rare places in which to do it. Yes, this spot is open-year round.
16. Elkins Flat OHV Routes
We recommend Elkins Flat OHV Routes which you’ll find within the Eldorado National Forest. Much of these trails have been set aside for dirt bikes only, and these trails are mostly marked and graded for difficulty. Essentially – there is something for everyone here! Not only are the trails good, but camping is even better. There are so many trails in this network that we recommend staying from late Friday to late Sunday to take it all in.
17. Georgetown (Eldorado National Forest)
Eldorado National Forest has a spot called Georgetown with more than 140 miles to explore on 2-wheels. THese tight and twisty tracks are just made perfectly for dirt bikes to explore. You’ll spend much of your day in 2nd or 3rd gear and there are some challenging spots to overcome, but as the trails are marked and rated, beginners can easily find an alternative. We recommend the Mace Mill Staging Area.
18. Pilot Creek OHV Trails
When you’re in the peak of summer and California’s desserts are stupidly hot, then it’s time to get into the shade. Head for Six Rivers National Forest where you’ll find the Pilot Creek OHV Trails which welcomes dirt bikes. These are very wooded trails which are well marked and there are several campsites worth visiting.
19. High Dome Trail
The High Dome Trail in the Six Rivers National Forest is considered to be a reasonable for a visit on the dirt bike, yet the type of place where you’d only ever visit once. There are several loops in which to explore on 2 wheels here and it’s mostly single track. While you can camp at Elk Camp Ridge overnight (which as more loops), you’ll probably see much of this area within a few hours and then be loading up and heading off.
20. Jackson Meadows
Within Tahoe National Forest is Jackson Meadows and we recommend this spot for the ADV dual-sport rider given the high volume of dirt roads as opposed to single track. There are heaps of campsites dotted around the numerous lakes. The terrain is mostly flat and there isn’t much challenge, making this ideal for throwing your tent and supplies in the panniers and coming in for an adventure.
21. Crandall Peak and Deer Creek OHV Areas
Crandall Peak and Deer Creak are within the Stanislaus National Forest and you’ll find more than 40 miles set aside exclusively for dirt bikes, with much of this being single-track. We’re talking 2nd and 3rd gear here with quite a number of switch backs and narrow passes. If that becomes too much, there are also more than 140 miles of forest service roads that you can’t ignore! Head for Crandall OHV Campground for your staging area and stay overnight to really see everything here.
22. Dumont Dunes
With more than 8,000 acres to see, you’ll love Dumont and its epic sand dunes. That is, provided you have a serious commitment and the power to back you up. These dunes are steeeep! We’d also recommend you have a spotter at the top if you’re going with a bunch of mates. After all, you never know if there’s a buggy on the other side. You can certainly camp here overnight and last time we checked it’s free camping.
23. Glamis Sand Dunes
If Dumont isn’t doing it for you, then Glamis certainly will. We’re talking epic sand dunes with heaps of space to stretch out. You’ll probably need a paddle tire to get through this with a big bore bike too. Forget the 250cc weapon for the single track as it probably won’t make it through. Heaps of places to ride and camp, though the places get very popular on weekends with many riders coming in from all over California to ride here.
24. Interface Recreation Trails
Within the Stanislaus National Forest is Interface Recreation Trails. No 4×4’s permitted here which means that you don’t need to worry about 3 tonnes of metal waiting for you around the next bend. The terrain has some challenging sections and specific trails for the more experienced folk. No camping opportunities here but do check out White Pines Lack Recreation Area for an after-ride swim in the fresh water.
25. Dove Springs
Dove Springs isn’t too far from Jawbone Canyon that we noted at #10 on this list. The terrain here is open country with limited shade and very minor elevations. Not much in the way of scenery but you can finally see the top-end of your gears here if you’re done with the tight forest single track. Pack yourself a spare rear tire and 2 tubes. You can thank us later.
26. Lake Arrowhead
Lake Arrowhead has some good riding trails and it’s best for those living in the area of Lake Arrowhead, CA. This is due to the proximity to residential areas. You’ll find good trails for the beginner who’s looking to improve their skills given how little there is here in the way of challenging terrain.
27. Knoxville Recreation Area
Knoxville is quite rugged so don’t head here if this is your first time riding offroad. The hard-packed terrain is ideal for those looking to level up their skills where you’ll rarely be heading up into 4th gear. We recommend camping overnight and you can choose either the lower or upper camps, but be warned – the entrance roads can be quite rough, as can the main dirt bike tracks themselves.
28. Pozo La Panza OHV Area
Pozo La Panza is a great mountain loop with some steep rider as well as heavily wooded forests and epic views. Aim for either Navajo Flat or Turkey Flat staging area where both have great campsites though they are limited in size. Bring some spare coins as they both charge fees to both parks and stay overnight. No real facilities here apart from long drop toilets.
29. Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Bar Bar OHV
Mammoty has riding trails and MX tracks galore. With more than 30 miles of trails to explore, you’re going to need a few hours to get through everything. You’ll need to be more experienced to ride here given how steep some of the sections are. More than 1,000 acres here and you can camp overnight too. Note: Some spots in Mammoth are closed on Saturdays.
30. Porterville OHV Area
We just had to add a motocross track to this list. Admit it: You were waiting for this! Given anyone can head on to Porterville and ride these different motocross tracks, it’s the type of place that’s perfect for developing your dirt bike skills. Sure – you might not want to jump but knowing how to get through whoop sections and blast through corners will certainly help you keep up in scheduled group rides.
31. Ocotillo Wells SRRA
California State Parks operates Ocotillo Wells SVRA and this has a large open area with more than 80,000 acres in which to explore. You’re probably going to want to stay at least one night to really see everything…or even create your own tracks out here! It’s free to ride your dirt bike here and there are unlimited camp sites.
32. Lark Canyon OHV Area
Lark Canyon OHV Area has numerous trails and 15 very good camp sites with direct trail access for dirt bikes. This is a popular spot for riders all over California though the area doesn’t really have much in the way of facilities apart from showers and some water.
33. Rasor OHV Area
If you’re looking for dunes and Dumont or Glamis don’t tickle your fancy, then you need to get on to Rasor OHV Area. You’ll need to go down the Mojave Road which provides access to this area into the Mojave National Reserve. This is quite a remote spot and you’ll need to haul everything in and there are no amenities like toilets, but certainly plenty of riding and camping spots. Minimal crowds even on weekends!
34. South Cow Mountain
More experienced dirt bike riders from San Francisco generally venture up to South Cow Mountain and the trail loops can be quite gnarly. It’s a mix of sharp rocky sections and numerous creek streams. There are more than 20,000 acres in which to explore yet the place does attract quite a lot of riders from nearby Ukiah. TH
35. Chappie-Shasta OHV Area
Chappie-Shasta is made up of mainly loose rocks where you’ll be breaking some traction along the route, but the scenery more than makes up for it. There are some climbs and descents for experienced riders to conquer but some beginner loops too. You’ll rarely see 4×4’s here as the tracks generally aren’t wide enough. Head for the Chappie-Shasta Staging Area where there is heaps of space to unload, while there is a good campground 2 minutes down the road too.
36. Rice Canyon OHV Area
Rice Canyon OHV Area has more than 100 acres to play. Sure – that might not be much but kids are welcome here and there is a great spot to camp overnight. Both riding and camping is free here provided you have the OHV Permit for every member of your family who is riding. Given how small it is, this spot isn’t so popular with other riders which is great…it keeps those annoying crowds away!
37. Wildomar OHV Area
Wildomar out towards Lake Elsinore has a stunning network of trails to explore and makes up the past place on our list. This is within Cleveland National Forest and the Trabuco Ranger District. Like some other dirt bike tracks in California, this one can be closed during the peak of summer months due to excessive heat. There is a campground with direct trail access and you will also need to pay a day-use fee or use an Adventure Pass.
Getting Started
Just remember that some of these spots will be closed in the heat of summer due to fire bans and excessive heat. Even if these spots are open, they can be seriously hot and so you’ll need to bring plenty of water.
Get some buddies together and start riding. If you’re looking for some new friends who also ride dirt bikes, then it’s best to get inside of one of the several Facebook groups of fellow riders in San Jose, San Diego, Los Angeles or San Francisco. Some of these riders organize group rides and enduro events too, as well as dual-sport camping trips.
Either way – get out there! We only live once and life is best explored behind the handlebars.
Living in the South Island lends itself to epic places to ride a dirt bike and certainly close to Christchurch you can explore a lot.
This is probably why several dirt bike tour companies have sprung up over the years. They’re all keen to take riders around and show them what the best island in NZ has to offer. It’s super fun behind the handlebars after all.
Best Dirt Bike Tracks Christchurch
We’ve done our research to help you with some epic places to go riding. After all, life is best lived behind the handlebars. Now, there are some places where dirt bikes are somewhat restricted and with routes only open to registered motorcycles and conventional cars.
Such places include Arthur’s Pass National Park, Cragieburn Forest Park and Lake Sumner Forest Park. These places are closed due to disrespectful riders causing havoc to these riding spots. It’s also hard for private operators to open the gates due to insurance and liability reasons. Otherwise, we’ve found some mighty great places to open up your 4-stroke including government land.
These are best places to ride a dirt bike near Christchurch:
1. Waimakariri River Regional Park
The New Zealand Government has set aside almost 30km of marked dirt bike tracks on both sides of the Waimakariri River. With 3 spots to park and ride, you’ll certainly have some great spots to keep you busy. For more information, check out this guide where there is also a small ATV/quad bike area too which is quite rare to find.
2. Kaiapoi Island Motocross Park
If you love closed-circuit racing or simply improving your cornering skills in an enclosed environment, then get along to this spot. Children will love this too as there is a learners area which is sectioned off to help newer riders improve their skills without intimidation.
This spot is great for kids and adults alike! It’s like an MX park but it’s meant for more casual riding as well as skills development. Quite refreshing actually to see a long-form trail like this with some jumps and whoop sections. This has been run as a grassroots start up with 3 tracks to choose from.
4. Christchurch Moto X
If you prefer the thrill and mateship that comes from being in a club, then head along to Moto X Christchurch. This is the pinnacle of motocross racing and it’s in West Melton right by the Canterbury Aero Club.
5. Christchurch Offroad Motorcycle Club
This one is a bit different but worth mentioning. They organize the occasional group ride though they mainly focus around MX racing at the club above. Definitely worth popping your head into their Facebook group and watch the banter.
Get Yourself Going
One of the hardest parts about getting out there now is the motivation, especially in the winter months. Some of these riding spots are either closed or restricted which makes your excuses justified. That said – you could catch the boat north to Auckland and check out some spots, but don’t forget your thermals!
Also – there is a popular Facebook group for Christchurch riders. A couple of guys in there organize regular group rides in the region for registered enduro bikes. Well worth going along if you have no one to ride with just yet. As for adventure riding, well the entire island lends itself to the perfect escape plan!
