Arroyo Salado For ATV Riding

Northwest of El Centro in Ocotillo Wells State Recreation Area, the Arroyo Salado has 4,800 acres of rolling hills and sand washes open to ATV riding. There are two connecting trail, North Fork Arroyo Salado and just Arroyo Salado. The easiest access to the area is from Holly Rd off S22 County Rd. Both trails enter the Anza Borrego SP where OHVs are not permitted so be sure to obey all closure signs on the trail.

These unusual rolling hills and sand washes, located 10 miles west of Hwy. 86 on Hwy. 78, are designated "Open Area D" by the BLM. The area consists of 4,800 acres adjacent to Ocotillo Wells Vehicular Recreation Area. Part of the area was used for training by the Army Tank Corps in the early part of World War II. The area has been cleared of most dangerous material, but it is still possible to find old ammo buried in the sand. Anything found should be left alone and reported to the BLM or Rangers in the area.

The trailhead is located 10 miles west of SR86 on SR78.

Overall, Arroyo Salado is the 40th most popular ATV riding trail of all 106 ATV trails in California. Several of the better atv trails are nearby Arroyo Salado including Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, Corral Canyon OHV Area, Ocotillo Wells State Recreation Area, Glamis Dunes and Lark Canyon OHV Area.