American Motorcyclist March 2018

Ocotillo Wells Riding Area Survives

Court Rejects Bid To End Riding

Photo By Alan Seligson

Off-road enthusiasts can continue using the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, following a ruling in the Sacramento County, Calif., Superior Court that shot down an effort to halt activities there.

Ecologic Partners—a consortium of off-highway organizations composed of the Off Road Business Association, AMA District 37 and the American Sand Association—joined California State Parks in efforts to defend riding in the area.

The challenge came in a lawsuit by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and the Desert Protective Council, who argued that open riding at Ocotillo Wells jeopardized archeological and natural resources.

PEER and the DPC wanted the court to force the state to restrict motorized recreation to the few designated trails in the 85,000-acre park.