Go ATVing in Ocotillo Wells, A 90 Acre Off-roading Wonderland

In the heart of Southern California’s Colorado Desert lies Ocotillo Wells, an amazing place for off-road enthusiasts. This area spans over 85,000 acres of breathtaking desert landscape. The terrain varies from sandy washes and rocky hills to wide-open desert flats, providing a diverse and exciting riding experience. Head to Steve’s ATV Rentals in Thermal, just 3 hours from Los Angeles, to rent an ATV or UTV and hit the trails!

To Get There

• Address of Steve’s ATV Rentals: 2104 Frontage Rd, Thermal, CA 92274
• ATV/UTV Pricing: The intro to the park sounded intimidating with all the trails and directions—but it was really spot on, and once we were in it was easy to navigate with lots of signs.
• Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area

When To Go

The best time to visit Ocotillo Wells is during the cooler months, from October to April. Temperatures can be extreme in the summer, often exceeding 100°F (38°C). Springtime, when the wildflowers are in bloom in nearby Anza Borrego, is particularly beautiful.

Ocotillo Wells

Ocotillo Wells is renowned for its extensive network of off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails. With over 1,200 miles of trails, it’s a paradise for dirt bikers, ATV riders, and 4×4 enthusiasts. The terrain varies from sandy washes and rocky hills to wide-open desert flats.

It was a short ride from Steve’s ATV Rentals to the park entrance. There are interesting sites to stop at all over the park. There are also bathrooms and open areas to stop and snack at the major stops. In between the trails are long and not too busy. The majority of the time we were alone and flying at what felt like 40 miles an hour!

Shell Reef

Shell Reef is a geological formation composed of ancient shell fossils. It’s a great spot for rock crawling and exploring the unique textures and shapes of the reef. The area also offers excellent opportunities for fossil hunting and photography.

The Pumpkin Patch

There are a lot of geological sites all over Ocotillo Wells. We went to see the Pumpkin Patch, a unique landscape that’s the result of wind and water continuously eroding the surface soil. Eventually little sandstone shapes appear that look like pumpkins. This unique geological site offers a surreal landscape, making it a popular spot for visitors to explore and photograph. It’s a must-see attraction that showcases the desert’s intriguing natural history.

The Gas Domes

We also went to see the gas domes in Ocotillo Wells which are natural geothermal features where methane gas seeps through the earth, creating bubbling mud pots and small craters. Cool gray water bubbles up from gas and builds and deposits more particles on the surface, making the hill grow larger. There are similar mud pots near the Salton Sea. 

Overall, this is an amazing place to explore. If you have have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below!