Jawbone to Dove Springs — El Paso Mountains Full Desert Traverse via Red Rock Canyon State Park Backdoor
Volcanic badlands, slot canyons, zero pavement.
The El Paso Mountains sit in a forgotten wedge of California desert between the southern Sierra Nevada and the Mojave floor — and the Jawbone to Dove Springs corridor is the working spine of that terrain. Starting at the Jawbone Canyon OHV area off US-395 north of Mojave, the route climbs through volcanic rock and fractured canyon walls before crossing into the badlands above Red Rock Canyon State Park and threading south toward the Dove Springs OHV area. The stretch through Last Chance Canyon is the highlight — a genuine slot-walled ravine with eroded pillars and tilted red-and-white sedimentary strata that look like something out of a Cormac McCarthy novel. Watch the sandy wash floors; they can be deceptively deep after wind events.
This is an OHV-designated corridor, meaning it’s legal, mapped, and used by everything from stock 4x4s to full-send buggies. Stock high-clearance rigs can complete the main line without drama in dry conditions, but the rocky technical sections through Last Chance Canyon demand decent approach angles and confident driving. No permit required; the area is free to use. Best season is October through April — summer temperatures regularly exceed 105°F and there is zero shade or water along the route. Carry 3–4 gallons per person minimum. Nearest fuel is Mojave or Ridgecrest. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout Jawbone and Dove Springs OHV areas.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4320 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Mojave, CA |
| Land manager | BLM Ridgecrest Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Jawbone OHV Area BLM Dove Springs OHV Area |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner will get through, but you'll want to air down to 18-20 psi for the rocky volcanic sections and sandy washes. Lifted rigs have more margin on the sharper rock shelves near the El Paso Mountains spine, but it's not a hard requirement.
When does the trail become a bad idea — heat, flash floods, snow?
Summer is genuinely dangerous here — Mojave desert temps push 110°F and there's zero shade on most of the route. Stick to October through April. Winter days are fine but watch for overnight freezing on the higher volcanic terrain above 4,000 ft. Flash flood risk is real in the washes after any storm, even distant ones.
Do I need a permit or OHV sticker to run Jawbone and Dove Springs?
California requires a valid OHV Green Sticker or Red Sticker (or current registration) for any off-highway vehicle operated in BLM OHV areas. Street-legal, registered 4x4s are fine without a separate sticker. No day-use fee at either Jawbone or Dove Springs as of now, but check BLM Ridgecrest for any changes before you go.
What's the hardest section and what specifically makes it technical?
The rocky volcanic shelf terrain through the El Paso Mountains mid-traverse is where most rigs get tested — loose decomposed granite over embedded basalt, off-camber ledges, and tight lines between boulders that punish wide tracks or low clearance. It's not a locker-required section, but slow and deliberate wins over momentum here.
Is there any water or gas along the 28-mile route, or do I need to plan full self-sufficiency?
There is zero water and zero services on the trail — plan as if you're in the middle of nowhere because you are. Mojave is your last gas stop before Jawbone; fuel range matters since the nearest station near Dove Springs exit puts you back toward Mojave or Ridgecrest. Carry all water you need for the day plus emergency reserve.
Trail track
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