Guides/OHV areas/California
OHV area5,000 acres60+ miles of designated routes trail midifficulty: difficult

Rowher Flat OHV Area

RegionCaliforniaAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Rowher Flat OHV Area — ohv area near Santa Clarita, California, California
Area vitals8 facts
Size
5,000acres
Trail miles
60+ miles of designated routes
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Vehicle classes
Motorcycle / Dirt bike, ATV, UTV / Side-by-side, 4WD truck/SUV
Best months
Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Permit
Required
Fees
Adventure Pass required ($5 daily / $30 annual)
Cell coverage
Spotty. Service appears at the staging area and on ridges; drops in canyons.
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Rowher Flat is the closest USFS-managed OHV area to greater Los Angeles, on Angeles National Forest's Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers Ranger District north of Santa Clarita. The area covers more than 5,000 acres of chaparral and oak savanna with 60-plus miles of designated routes for motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, and full-size 4WDs. The main staging area at the end of Sierra Highway has restrooms, a kiosk, and parking for trailers.

The network includes wide graded staging-area roads suitable for beginners, single-track motorcycle trails through chaparral, and steeper ridge climbs on the eastern half that rate advanced. The area is open year-round but summer surface temperatures top 100°F and most riders avoid July and August. The Adventure Pass is required for parking. Rowher and the adjacent Texas Canyon area together form the largest USFS OHV complex in southern California.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Fire restrictions. Angeles NF closes the corridor during high fire danger. Check before going.
  • Heat. Summer surface temperatures top 100°F. Plan a cool-season visit.
  • Tire damage. Loose granite and embedded rocks puncture sidewalls. Carry a spare.
  • Mixed-use traffic. Motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, and full-size 4WDs share many routes. Maintain awareness of blind corners.
  • Cell service drops. Carry an offline map or USFS OHV map.

Area map

OHV area

Coordinates 34.48800, -118.45100

Current conditions

Live weather

Area facts

7 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townSanta Clarita, California
PermitCalifornia OHV registration (red or green sticker) required for non-street-legal vehicles. Spark arresters required. Riders under 18 must wear helmets.
Agency contact661-269-2935 (Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers Ranger District)
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r05/angeles/recreation/rowher-flat-ohv-area
ClosedJul, Aug
Coordinates34.48800, -118.45100

Getting there

Directions

From the 14 Freeway north of Los Angeles, take the Sierra Highway off-ramp and travel north. Access to the area is via Rush Canyon Road off Sierra Highway.

Three staging areas (I, II, and III) sit at the entrances, each with loading docks, picnic tables, trash receptacles, and vault toilets. Contact the Santa Clara-Mojave Rivers Ranger District at 661-296-9710 for current conditions.

Photos

5 photos

Photos · 5

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Rowher Flat sits north of Santa Clarita on Angeles NF, accessible from Sierra Highway off SR-14 at the Sand Canyon exit. The main staging area is at the end of Sierra Highway. Texas Canyon, the adjacent OHV area, lies a few miles east; the two systems share trails and management. The Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers Ranger District manages the entire complex.

What to Expect

The network exceeds 60 miles of designated routes. Surface ranges from wide graded roads (open to all vehicle classes) to single-track motorcycle-only trails. The eastern half includes steep canyon climbs and ridge runs that rate advanced. The area is divided into open zones (designated as 'play areas' for hill climbing) and trail-only zones (where staying on marked routes is required). The USFS Travel Management map and the OHV-specific map sold at the visitor center govern legal use.

Vehicle and Permit Rules

  • California OHV registration (red or green sticker) required for non-street-legal vehicles.
  • Spark arresters required on all motorized vehicles.
  • Adventure Pass required for parking ($5 daily / $30 annual). Daily passes sold at the kiosk.
  • Riders under 18 must wear helmets at all times.
  • Stay on designated routes outside of marked play areas. Off-route riding is enforced.
  • Single-track motorcycle trails are not legal for ATVs, side-by-sides, or 4WDs.

Hub Towns and Trailheads

  • Sierra Highway Staging Area. Main trailhead at the end of Sierra Highway, with restrooms, kiosk, parking, and a wide staging flat.
  • Santa Clarita. Closest full-service hub with fuel, motels, and OHV shops on Sand Canyon Road.
  • Acton. Smaller alternative service stop on the SR-14 north of the area.

Where to Camp

Rowher Flat does not have a developed campground. Dispersed camping is allowed on Angeles NF land off the main routes with a Campfire Permit (free, online); standard 14-day stay limit applies. Closest developed campgrounds are at South Fork Campground (Angeles NF, near Acton) and several private RV parks in Santa Clarita.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Pick up the OHV-specific map before riding. The USFS Travel Management map and the OHV map are different documents and the OHV map shows single-track and play-area boundaries.
  • Plan around fire restrictions. Angeles NF closes the corridor during high fire danger; spark arresters are mandatory.
  • Run during the cool season. Summer surface temperatures top 100°F and dust is heavy.
  • Adventure Pass required. Buy daily at the kiosk or annually online.
  • The Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers Ranger District (661-269-2935) handles current conditions.
  • Pair Rowher with Texas Canyon for a longer ride.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Rowher Flat OHV Area?
Rowher Flat OHV Area is rated difficult.
When is the best time to visit Rowher Flat OHV Area?
The best months are Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr. Avoid Jul, Aug.
Do you need a permit for Rowher Flat OHV Area?
Yes — a permit is required. It is managed by U.S. Forest Service — check the agency listing for current requirements and fees.
Is there cell service at Rowher Flat OHV Area?
Spotty. Service appears at the staging area and on ridges; drops in canyons.