Photo via Lost Jeeps

If you have been thinking about going off-roading and have been looking for a place that isn’t too far from Los Angeles, then look no further than Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. It is located in the Tejon Pass along the Interstate 5 just north of Los Angeles.

Hungry Valley is the state’s second largest unit of land for off- highway motor vehicles. “Hungry Valley offers 19,000 acres and more than 130 miles of scenic trails for motorcycle, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), dune buggies, and 4x4 recreation. All levels of OHV operator skills will be challenged by the wide variety of terrain and trails at Hungry Valley SVRA (California State Parks, 2015).”

The best part about this place is that if one day isn’t enough for you, Hungry Valley offers several camping areas with shelters and fire pits. Each camping area has two bathrooms that are cleaned almost everyday by rangers, which is nice not having to pee in a bush. My favorite site is Lower Scrubs located in the middle of the park.

Off-roading enthusiasts usually limit there riding to the daytime when the trails are clearly visible so nights are fairly quiet except for the occasional coyote howl or daredevil rider who took the challenge of traversing the trails at night.

Nights out in the park are great for stargazing. The surrounding mountains block out light from the nearby cities so the stars are clearly visible for all to see. Check out all the constellations that you know of and maybe learn some new ones before coming up.

Here are some tips and things to know about Hungry Valley:

1. The Best Time To Visit

Photo via totalescape.com

From personal experience, the best time to visit the park is late in May around Memorial Weekend. Even for being a major holiday weekend, the park never gets over packed. Also around November when it isn’t raining is also fun for thanksgiving weekend. It usually isn’t too cold but it’s best to check the weather before heading up because it’s better to be prepared.

2. The Trails

The park has clearly marked trails that they rate from beginner to expert, as well as what type of vehicle can best traverse the trails. For a scenic view of the park, Power line Road is must. It offers a smooth ride for any vehicle or motorcycle, and follows the power lines that are setup all along the hills.

3. The Hidden River

If you take the main road from the ranger station and drive all along it through the park, you will arrive at fork in the road. If you take the path to the right, following it all the way without making any turn offs will lead you to an area that many people come to camp around. Usually the river is pretty full of water and people on hot days. It’s a great place to cool off in the heat of the spring and summer days.

4. Pyramid Lake

Photo via clui.org

If the dirt isn’t your thing than visit Pyramid Lake instead. It’s located just before Hungry Valley SVRA and it’s pretty easy to spot from the interstate. It’s a small lake but it’s a fun place to cool down. There are several spots along the lake that can only be reached by watercraft so plan accordingly.