Rowher Flat OHV Area
General Information
Rowher Flat OHV area is located approximately 10 miles north of the town of Newhall, CA. Take the Antelope Valley Freeway (Hwy. 14) and exit at Sand Canyon. Go north on Sand Canyon to Sierra Highway and turn right. Take Sierra Highway approximately five miles to Rush Canyon access Road. Look for the Rowher Flat sign on the left-hand side of the road.
Rowher Flat is open to motorcycles, ATV's and 4-wheel drive vehicles. No stopping, unloading or OHV riding is permitted on the Rush Canyon access road. Restrooms are available. Spark arresters, mufflers (4WD's) and a valid registration are required for all vehicles.
A National Forest Adventure Pass - available as a Daily Pass for $5 or an Annual Pass for $30 - is required for all support vehicles parked in the Rowher Flat Off-Highway Vehicle Area. To locate an Adventure Pass vendor close to your home, or one located on your route to Rowher Flat, check the Adventure Pass Vendor List on this website.
History:
The Forest Service, in cooperation with Los Angeles County and the State of California (Green Sticker Program), actively manages the 10,000-acre Rowher Flat Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area. It has been popular with Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreationists since the early 1960s. This early use resulted in resource damage and concerns by local residents. Current management is designed to be responsive to environmental needs yet provide you with an excellent opportunity to enjoy the area.
Use at Rowher Flat spans several thousand years into prehistory. Local springs and a diverse landscape provided sufficient water and food to support a Tataviam Indian village on the flats. Ranching, mining, and WW II aircraft landing training activities have also occurred in the area. The closed areas you may encounter as you ride have been set aside to preserve these irreplaceable remnants of our cultural heritage.
Approximately one million dollars have been spent to construct the entrance road, staging areas, restrooms, trails, signs, and to provide trash receptacles. Thirty-seven miles of motorcycle trails, 20 miles of ATV trails, 8 miles of 4-wheel-drive trails, and a 145-acre open area await your discovery. Development of the area will continue, to enhance your OHV opportunities as well as protect the resources.
The successful management of this area requires your continued support and cooperation. Are you interested in becoming a Trail Host or Adopt-a-Trail volunteer? The Trail Host Program enlists volunteers to provide on-site information to other OHV users. The Adopt-a-Trail Program works with groups and organizations to develop projects such as trail construction and maintenance.
